Kreatopita (Greek Meat Pie) Recipe
Kreatopita is a traditional Greek meat pie featuring a savory ground beef and rice filling layered between crispy, buttery phyllo dough sheets. This baked pie offers a delightful blend of tender meat, aromatic herbs, and flaky pastry, perfect for a comforting meal or special gathering.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
Scale
Ground Beef Mixture:
- 500g ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup uncooked rice
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp oregano
Phyllo Dough Layers:
- 10 phyllo sheets
- 1/2 cup melted butter or olive oil
Instructions
- Sauté Onion: In a pan with a splash of oil, sauté the finely chopped onion over medium heat until translucent and fragrant.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan with the sautéed onions and cook until browned, breaking it up into crumbles.
- Add Rice and Seasonings: Stir in the uncooked rice, tomato sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add a small splash of water to prevent the mixture from drying out, then simmer gently for 10 minutes until the rice absorbs moisture and softens slightly.
- Prepare Phyllo Layers: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). In a greased baking dish, layer 5 phyllo sheets, brushing each generously with melted butter or olive oil to ensure crisp and flaky layers.
- Add Meat Filling: Spread the cooked meat and rice mixture evenly over the layered phyllo sheets in the dish.
- Top with Remaining Phyllo: Place the remaining 5 phyllo sheets on top of the filling, brushing each sheet with butter or oil as before to achieve a golden crust.
- Bake Kreatopita: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top phyllo layer is crisp and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the kreatopita from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before slicing into portions and serving warm.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the meat mixture.
- You can substitute ground lamb for beef for a richer taste.
- Ensure phyllo dough remains covered with a damp cloth when assembling to prevent drying out.
- Serve kreatopita with a side of Greek salad or tzatziki sauce for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
Keywords: kreatopita, Greek meat pie, ground beef pie, phyllo pie, savory pie, meat and rice pie, Greek cuisine, baked meat pie, phyllo pastry
Find it online: https://spatulaqueen.com/kreatopita-greek-meat-pie-recipe/
