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Kreatopita (Greek Meat Pie) Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 21 reviews
  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Greek

Description

Kreatopita is a traditional Greek savory pie made with layers of flaky phyllo dough filled with a flavorful mixture of ground beef, rice, onions, tomato sauce, and herbs. This hearty and satisfying dish is baked to golden perfection, making it a perfect meal for family gatherings or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Filling

  • 500g ground beef
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup uncooked rice
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Splash of water (approx. 2-3 tbsp)

Phyllo Layer

  • 10 phyllo sheets
  • 1/2 cup melted butter or olive oil

Instructions

  1. Sauté onion: Heat oil in a pan and sauté the finely chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Cook ground beef: Add the ground beef to the pan with the onion and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon.
  3. Add rice and seasonings: Stir in the uncooked rice, tomato sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add a splash of water to prevent sticking and let the mixture simmer gently for 10 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb some liquid.
  4. Prepare phyllo base: Grease a baking dish lightly. Place 5 phyllo sheets one at a time into the dish, brushing each sheet generously with melted butter or olive oil to create flaky layers.
  5. Add meat filling: Spread the cooked meat and rice filling evenly over the layered phyllo base in the baking dish.
  6. Top with phyllo sheets: Layer the remaining 5 phyllo sheets over the meat filling, again brushing each sheet with melted butter or olive oil to ensure they crisp up nicely during baking.
  7. Bake the kreatopita: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the pie for 40 to 45 minutes until the phyllo is golden brown and crisp on top.
  8. Cool and serve: Allow the kreatopita to cool slightly after baking, about 10 minutes, before slicing and serving to help the filling set.

Notes

  • Using olive oil instead of butter can make this dish lighter and add a subtle Mediterranean flavor.
  • Make sure to handle the phyllo sheets carefully as they dry out quickly; cover unused sheets with a damp cloth.
  • The uncooked rice will finish cooking in the oven while baking inside the pie.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or mushrooms.
  • Serve kreatopita with a fresh green salad or tzatziki for a full meal.

Find it online: https://yumrecipesfood.com/kreatopita-greek-meat-pie-recipe/