Kreatopita (Greek Meat Pie) Recipe
Kreatopita is a traditional Greek savory pie made with ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce layered between crispy phyllo dough sheets, baked to golden perfection. This hearty dish combines tender and flavorful meat filling with the delicate crunch of butter-brushed phyllo, making it a perfect comfort food for family meals or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Filling
- 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
- A splash of water
Phyllo Layers
- 10 phyllo sheets
- 1/2 cup melted butter or olive oil
Instructions
- Sauté the onion: Heat a pan with some oil and sauté the finely chopped onion until it becomes soft and translucent.
- Cook the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the pan with onions and cook until it is nicely browned and no longer pink.
- Add rice and seasonings: Stir in the uncooked rice, tomato sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add a splash of water to the mixture and reduce the heat to simmer.
- Simmer the filling: Allow the meat and rice mixture to simmer gently for about 10 minutes so the flavors meld and the rice begins to soften.
- Prepare the phyllo base: Grease a baking dish. Layer 5 phyllo sheets in the dish, brushing each sheet generously with melted butter or olive oil to ensure crispness during baking.
- Spread the meat mixture: Evenly spread the simmered meat and rice filling over the layered phyllo base in the dish.
- Add the phyllo top layers: Place the remaining 5 phyllo sheets over the meat filling, brushing each layer again with melted butter or olive oil to help create a golden, flaky crust.
- Bake the kreatopita: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the pie for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top phyllo layers turn golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and serve: Once baked, allow the kreatopita to cool slightly to set before slicing into portions and serving.
Notes
- If you prefer, substitute olive oil for butter to make the recipe lighter.
- For added flavor, you can include a clove of minced garlic when sautéing the onions.
- Cover unused phyllo sheets with a damp cloth to prevent drying out while assembling.
- Ensure the pie cools for at least 10 minutes to help it hold together when slicing.
- This pie can be reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
Keywords: kreatopita, Greek meat pie, phyllo pie, ground beef pie, savory pie, Greek cuisine
Find it online: https://platedbyemma.com/kreatopita-greek-meat-pie-recipe/
