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This Kreatopita brings together rich ground beef, tender rice, and flaky phyllo layers into a comforting baked dish perfect for weekend dinners or sharing with friends. It offers a satisfying mix of textures and flavors that turns simple ingredients into a crowd-pleaser.
I first made this after a last-minute plan to feed guests and it quickly became a favorite Easter tradition in my family
Ingredients
- Ground beef: adds hearty umami and protein choose lean for less grease
- Onion: brings sweetness and depth finely chopped for even cooking
- Uncooked rice: absorbs flavors and adds body pick a medium grain for best results
- Tomato sauce: gives moisture and a mild acidity use a fresh quality sauce or homemade if possible
- Oregano: offers aromatic herbal complexity choose dried with a strong aroma
- Phyllo dough: creates the signature flaky crust buy from the freezer section and keep covered to prevent drying out
- Melted butter or olive oil: crisps the phyllo and adds richness use good quality for the best flavor
Instructions
- Sauté onion:
- Cook finely chopped onion in a pan with some oil over medium heat until soft and translucent about five minutes this builds sweetness
- Brown ground beef:
- Add ground beef to the softened onion and cook while breaking it apart until fully browned no pink should remain this step develops the base flavor
- Add rice and seasonings:
- Stir in uncooked rice tomato sauce oregano salt and pepper to the beef mixture add a couple tablespoons of water to keep the rice moist then simmer gently for ten minutes the rice will start to soften and soak up flavors
- Prepare phyllo layers:
- Lightly grease or butter your baking dish then place five sheets of phyllo one at a time brushing each generously with melted butter or oil this creates a crisp base
- Add meat filling:
- Spread the cooked beef and rice mixture evenly over the layered phyllo base smoothing it out for an even layer
- Top with phyllo sheets:
- Layer the remaining five phyllo sheets over the meat again brushing each sheet with butter or oil this seals the filling and creates a golden top crust
- Bake:
- Place the dish in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius or 350 Fahrenheit Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is golden brown and crisp
- Cool and slice:
- Let the kreatopita rest for about ten minutes before slicing this helps the layers set and makes serving easier
My favorite ingredient here is the phyllo dough its almost magic how something so thin creates such a crispy rich shell. I remember family gatherings where the smell of baking phyllo was like a warm welcome in the kitchen
Storage tips
Store leftover kreatopita covered in the refrigerator for up to three days it reheats well in a moderate oven to keep crispness. Avoid microwaving unless you like soggy phyllo sheets.
Ingredient swaps
Try ground lamb or turkey instead of beef for a different flavor profile. Use fresh herbs like parsley or thyme if you prefer over oregano to suit your taste.
Serving ideas
Serve with a simple cucumber yogurt salad or a fresh tomato and feta salad for a lighter complement. A drizzle of lemon juice brightens the dish nicely before serving.
This kreatopita is a rewarding dish that combines simple ingredients with layered textures for a memorable meal.
Frequently Asked Recipe Questions
- → What type of meat works best for this dish?
Ground beef is preferred for its rich flavor and texture, but ground lamb can be used as a variation for more depth.
- → How do you prevent the phyllo dough from drying out?
Brushing each phyllo sheet with melted butter or olive oil keeps the layers moist and helps achieve a crispy, golden finish.
- → Can the rice be substituted or omitted?
Rice adds body and absorbs sauce; you can substitute with bulgur or omit it for a less dense filling.
- → What oven temperature is ideal for baking this pie?
Baking at 180°C (350°F) allows the filling to cook evenly and the phyllo to brown perfectly without burning.
- → How long should the pie cool before slicing?
Allowing the pie to cool slightly for about 10 minutes helps it set, making slicing easier and neater.