Last Update: 4/25/2025

Looking for a delicious traditional Greek meat pie recipe? You will love this kreotopita!

Seriously, I made this Greek mince meat pie with phyllo dough for my personal chef clients for 14 years and it was one of my most popular dishes!

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Why You’ll Love This Greek Meat Pie

It’s Bursting with Greek Flavors

This traditional Greek dish is seasoned with warm spices and seasonings like cinnamon, paprika, oregano, and coriander.

Feta adds an additional layer of yumminess and then it’s all wrapped in crispy phyllo.

It’s Fun

Kreatopita and most pies in Greek cuisine are savory dishes. That alone is fun to me.

They can be made into different shapes (more fun). And everyone is always excited when the phyllo meat pie is set on the table.

It’s Beautiful

This is one of my favorite Greek recipes to make for other people. Whether you twist it into a rustic spiral (snail shell), make phyllo triangles, or layer it in a casserole dish, the result is impressive.

It’s Versatile

You’ll find traditional kreotopita in local restaurants and as a street food in Greece.

So, basically, you can eat this Greek pie any time of day. It can be the perfect Greek appetizer, a special lunch, or you can even make it ahead for the main course of a weeknight dinner.

Kreatopita Ingredients & Substitutions

There is room for flexibility in this recipe. Here are a few suggestions for the main ingredients.

Ground Meat

In Athens, you’ll find traditional Greek meat pies are made with ground lamb, ground beef, or a meat mixture of the two.

I use ground beef. However, if you prefer, you can sub any ground meat or combination of ground meats for the beef.

Tomato Passata

Tomato passata is pureed uncooked tomatoes that have been strained so it is perfectly smooth. If they don’t have it at your grocery store, you can usually find it in Mediterranean markets. Or substitute it with tomato puree or tomato paste mixed with water.

Seasonings

To make the Greek-style meat filling, there are a number of spices and seasonings required. If eliminate any of them it will alter the taste, but it will most likely still be a delicious Greek pie.

Feta Cheese

Some Kreatopita recipes don’t include feta, so feel free to omit it if you’re not a fan. I happen to be a big fan of Greek cheeses. If there’s ever an option, I’ll choose to add it.

Also, the feta helps the meat stick together better if you’re making triangle pies or snail shaped.

Greek Yogurt

If you are used to using melted butter between the phyllo layers, you can use that method instead of the traditional yogurt and egg that kreatopita uses.

Phyllo Dough

Phyllo dough (also filo dough) is the traditional dough for most Greek pies and those in Mediterranean cuisine in general.

If you prefer puff pastry, you will probably need to make the dish in a casserole pan.

Pro Tip: Phyllo dough defrosts best in the refrigerator over night. If sealed up well, it will also keep for a week defrosted in the refrigerator. Do not force it to defrost by putting it in the microwave; you will make phyllo mush.

Greek Meat Pie Recipe

Servings: 8

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/4 cup tomato passata or puree
1 1/2 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped green onion
1/2 c crumbled feta cheese
2 large eggs
1/4 c greek yogurt
9 sheets of phyllo dough
olive oil spray

Instructions For Filling

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan on medium-high heat.

2. When oil is hot, add the onions and cook for approximately 5 minutes

3. When onions are soft and brown, reduce to medium heat, and add garlic, salt, paprika, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and oregano and stir well.

4. Add the tomato passata and stir until onions are completely coated.

5. Add ground beef, and break up the meat
into small pieces as it cooks.

6. When meat is cooked through, stir in parsley and green onions.

7. Drain any excess fat, and transfer to a bowl for quicker cooling, and set it aside.

8. When the meat mixture is room temperature, add in feta.

Instructions for Assembling Pie

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a small bowl, beat the eggs and then add the Greek yogurt a little at a time while whisking.

3. Divide meat into 3 equal piles.

4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

5. Lay out the stack of phyllo sheets on a clean, dry surface and cover it with a slightly damp (not wet) cloth or dish towel.

6. Place one sheet of phyllo dough on the sheet pan. Spray it with olive oil spray and place a second sheet of dough on top of the first. Lightly brush dabs of the yogurt mixture onto the second phyllo pastry. Add a third sheet of phyllo.

7. Take 1/3 of the meat and spread it about an inch from the edge.

8. Fold the inch over the meat and start to loosely roll until you are out of phyllo.

9. Twist the long roll to start your snail shape. When done, spray it with olive oil spray.

10. Repeat the phyllo-meat mixture process two more times until you are out of meat.

11. On the last third, leave a little excess dough at the end that you can tuck under.

12. Fill in spaces with a little of the yogurt mixture.

13. Bake for 35-40 minutes until dough is golden brown.

14. Let the pie cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

Serving Greek Meat Pies

Garnishing

Personally, I think this phyllo pie doesn’t need a garnish. If you disagree, you can sprinkle some sesame seeds on top of the pie before it goes into the oven.

Serving

Cut your pie into triangle slices like you would a dessert pie with pie crust.

Side Dishes

When I serve kreatopita as as a main course, I choose Mediterranean dishes as the sides. Try one or more of these:
Greek Bruschetta
Tzatziki
Garlic Hummus
Lebanese Bulgur Wheat
Tomato, Cucumber, and Onion Salad

For more Greek meze and pie recipes, read Greek Appetizer Recipes.

Desserts

Read Greek Desserts for the perfect sweets after any meal.

Best Greek Meat Pie Recipe with Phyllo: Kreatopita