This easy cheese pie with kataifi pastry and Roquefort is a real treat. Fluffy and crunchy with a creamy, a little tangy filling, it should not be missed.
What is kataifi pastry
Kataifi pastry is shredded phyllo dough. It is the same pastry as regular phyllo but processed into thin strands for a slightly disheveled tangled texture. Kataifi pastry is the base for many crunchy, sticky desserts across the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
In Greece, kataifi pastry is usually stuffed with chopped nuts like walnuts or pistachios and scented with orange or rose water in a honey syrup. This phyllo dough is perfect for creating savory pastries. I love to use it for making cheese pies. The unique texture of this shreedded phyllo pastry is lighter than regular phyllo sheets and allows the cheese filling to really shine.
How to make this savory pie
This kataifi cheese pie has lots of feta cheese, a little Roquefort, shredded mozzarella, eggs, butter, and fresh herbs. I love the tangy flavor Roquefort cheese adds to it. You only need a little bit for a great payoff.
The milk and heavy cream are mixed with the eggs and create a custard poured all over the pie right before baking. The result is a fluffy, creamy, luxurious cheese pie that is decadent and a real treat.
You will need
- Kataifi pastry
- Butter
- Eggs
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Roquefort cheese
- Greek feta cheese like Vikos or Dodoni
- Mozzarella cheese
- Thyme leaves
- Chili flakes
Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
This is my process:
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Mix three of the eggs, all the crumbled/shredded cheese, and a pinch or two chili pepper flakes in a bowl.
Butter the pan bottom and sides.
Divide the kataifi into two equal parts and spread one part in the pan. Gently open it up with your hands to spread evenly on the bottom of your pan.
Add all the cheese filling on top.
Melt the butter.
Add the rest of the kataifi phyllo on top. Spread it around as evenly as you can. Pour the melted butter all over.
Lightly whisk the other three eggs, the milk, and the heavy cream. Pour the liquid all over the cheese pie.
Bake for 60 minutes in a 350F oven.
Let the pie cool for 10 minutes and serve.
What to serve with this savory pie
This delicious Greek pie can be a main dish, a great side, or a delicious appetizer if cut into smaller pieces.
Because it is rich and decadent, I love pairing a piece with a large green salad or a briam-greek ratatouille and enjoy it for dinner. It can also be a great side to a roasted chicken with lemon potatoes.
Whatever you choose to serve it with, I am confident you can't go wrong!
Tips & substitutions
- Kataifi can be found in most Middle Eastern food markets, supermarkets and specialty stores. It is usually sold frozen.
- Shredded phyllo pastry dries out quickly. Keep the amount you are not using under a damp kitchen towel while you are assembling the pie.
- Thawed kataifi pastry keeps about a week if stored in the refrigerator. It should be under a damp towel and wrapped tightly in a plastic wrap.
- Feel free to use any blue cheese you like. I love Roquefort, but it is not always available. I have also used gorgonzola, stilton, and danish blue cheese I have found in my local cheese shop.
- Use the best feta you can find. I always buy Greek feta; I like Dodoni and Vikos brands. Please avoid fat-free french feta as well as the packaged crumbled versions that are sold in supermarkets. They are not real feta cheese.
- You can substitute any cheese that melts well for the mozzarella. Use Swiss, Emmental, or even Gouda. Try to get a mild-flavored cheese; you want the delicate but tangy Roquefort flavor to come through.
- You can make this cheese pie with regular phyllo sheets or with your favorite pie crust.
Helpful Q&A
Roquefort is a sheep milk cheese from Southern France and is one of the world's best-known blue cheeses. Though similar cheeses are produced elsewhere, EU law dictates that only those cheeses aged in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon may bear Roquefort's name recognized geographical indication or has a protected designation of origin.
My advice would be to purchase a block of cheese and shred it yourself. In the packaged shredded cheese we find in the grocery stores, cellulose is added to block out the moisture that causes pieces of cheese to clump. I definitely prefer my cheese to be without any of that! Also, grating your own cheese from a block of cheese is cost-effective compared to purchasing bags of pre-shredded.
You may also like:
- This Greek cheese pie – tiropita recipe has simple ingredients, and it is guaranteed to be a hit.
- These super flaky feta cheese puff pastries are a quick-and-easy appetizer that will disappear within minutes from your table.
- This sweet & savory bell pepper pie is super easy to make with phyllo, feta, and extra virgin olive oil.
- This lovely yellow squash tart is super easy and ready in 40 minutes.
Check out my Greek pantry staples
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Easy Cheese pie with Kataifi Pastry & Roquefort
Equipment
- 11" x 8" baking pan
Ingredients
- 1 lbs kataifi pastry
- 1 cup butter
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup Roquefort cheese
- 2 cups feta crumbled Greek feta cheese like Vikos or Dodoni
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- thyme sprigs
- chili pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven at 350°F
- Lightly butter the bottom and sides of your pan.
- Crumble the feta and Roquefort and shred the mozzarella.Melt the butter in a small sauce over medium heat or in the microwave.
- In a bowl, mix three of the eggs, all the cheese, 1 tablespoon thyme leaves, and a pinch or two chili pepper flakes.
- Divide the kataifi pastry into two halves. Spread one half in the pan. Gently pull the phyllo to cover the bottom of the pan evenly.
- Pour the cheese filling on top.
- Add the other half of the pastry. Gently pull the sheets to cover the filling evenly. Pour the melted butter all over phyllo.
- In a bowl, mix the remaining three eggs with the milk and heavy cream. Pour the liquid all over the pie.
- Bake for about 60 minutes.
- Wait 10 minutes for pie to cool down a little and serve.
Nutrition
Would surely love to make this cheesy and delicious Pie. Cheesy Pies are my all time favorite. Thanks
This is definitely a delicious and easy dish to make for everyone for dinner. I will save and will prepare all the ingredients, thank you!
Ooooooh ... I'm so excited! I've never actually worked with kataifi pastry, but I do love its "disheveled tangled texture"! And I for sure love Roquefort - this cheese pie is a perfect first project for working with kataifi! Thanks for the great tutorial!
Totally drooling over this cheese pie. Learnt alot about the pastry too. I would love to soon try this out. Thanks for detailed recipe.
This looks so fun and delicious! The texture would be so interesting with the kafaiti. And all that cheese sounds like heaven.
This is such a new concept to me. Totally loved the texture and taste. So making it again definitely.
Roquefort is one of my favorite cheeses so I was super excited to try this recipe. It is absolutely delicious and full of flavor! So much fun to make and the perfect comfort food for the winter months!
Wow! I have never heard of this dish. I am a fan of Greek food. There are so many recipes on your blog I want to try.
I've never seen such interesting cheese pie! I looks so unique and amazing! Very interesting texture!
I've only had kataifi pastry in baklava but this cheese pie looks so good, I'd love to try it. I'm not sure I can buy the pastry here in Italy. But I found a recipe on how to make it at home. I think I'll try that!