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a cheese pie cut into pieces on a cutting board.
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4.66 from 23 votes

Savory Cheese Pie (Placinta cu Branza)

Experience the comforting flavors of Romania with this Savory Cheese Pie! With its golden, flaky crust and delightful cheese blend, it offers a bite of simplicity, versatility, and heartwarming tradition.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Pastries, Snack
Cuisine: Romanian
Keyword: cheese pie, placinta cu branza
Servings: 16
Calories: 450kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups feta cheese
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • fresh dill chopped, optional
  • 4 sheets puff pastry

Toppings

  • 1 large egg beaten for egg wash
  • sesame seeds optional

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  • In a bowl, grate the feta cheese, and combine it with ricotta and egg, mixing well. If desired, mix in some fresh, chopped dill for an added layer of flavor.
    process shots showing how to make savory cheese pie.
  • On a lightly floured surface, gently roll out each sheet of puff pastry. At one end of each sheet, evenly spread a quarter of the cheese mixture, and then carefully roll it up, tucking in the ends to encase the filling. Repeat with remaining pastry sheets and cheese mixture.
    process shots showing how to make savory cheese pie.
  • Arrange the rolled pastries on the prepared baking sheet. Brush each pastry with a light coat of egg wash and, if desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds. Pierce the pastries with a fork to create vents or cut with scissors, allowing steam to escape and ensuring a crisp crust.
    process shots showing how to make savory cheese pie.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for approximately one hour or until they are deep golden brown in color.
    process shots showing how to make savory cheese pie.
  • Allow the pies to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve, and savor the rich and flavorful goodness of this traditional Romanian dish.

Notes

  1. Dill Addition: Incorporating fresh dill is optional but highly recommended for an extra layer of flavor.
  2. Sesame Seeds Topping: The addition of sesame seeds is optional but can add a pleasant texture and appearance to the finished pie.
  3. Substitution: If feta is too strong for your taste, you can substitute it with another softer, milder cheese like ricotta or even goat cheese.
  4. Sweet Variation: For a sweet version of this pie, omit feta and dill, and mix ricotta with sugar, egg, and raisins instead.
  5. Parchment Paper Use: Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper is recommended for easy cleanup.

Nutrition

Serving: 2serving | Calories: 450kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 401mg | Potassium: 90mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 251IU | Calcium: 166mg | Iron: 2mg