Traditional cheese pies, just like Grandma used to make, only simpler.

That sounds absolutely delicious and comforting! “Grandma’s traditional cheese pies” (often called Tiropita in Greek cuisine, Plăcintă cu brânză in Romanian, or a simple German Käsekuchen variant) are beloved for their rich, creamy filling and flaky, homemade crust—but you want the simpler version!

The secret to simplicity while keeping the traditional flavor is to use store-bought puff pastry or phyllo dough for the crust and focusing on a quick, flavorful cheese filling.

Here is a recipe for Simplified Grandma’s Creamy Cheese Pies (Quick Method), using flaky layers and a savory, easy filling:

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🧀 Simple Creamy Cheese Pies (Tiropita Style)

This recipe uses ready-made phyllo dough for quick assembly while maintaining the traditional flaky texture and savory filling.

📋 Ingredients

Quantity	Ingredient	Notes
1 pack	Phyllo Dough (Filo Pastry)	Thawed overnight in the refrigerator.
3/4 cup (170g)	Butter	Melted, for brushing the phyllo layers.
For the Filling
300g (1.5 cups)	Feta Cheese	Crumbled (essential for the traditional salty flavor).
200g (1 cup)	Ricotta Cheese or Cottage Cheese	Adds creamy texture. Drain excess liquid.
2 large	Eggs	Lightly beaten, for binding the filling.
1/4 cup	Milk or Heavy Cream	For extra creaminess.
2 Tbsp	Fresh Parsley	Finely chopped (optional, for flavor).
Pinch	Black Pepper	Salt is usually unnecessary due to the feta.

🔪 Instructions (Simplified Assembly)

1. Prepare the Filling (5 Minutes)

1. In a medium bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese and the ricotta/cottage cheese.
2. Add the beaten eggs, milk/cream, parsley, and black pepper.
3. Mix everything thoroughly until the filling is homogenous, but still slightly chunky from the feta.

2. Assemble the Pies (10 Minutes)

1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Layer the Bottom: Lay one sheet of phyllo dough into the baking dish. Brush the entire sheet lightly with the melted butter. Repeat this process until you have 6–8 layers forming the bottom crust, brushing butter between each layer.
3. Add Filling: Spread the entire cheese mixture evenly over the layered phyllo dough.
4. Layer the Top: Lay another sheet of phyllo dough on top of the filling and brush with butter. Repeat until you have another 6–8 buttered layers on top.

3. Score and Bake

1. Score: Before baking, use a sharp knife to lightly score the top layers of phyllo into serving squares or diamond shapes. This prevents the top from shattering when you cut the baked pie.
2. Bake: Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until the top is deeply golden brown, crispy, and the filling is set.
3. Cool: Let the pie cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before cutting along the scored lines and serving.

These cheese pies are flaky, creamy, and have that authentic, savory flavor—all thanks to the simple filling and quick phyllo crust!

Would you like a suggestion for a quick, homemade dipping sauce to serve with the pies?