Fluffy, golden squares of fillo pastry, filled with perfectly baked ricotta and cream. Of the million ways to use ricotta, this easy ricotta and fillo bake is one of my all-time favourites!
Not only is this dish incredibly easy to make, it uses just a few simple ingredients, letting the ricotta shine. It's also suitable for vegetarians!

I love making this as an appetizer before a feast, but it truly does not last long! Served fresh from the oven, these ricotta and fillo squares are pillowy, creamy, fluffy bites of goodness - true comfort food! If you are familiar with Balkan food, this recipe will remind you of pita or gibanica!
Traditional Serbian pita or gibanica typically has individual sheets of fillo, layered with some variation of a cheese and egg mixture. It sometimes also has meat or spinach. My Serbian husband's grandmother could probably roll out handmade, perfectly paper thin sheets of fillo in her sleep! But alas, you can still make a delicious, simple version of pita at home without whipping out the rolling pin! All you need is a few simple ingredients.

This ricotta and fillo bake is really just a cheat's version of traditional Serbian pita or gibanica. I say cheat's version because making your own fillo pastry from scratch can be a challenge - especially when trying to stretch the dough out to be paper thin while trying not to puncture it. As many legendary chefs have opined, life is just too short to make your own fillo! Some things are best left to the maestros. But this ricotta fillo bake is so moreish and comforting that you will totally feel like a maestro.
The trick to this ricotta and fillo bake is the filling. You just need an unholy amount of ricotta, some cream, a dash of milk and a pinch of salt. That's it! Spread out over some fillo, roll it up, and bake to golden perfection! The hardest part of this recipe is waiting for everything to cool down. (Just ask my husband who always has to try a piece straight out of the oven - for a taste test, of course!)








Serve this ricotta and fillo bake for your next gathering, as an appetizer for your next big holiday feast, or a great make-ahead dish to bring to a party. It's also a huge hit with the kids! It makes for a quick breakfast full of healthy fats, a snack after school, or something delicious to wake up to on the weekend.
I like to cut this ricotta and fillo bake into squares and serve warm. It pairs perfectly with a nice cold glass of jogurt - a Serbian drink that is like a thinned-down Greek yogurt. I sometimes make my own by mixing plain Greek yogurt with some milk to get a 'drinkable' consistency. Ayran is the Middle Eastern version which would also work nicely, as would straight-up buttermilk, or just plain milk! Let it be known this is not a lactose friendly dish (sorry my lactose intolerant friends!)

If you are a fellow cheese-lover, then you'll want to make a double batch (yes, they really are that good!). Your future self will thank you. I truly do hope you enjoy this recipe! xxx
Delicate sheets of fillo pastry filled with creamy ricotta and baked to golden perfection. This easy, delicious, cheat's version of traditional Serbian pita or gibanica is a guaranteed hit for any occasion!
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