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Zagorski Štrukli: Traditional Croatian Cheese-Filled Pastry Recipe

Croatia Štrukli is a beloved dish from Croatia’s northern region, enjoyed across the country for its comforting, savory flavor.

This version combines a quick boiling step and baking for a tender, golden result that’s rich and satisfying.

Fair warning: it’s quite filling — perfect as a hearty side or a main for a cool day.

The flavor profile is reminiscent of classic mac and cheese: creamy, savory, and homey. It’s ideal for winter evenings or any time you crave comfort food.

Traditional Štrukli dough can be an art to prepare from scratch. For convenience and consistent results, this recipe uses rolled puff pastry dough, which yields an excellent texture and saves time.

A helpful tip: use the edge of a plate to cut the rolled dough into uniform pieces. It creates neat, pocket-like portions that hold the filling well.

Croatia Strukli

This recipe is adapted for home cooks wanting an approachable version of Zagorski Štrukli without complicated dough techniques.

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Croatia Zagorski Štrukli (Cheese filled pastry)

Course
Side Dish
Cuisine
Croatia
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8
Author
International Cuisine

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. puff pastry dough
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ lb. feta cheese
  • ½ lb. farmers cheese (ricotta or cottage cheese can be used; ricotta works very well)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry as thin as possible into a long rectangle.
  • In a bowl, combine two eggs, the feta, the farmers (or ricotta) cheese, and salt to taste. Mix until even.
  • Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the rolled pastry.
  • Roll the pastry tightly into a long log.
  • Using the edge of a plate or a sharp knife, cut the log into roughly 2-inch (5 cm) pieces.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil.
  • Carefully add the pieces to the boiling water and cook for about 5 minutes. Remove them with a slotted spoon and transfer to a greased glass baking dish or individual ramekins.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining egg, sour cream, and salt to taste.
  • Pour the sour cream mixture over the boiled pieces, spreading evenly. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and set.
  • Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm.