Why We Love This Croatian Cheese Strukli Recipe
Last spring I spent a couple of weeks in Croatia, driving down the coast, checking natural wonders off my bucket list, and sampling delectable regional dishes and wines. I discovered that Croatian cuisine is rustic yet elegant, packed with local ingredients, and so very comforting. One dish my friend and I could not get enough of is called Strukli, also known as Zagorski štrukli. It is similar to white lasagna, filled with cheese. Yet the pasta dough is a bit more toothy, almost like a dumpling. Believe it or not, you can make a truly fabulous copycat Croatian Cheese Strukli at home, using classic grocery store ingredients. In fact, I found everything I needed to make today’s Croatian Cheese Strukli recipe ! ALDI has such fantastic prices on all my grocery list items, it’s easy to get everything I need and have room left in the budget for wine to accompany our meals.
Ingredients You Need
For the Homemade Dough – you will need flour, eggs, butter and water! Cottage Cheese – fresh cottage cheese adds moisture to the cheese filling Sour Cream – for a creamy texture White Cheddar – add a sharp white cheddar for added flavor Thyme – dried thyme Nutmeg – a touch of nutmeg balances out the flavors Half & Half – to cook the dough and add moisture Salt & Pepper – a pinch of salt and pepper to taste
How to Make Croatian Cheese Strukli
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Brush the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with 1 tbsp of melted butter. Start by making a quick pasta dough. Use a stand mixer with a bread hook to knead the dough for you. Pour flour, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 egg, 1 1/2 tablespoon melted butter, and 2/3 cup water in the stand mixer bowl. Mix on low for 5 minutes, until the ingredients come together into a smooth tacky ball. Let the mixer run another 2-3 minutes to knead the dough. If it seems too dry (not sticky), add 1-2 tablespoons of water. Brush the remaining butter around the dough ball and on the sides of the bowl. Then cover with plastic and let the dough rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a separate large bowl, mis the cottage cheese, 1/2 cup of white cheddar cheese, sour cream, 4 eggs, thyme, garlic powder, nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper together to make the cheese filling. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Lay one piece at a time on a clean work surface. Roll and stretch the dough with a rolling pin into a 9 x 13 inch rectangle. No need to flour the surface. The dough should be thin enough to see light through it. Spread one-quarter of the cheese mixture over the dough. Then starting on a short end, gently fold the dough over 1 1/2 to 2 inches at a time, until it’s rolled into a loose log. Carefully lift the log by the ends and lay it in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with the remaining dough and cheese mixture. Once four logs are arranged in the baking dish, gently cut each lot into 4 equal pieces. Pour half and half over the top and sprinkle on the remaining shredded cheddar. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the tops are puffy and golden-brown, even in the center of the pan. Cut and serve!
Tips & Tricks
Although Croatian Cheese Strukli is best when made with fresh dough, in a pinch, you can add dried lasagna noodles for a quickie-version. No need to boil the noodles, since they will cook in the added liquid in the oven. Don’t worry if the dough breaks a little bit! You want this dough to be as thin as phyllo dough. If it breaks in certain areas, it’s okay, since you are rolling it up at the end. The Croatian cheese strukli is done when it is puffy and golden brown all over the top!
Serving Suggestions
This comforting skrukli recipe can be served on its own, or with some sides to brighten up the meal! Also, I highly recommend serving it with a light rosé wine. Here are some of my personal favorites to serve with this cozy meal:
Chopped Salad Raw Beet and Sweet Potato Salad Artichoke White Bean Salad Roasted Vegetable Polenta Stacks Grilled Fattoush Salad
Looking for More Comforting Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
Seafood Stuffed Shells Croatian Chicken Skillet Skillet Turkey Pot Pie Polish Dill Pickle Soup Hungarian Chicken Paprikash
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by ALDI. All opinions are my own. Share This Recipe With Friends!
