Name: Slovenian Cheese Dumplings (Štruklji)
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: serves 6 people
Cuisine: Slovenian
Ingredients: Simple Phyllo (Filo) Dough; 500 g (2 cups) cottage cheese or ricotta; 2 eggs; 180 g (2/3 cup) sour cream; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tbsp Creamy Wheat Farina; 3 tbsp unsalted butter; 60 g (1/3 cup) breadcrumbs

Slovenian Cheese Dumplings (Štruklji)

Cottage Cheese Struklji or Cheese Dumplings are our favorite Slovenian side dish. We love making them from scratch with homemade filo pastry, cottage cheese, and sour cream. This recipe works great with store-bought Filo Pastry Ready Rolled Sheets too, but homemade is better. This simple recipe will take you less than an hour to make, and you can easily freeze them or store them in the fridge, so they make a great make-ahead treat too. Serve these Struklji as a savory side dish with meat and sauce, or serve them as a dessert with cream and sweet breadcrumbs.

Fantastic Homemade Struklji

These are the top reasons why we believe you're going to love this Slovenian side dish recipe.

your taste buds will do a happy dance when trying this dish for the first time
the topping is slightly (naturally) sweet, thanks to the cottage cheese and sour cream
the filo pastry holds the topping perfectly, maintains the shape, and it's beautifully cooked
it takes less than one hour to make it
offers a lot of options for serving (as a side or dessert)
kids and adults love it (our toddler is always incredibly excited when we're making Štruklji)
they keep well, and we can freeze them too
feel free to use store-bought filo pastry or homemade from scratch

Tips and tricks for easier Cheese Dumplings preparation

Here are some tips and tricks for easier preparation of homemade Cheese Dumplings from scratch. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to leave a question below, and we will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.

I want a more filling pastry dough - in that case, add an egg to the homemade filo pastry recipe but reduce the amount of water by 60 ml (1/4 cup).
My filo pastry sticks to the working surface. Always dust the working surface and kitchen towel generously with flour and grease the clingfilm if using.
For the topping, choose cottage cheese or ricotta. The latter will be creamier. Instead of sour cream, feel free to use skyr. Instead of farina, we can use semolina too.
If you plan on using a clingfilm instead of a kitchen towel, use a heat-proof clingfilm that is appropriate for cooking. Using the tines of a fork, prick the clingfilm to prevent inflating.
Feel free to make the Struklji in a steam oven too. Preheat the steam oven to 120 °C or 250 °F (100% steam). Place the struklji into a deep baking dish. Add 200ml (1 cup) of water and cook for 30 - 40 minutes.
Cut the dumplings with a serrated bread knife to prevent any tearing and get beautiful slices.

What to serve with Slovenian Cheese Dumplings (Štruklji)

Struklji or Cheese Dumplings can be served as a savory side dish with different main dishes, or you can serve them as a dessert with whipping cream and toasted breadcrumbs. Serve them with one of these mouthwatering mains:

Storing and freezing

There are two ways to store these tasty Cheese Dumplings.

Keep the chilled homemade Cheese Dumplings, in the fridge, for up to 3 days. Before serving, fill a pot with 1-inch water. Add in the dumplings and cook until the dumplings are warm. Or, reheat them in a bowl placed over a pot filled with boiling water.

Feel free to freeze the Cheese Dumplings too. Place it in a freezer-friendly container and place it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature (or in the fridge overnight). Before serving, fill a pot with 1-inch water. Add in the dumplings and cook until the dumplings are warm. Or, reheat them in a bowl placed over a pot filled with boiling water.

How to make Slovenian Cheese Dumplings (Štruklji) at home (VIDEO)

Check this quick video to master making Slovenian Cheese Dumplings at home.

Try these delicious cottage cheese or ricotta recipes too

Ingredients

filo pastry

Simple Phyllo (Filo) Dough

topping

500 g (2 cups) cottage cheese or ricotta

2 eggs

180 g (2/3 cup) sour cream

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp Creamy Wheat Farina

serving idea (optional)

3 tbsp unsalted butter

60 g (1/3 cup) breadcrumbs

Tools and equipment

bowl

spatula

rolling pin (for homemade pastry)

kitchen towel

string

pot

METHOD

pastry

Start by making the pastry for the Struklji. Follow our recipe, make the pastry and place it in a freezer bag or wrap it in clingfilm. Place in the fridge for 1 hour. Or use store-bought Filo Pastry Ready Rolled Sheets.
topping

In a bowl, stir to combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, salt, and farina. Use a spatula to mix into a smooth mixture.
homemade pastry and topping

Divide the pastry in half. Place a kitchen towel onto a clean working surface. Dust the kitchen towel with flour. Place the filo pastry onto the dusted towel and roll it into a 35 cm x 50 cm (14-inch x 20-inch) rectangle. Cut off the thick edge on top and the bottom of the dough. Spread half of the cottage cheese all over the pastry, leaving about 5 cm (2-inch) edge on top.

Tip

Feel free to use the same size store-bough fresh filo pastry.
roll into a strukelj

Starting at the bottom of the pastry, begin rolling the dumpling into a swiss roll shape. Make sure to tightly roll the dumpling to prevent any filling leakage. Wrap the strukelj in a kitchen towel tightly, then press the ends together and tie with a string to get a wrapped bonbon shape. Repeat the process with the rest of the pastry and filling.

Tip

Instead of a kitchen towel, feel free to use a clingfilm that is heat-proof. In that case, grease the clingfilm with oil or butter before using it.
cook

Pour 2 liters (8 cups) of water into a big pot. Add a teaspoon of salt and place over high heat. Bring to a boil. Carefully add the wrapped dumplings into the pot, making sure the dumplings are entirely covered by water. Simmer for 30 minutes, covered with a lid. Carefully transfer the cooked cheese dumplings from the pot to a baking sheet, set aside for 15 minutes, then carefully unwrap and cut into slices.
serving idea (optional)

Add butter to a skillet and place over medium heat. When the butter melts, add the breadcrumbs. Cook for 3 - 4 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with Struklji.

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