Ricotta & Lemon Filo Pie with Courgette, Herbs & Crunchy Seeds

Saffron

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Serves: 2 small pies (lunch for 4 dinner, for 2)

This Ricotta & Lemon Filo Pie with Courgette is everything you want from a light summer dish: zingy, creamy, herby, crunchy and easy to make. It’s vibrant, fresh and absolutely stunning on the table. Whether you’re making it for brunch, lunch, a picnic or a light dinner, this savoury courgette pie is a real crowd-pleaser.

At the heart of the pie is a creamy ricotta filling flavoured with lemon zest, spring onion, and a good handful of fresh herbs like mint, chives and parsley. I’ve kept the filling focused on just one star vegetable this time: courgette. Ribboned into long strips and twirled into beautiful rosettes, the courgette not only adds freshness and colour but also looks seriously impressive in your Ricotta & Lemon Filo Pie.

For extra flavour and crunch, I layered filo pastry with a scattering of sesame seeds and nigella seeds – highly recommend for that added savoury hit. Once baked, the result is a golden, flaky pie with a rich, lemony, herb-studded centre.

It’s the perfect way to use up a glut of courgettes or any random herbs in the fridge. And don’t be afraid to get creative with toppings – add a sprinkle of feta, a drizzle of honey, or even smoked salmon or crispy bacon if you want to make the pie a bit more indulgent.

Ricotta & Lemon Filo Pie with Courgette

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔️ Stunning presentation – Courgette ribbons make this Ricotta & Lemon Filo Pie look like a showstopper with minimal effort.
✔️ Packed with summer flavours – Fresh herbs, lemon zest, and ricotta are a dreamy combination.
✔️ Great for leftovers – Tastes just as delicious the next day, either warm or cold.
✔️ Easy to customise – Swap in your favourite veggies or herbs – it’s super flexible.
✔️ Perfect picnic or brunch dish – Light, savoury, and holds together beautifully.

Ricotta & Lemon Filo Pie with Courgette

FAQs

Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Yes! This filo pie is perfect to make ahead. Bake and store in the fridge, then serve warm or at room temperature.

Can I use puff pastry instead of filo?
Technically yes, but filo gives a much lighter and crispier texture that suits the ricotta filling perfectly. If you use puff pastry, keep an eye on the bake time.

Can I add extra vegetables to the filling?
Absolutely. While this version highlights courgette, feel free to add spinach, roasted peppers, tomatoes, or mushrooms. Just make sure to reduce moisture before mixing into your Ricotta & Lemon Filo Pie.

Is this vegetarian?
Yes, this pie is completely vegetarian as long as you skip optional toppings like bacon or smoked salmon.

Looking for more pie inspiration? Then what about my Caramelised Fennel & Courgette Puff Pastry Pies or Easy Courgette, Leek & Lemon Puff Pastry Pie. Or serve this with even more courgette with this raw courgette salad.

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  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 30 minutes
  • Total time: 44 minutes
  • Serves: 2 small pies (lunch for 4 dinner, for 2)

Easy and stunning Ricotta & Lemon Filo Pie with Courgette ribbons, fresh herbs, lemon zest, and a flaky filo crust. Perfect summer vegetarian lunch or picnic dish.

Ingredients

Pie crust

  • 8 squares filo dough sheets
  • ± 150 ml olive oil
  • a sprinkle of sesame and / or nigella seeds

Filling

  • 250 g ricotta
  • 50 g freshly grated parmesan
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • pepper & salt
  • Mix of fresh herbs , like mint, parsley, chives, koriander, basil etc.
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 large courgette

To serve - your choice of toppings

  • crumbled feta
  • drizzle of honey
  • fresh herbs
  • sprinkle of zaatar

Method

  • 1)

    Preheat the oven to 200°C.

  • 2)

    Using a vegetable peeler of mandolin slice the courgette into ribbons. If it starts crumbling because you reach the seeds, flip the courgette over and do the other side. If the ribbons are very wide you can also halve them, this way they won’t be too high to swirl on your pie.

  • 3)

    Set aside the ribbons and finely chop or grate the core of the courgette which you couldn’t slice. Add this to a large bowl together with the rest of the filling ingredients. Mix well and taste, adjust seasoning to your liking.

  • 4)

    Line a baking tray with baking paper and brush on some olive oil.

  • 5)

    You’ll be making 2 pies on this baking tray, so start working on 1 side.

    Lay 1 sheet of filo pastry onto the oil and brush the top generously with more oil. (If you like, sprinkle on some sesame and nigella seeds in between the layers). Place another sheet on top at a slight angle and brush generously with more olive oil. Repeat with 2 mor2 sheets until you have an 8 pointed star.

    Repeat with the rest of the filo dough sheets to make a 2nd star.

  • 6)

    Dollop half of the mix into the middle of one of the filo pastry stars and gently spread it out to form a circle.

  • 7)

    Scrunch and fold up the sides of the filo dough making sure it creates a wall to keep the filling in. Repeat with the 2nd pastry.

  • 8)

    Get one of the courgette ribbons and twirl this into a small spiral and press into the middle of the filling. Now using this as a base spiral the rest of the ribbons around the middle one until you reach the edge.

  • 9)

    Repeat with the 2nd pie, brush the courgette with some olive oil and sprinkle with sesame and nigella seeds.

  • 10)

    Bake in the oven for 28 – 30 minutes until golden and crispy.

  • 11)

    Remove from the oven, crumble over some feta, tear some extra herb leaves and drizzle over some honey. Enjoy!

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