Štruklji with Cottage Cheese and Herbs
A traditional Slovenian rolled dumpling, often served as a side dish or a light main course. This version features a savory filling of cottage cheese and fresh herbs, encased in a tender dough.

🧂 Ingredients
- 300 g All-purpose flour
- 150 ml Warm water
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tsp Salt
- 400 g Cottage cheese
- 3 tbsp Fresh parsley(chopped)
- 2 tbsp Fresh chives(chopped)
- 1 tbsp Fresh dill(chopped)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 50 g Butter(melted, for serving)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the egg and warm water. Mix until a soft, pliable dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth.
⏱️ 7 minutes - 2
Rest the dough: Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 20 minutes.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 3
Prepare the filling: In a separate bowl, combine cottage cheese, chopped parsley, chives, dill, and black pepper. Mix well.
💡 Tip: Ensure cottage cheese is well-drained to avoid a watery filling. - 4
Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a thin rectangle, about 30x40 cm.
💡 Tip: Aim for a thickness of about 2-3 mm. - 5
Spread the filling: Evenly spread the cottage cheese mixture over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border on the edges.
💡 Tip: Don't overfill, as it will make rolling difficult. - 6
Roll up the dough: Starting from one of the longer sides, carefully roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seams to seal.
💡 Tip: Roll tightly to prevent the filling from escaping during cooking. - 7
Cut the rolls: Cut the log into 3-4 cm thick slices.
- 8
Cook the štruklji: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Gently place the štruklji slices into the boiling water. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until they float to the surface and are cooked through.
⏱️ 20 minutes💡 Tip: Do not overcrowd the pot; cook in batches if necessary. - 9
Serve: Carefully remove the cooked štruklji from the water. Serve immediately, drizzled with melted butter.
💡 Tip: Can also be served with a dollop of sour cream.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer dough, you can substitute some of the water with milk.
- ✓Experiment with different herbs like tarragon or lovage.
- ✓If you don't have cottage cheese, farmer's cheese or ricotta can be used as alternatives, though the flavor will differ.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Sweet version: Use sweetened cottage cheese, add a bit of sugar and lemon zest to the filling, and serve with fruit compote or melted chocolate.
- Add sautéed onions or mushrooms to the savory filling for extra flavor.