A fluid filter assembly for pressurized fluids includes a simplified construction involving the use of a molded, integral nutplate fabricated out of a glass reinforced nylon material. The molded nutplate is used in combination with an outer housing and a generally cylindrical filter cartridge which is positioned within the housing. The nutplate provides flow inlet apertures, a flow exit conduit and an inserted stem extending into the filter cartridge and being designed and arranged so as to establish a fluid-tight interface with a molded endplate disposed over the upper end of the filter cartridge. The lower end of the filter cartridge employs a molded endplate design which includes projecting feet to position the filter cartridge within the outer housing and to establish the desired axial depth. The design, including the molded nutplate, substantially reduces the number of component parts required for prior art filter assembly designs and results in fewer processing steps being required. The specific configuration of the nutplate and the manner in which it is secured to the outer housing causes all pressurized fluids to be contained beneath the nutplate. As a result, pressurized fluid cannot pass and create a downward load on the outer diameter of the nutplate.