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A beloved classic from the American Midwest, the Runza is a soft, yeasted bread pocket filled with a savory mixture of seasoned ground beef, tender cabbage, and onions. This all-in-one meal is perfect for hearty lunches, family dinners, or a comforting bite on a cold day. Our recipe guides you through creating the perfect golden-brown crust and a flavorful, juicy filling.
Activate the Yeast & Make the Dough
Prepare the Savory Filling
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A beloved classic from the American Midwest, the Runza is a soft, yeasted bread pocket filled with a savory mixture of seasoned ground beef, tender cabbage, and onions. This all-in-one meal is perfect for hearty lunches, family dinners, or a comforting bite on a cold day. Our recipe guides you through creating the perfect golden-brown crust and a flavorful, juicy filling.
This midwest recipe takes 160 minutes to prepare and yields 8 servings. At 474.36 calories per serving with 24.36g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.
Assemble the Runzas
Bake to Golden Perfection
Mix 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar, Swiss, or provolone cheese into the cooled beef and cabbage filling before assembling.
Sauté 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms with the onions and add 1 cup of shredded Swiss cheese to the cooled filling.
Add 1-2 finely chopped jalapeños or 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the filling along with the cabbage for a spicy kick.
Replace the ground beef with 1 pound of finely chopped mushrooms, cooked lentils, or a plant-based ground meat substitute for a delicious vegetarian version.
Ground beef provides high-quality protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues, supporting muscle mass, and overall body function.
Cabbage is an excellent source of Vitamin C, an antioxidant that boosts the immune system, and Vitamin K, which is crucial for blood clotting and bone health.
The complex carbohydrates from the bread provide a steady source of energy to fuel your day, unlike the quick spike and crash from simple sugars.
A Runza is a bread pocket sandwich originating from Nebraska, with German-Russian roots. It's a yeasted dough pocket typically filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, cabbage, and onions.
A homemade Runza of this size contains approximately 450-500 calories, depending on the leanness of the beef and specific ingredients used.
It's a hearty comfort food. To make it healthier, you can use extra-lean ground beef or turkey, add more vegetables like carrots or bell peppers to the filling, and use part whole wheat flour for the dough.
Yes. After the first rise, you can punch down the dough, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature for about 30-45 minutes before rolling and assembling.
Store cooled Runzas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave for 60-90 seconds until heated through.
Leaking is usually caused by a few things: the filling was too warm, the dough was overfilled, or the seams were not pinched together tightly enough. Ensure the filling is completely cool and leave a small border around the edges when filling to get a good seal.