Runzas are delicious and savory cabbage pockets filled with ground beef, onions, and sauerkraut. They are a popular dish in Nebraska, and can be found at many local restaurants and fairs. If you're looking to try your hand at making runzas at home, there are plenty of recipes available online and in cookbooks. With the right ingredients and a little bit of effort, you can create delicious runzas that will satisfy your taste buds.
Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!
RUNZAS
A white roll stuffed with cabbage, beef and onions.
Provided by klinnea
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Pastries
Time 1h50m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir ground beef and onion until beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease. Stir in cabbage and season with 1 teaspoon salt. Continue to cook and stir until cabbage is tender, about 20 more minutes. Set mixture aside to cool.
- Mix warm water and butter in a large bowl. Combine dry milk powder, sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and yeast in another bowl; stir into butter mixture. Add egg and gradually stir in flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough is smooth.
- Roll dough out to 1/4-inch thick on a lightly floured surface; cut into 4-inch squares. Scoop beef mixture into each dough square. Bring corners of a dough square together at the top and pinch corners together to seal. Place on a baking sheet, seam side down. Repeat with remaining beef mixture and dough. Cover rolls with a damp cloth and allow to rise for 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 243.3 calories, Carbohydrate 31.3 g, Cholesterol 41 mg, Fat 8 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 10.9 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 444 mg, Sugar 6.7 g
EASY CABBAGE POCKETS
I grew up in a town that was filled with Wolgadeutsche, or Germans from Russia. Family members and friends of the family made these cabbage pockets, sometimes called Krautbrot or Bierocks. This is a perfect food for lunches, as it is self contained and freezes well. I have changed it slightly to make it easier to make and enjoy. I love mine served hot, with ketchup for dipping!
Provided by Niki Frick
Categories Main Dish Recipes Savory Pie Recipes Beef Pie Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray muffin cups with cooking spray.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease. Stir onion into ground beef and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add cabbage and reduce heat to low; cook and stir until cabbage has wilted slightly, about 5 minutes more. Pour mixture into colander to strain excess liquid and cool slightly.
- Spray a work surface with cooking spray. Flatten rolls into disc shape with a rolling pin; spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of beef and cabbage filling onto each disc. Fold discs in half around filling, pressing edges together to seal. Gently place in muffin cups, spray tops with cooking spray, and poke with toothpick to allow venting.
- Cook cabbage pockets in preheated oven until dough is browned, 25 to 45 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 170.4 calories, Carbohydrate 22.9 g, Cholesterol 13.1 mg, Fat 5.4 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 7.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 226.6 mg, Sugar 3.9 g
RUNZA
Anyone from Nebraska should know this recipe. I got this particular one from the Minnesotans for Nebraska website. If you don't know what a Runza is, I suggest you either get on the next plane to Nebraska or make this recipe! Prep time differs on how you make your bread.
Provided by Jen Wiehl
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h20m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Thaw two loaves of frozen bread dough or make the equivalent amount using your favorite bread recipe.
- While dough thaws, make the filling.
- Brown the hamburger and drain, then return to pan.
- Add cabbage and onion and cook down.
- Salt and pepper to taste (1 tsp pepper recommended).
- Let dough rise, then punch down and roll a portion to 1/4" thickness.
- Cut into 4" x 8" pieces and add about 1/2 cup meat mixture to each.
- Fold dough pieces over and seal the edges, then place seam-side-down on a greased cookie sheet.
- Let rise 20-30 minutes, then bake in pre-heated 375 degree oven for 20 minutes or until brown.
- Call Nebraska natives not in attendance and gloat (taunting not advised).
RUNZAS/CABBAGE POCKETS
Wonderful recipe that I make all the time. One of those old family recipes. This one is courtesy of "What's for Supper?" cookbook. I use my noodle maker/press to roll out the dough so it cooks evenly.
Provided by Alyssa in Leavenwor
Categories Meat
Time 1h20m
Yield 20 pockets, 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Dough:.
- Measure 1 3/4 cups flour into large bowl.
- Stir in sugar, salt, and yeast.
- Heat water, milk and shortening until warm (120deg).
- Pour into flour mixture; add eggs and beat.
- Stir in rest of flour; knead 3 minutes.
- Cover; let rest 20 minutes.
- Filling:.
- Brown beef; add other ingredients.
- Cook till cabbage is wilted.
- Roll dough thin.
- Cut into 6" squares.
- Put 3 Tblsps of filling in center; bring corners up and seal.
- Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until golden.
RUNZA CABBAGE-BEEF SANDWICH
This is made from scratch. It was handed down to us by a family here in Lincoln, Nebraska. Our children ask for it when they come home for vacation and also ask for it when we go visit them. Its a lot of work, but worth it.
Provided by Mudpie
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 3h12m
Yield 24-32 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Shred cabbage and chop onions while meat is browning in a large pot.
- Add onions and cook until the meat looses its color.
- Then add cabbage, cover and simmer till cabbage is soft, stir often.
- Cool the meat and cabbage so it is easier to place in dough. Cool in frig.
- Soften yeast in water and add rest of ingredients and mix dough. Let rise until double in bulk. Punch down and let it rise again.
- Divide dough in half and roll it to about 3/8" thick.
- Cut into squares about 5" by 6 ". Place cabbage in center of square and bring corner together and pinch together to seal all seams.
- Place seam side down on a greased cookie sheet.
- Bake until golden brown at 425 degrees for about 12 minutes.
- These freeze well, after they cool!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 426.9, Fat 19.4, SaturatedFat 6.8, Cholesterol 81.9, Sodium 282.4, Carbohydrate 39.2, Fiber 3.6, Sugar 8.6, Protein 23.6
CABBAGE BURGERS (RUNZAS)
Make and share this Cabbage Burgers (Runzas) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Anna Haines
Categories For Large Groups
Time 1h55m
Yield 1 serving, 24 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- cook meat with one onion chopped.
- shred and cook cabbage with other onion chopped.
- add meat and cabbage together.
- follow dough directions on box
- roll dough out till pretty thin cut into squares (however big you want them).
- put cabbage and burger in and seal.
- lay seal side down on parchment paper and oven tray.
- brush each with oil
- cover and let rise for 25 minute.
- heat oven at 375 degrees
- cook for 25 minute or until lightly browned.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 249.3, Fat 10.6, SaturatedFat 3.3, Cholesterol 20.1, Sodium 437.2, Carbohydrate 29.1, Fiber 2, Sugar 6.5, Protein 9.1
HIDDEN TREASURES RANCH POCKETS
This delicious and easy recipe is a great way to get your family to eat more veggies. The filling contains zucchini, carrots, cabbage, red pepper, onions, and garlic, yet still tastes so yummy that even the pickiest eaters gobble them up!
Provided by larkspur
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork Ground Pork Recipes
Time 2h25m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Sprinkle the yeast over warm water in a large bowl bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam. Beat in the sugar, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and whole wheat flour with an electric mixer on low for 3 minutes. Stir in the bread flour, a 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, then place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a light cloth and let rise in a warm place (80 to 95 degrees F (27 to 35 degrees C)) until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes.
- While the dough is rising, heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook and stir until the pork is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease. Stir in the ranch dressing mix until meat is well-coated. Add the cabbage, zucchini, onion, red bell pepper, carrot, and garlic. Cook and stir until the vegetables are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Use a knife to divide the dough into four equal pieces-don't tear it. Roll each portion out to an 8-inch square, then cut each large square into four smaller squares. Place about 3 tablespoonfuls of the pork filling into the center of each square. Bring the corners over the filling and pinch to seal. Secure with a toothpick, if needed. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place the pouches on the prepared baking sheet about 3-inches apart. Cover the pouches with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from pan and discard toothpicks. Brush each pocket with melted butter. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 103.8 calories, Carbohydrate 7.8 g, Cholesterol 31.9 mg, Fat 5.2 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 6.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, Sodium 224.3 mg, Sugar 3.2 g
EASY RUNZA CASSEROLE
This is an easy, cheesy casserole version of the great-tasting runza.
Provided by ROSEBUDY23
Categories Main Dish Recipes Casserole Recipes
Time 50m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Melt butter in a deep skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir ground beef until browned, about 5 minutes. Add onion, salt, pepper, and garlic powder; cook until onion softens, 3 to 5 minutes. Add cabbage and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir mushroom soup into the skillet.
- Open crescent roll packages and unroll dough. Press 8 pieces into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour beef mixture on top. Cover with mozzarella and Cheddar cheeses. Place remaining 8 pieces of dough on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown and filling is bubbling, 20 to 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 381.7 calories, Carbohydrate 21 g, Cholesterol 56.8 mg, Fat 24.3 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 17.9 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 775.7 mg, Sugar 4.6 g
SAVORY RUNZAS
Similar and so much like the original runzas. The prep time is long, but well worth the wait. You may add a slice of your favorite cheese if you want to.
Provided by Khadija Danielle Provencher
Categories Main Dish Recipes Sandwich Recipes Beef
Time 2h
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place 1 3/4 cups flour into a bowl. Stir in sugar, yeast, and salt.
- Combine milk, water, and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high until warm (120 to 130 degrees F/50 to 55 degrees C), 2 to 3 minutes.
- Pour heated milk into the flour mixture. Add eggs and beat at low speed for 30 seconds. Switch to high speed and beat for 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining flour. Knead until smooth, about 3 minutes. Cover the bowl with waxed paper and a towel; let rest for 20 minutes.
- Cook ground beef and onion in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until beef is browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
- At the same time, melt butter in a separate skillet over medium heat. Add cabbage and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Add cabbage to beef mixture with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a large baking sheet.
- Roll dough on a lightly floured surface until very thin. Cut into 6 squares or rectangles, whichever you prefer. Place 3 tablespoons beef filling in the center of each shape. Bring corners together, pinch edges to seal, and place right-side up onto the prepared baking sheet. Let rise until an indentation remains when lightly pressed with a finger, 40 to 60 minutes.
- Bake in the preheated oven until dough is done and golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 731.1 calories, Carbohydrate 94.1 g, Cholesterol 97.8 mg, Fat 30.1 g, Fiber 4.1 g, Protein 20.5 g, SaturatedFat 10.1 g, Sodium 676 mg, Sugar 20.2 g
PORK AND CABBAGE POCKETS
I like to welcome my family home on fall days to the aroma of these hearty pork pie pockets. I sometimes double the recipe so I can have leftovers for busy-day dinners. -Jan Smith, Kalispell, Montana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 50m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add shortening, sugar, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook sausage until no longer pink; drain. Add cabbage, onion, water, oregano, cumin, pepper and remaining salt. Cook, uncovered, until vegetables are tender and no liquid remains, about 15 minutes. Cool to room temperature. , Punch dough down. Roll into a 24x12-in. rectangle; cut into eight 6-in. squares. Spoon 1/3 cup filling into the center of each square. Bring corners to the center and pinch to seal; pinch seams together. Place on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes., Brush with melted butter. Bake at 375° until golden brown, 25-30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 405 calories, Fat 19g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 51mg cholesterol, Sodium 558mg sodium, Carbohydrate 47g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 11g protein.
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all of your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and avoid any mishaps.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: The fresher your ingredients, the better your Runzas will taste. Try to use cabbage, ground beef, and other ingredients that are at the peak of their freshness.
- Season Generously: Don't be afraid to season your Runzas generously. Use salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and any other spices that you like. This will help to give your Runzas a lot of flavor.
- Cook the Ground Beef Thoroughly: Make sure that you cook the ground beef thoroughly before adding it to the Runzas. This will help to prevent any foodborne illnesses.
- Let the Runzas Rest: After you have cooked the Runzas, let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the flavors to meld together and will make the Runzas easier to eat.
Conclusion:
Runzas are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or for a special occasion. With a variety of fillings to choose from, there is sure to be a Runza that everyone will enjoy. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give Runzas a try. You won't be disappointed!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love