This is the time of year that I crave a Runza! Have you tried them? They are fresh baked sandwiches filled with meat and cabbage. I learned to love Runzas the years that I lived in Nebraska. That time is close to my heart as it’s where I met my husband!
Runzas are perfect for a Nebraska football game day party. They are also a great way to sneak some cabbage into little bellies as all my kids love this meal!
Runza Recipe
- 5 lbs. hamburger
- 1 large onion (finely chopped)
- 1 head of cabbage (finely chopped)
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 4 teaspoons ground pepper
- 5 batches of bread dough
Fry the beef in a large skillet with the onion until it is brown. Add the cabbage, lower heat to medium low, cover and cook (stirring often) until the cabbage is transparent. Uncover and fry until meat is beginning to crisp. Add salt and pepper.
If you are adventurous and serving a crowd, you can make five batches of bread dough (Frozen bread dough works great too.), make and bake all the Runzas. They freeze very well. I usually make one batch of dough (about 1 1/2 pound loaf per pound of hamburger) in my bread-maker while I cook the meat.
When the dough is ready, separate it into eight equal parts. Roll or press into 4 by 4 inch squares. Put about 1/4 of a cup of meat in the middle of each one. Fold them over like a book and press the edges together. Place seam side down on a baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes (or until lightly browned) at 350 degrees.
I freeze the rest of the filling in 4 freezer safe bags. So the next time I want a Runza, I just take a bag of filling out of the freezer and thaw. Then I make the bread dough, roll, fill, and bake. Enjoy!
YUM!!!! As a fellow Husker : ), we love Runza’s, too, but the budget doesn’t always allow us to head down the street. I’ll have to try this recipe…we have one that is ok, but this one may be better!
On a side note, I got to taste test some 4 new burgers last week for Runza. I’ll have a blog post about it when my hubby gets out of the hospital.
If you make all five batches of dough, you would have 40 runzas? (My math isn’t great.) You didn’t explain exactly how to fold them for people who haven’t had them or don’t remember. Do you fold it in a triangle or over like a book? I can’t tell from the picture. I’ve had them and they are delicious.
You fold them over like a book. Thank you. I updated my post, and hope it’s clear now!
Never heard of them but they sound great. Sneaky little cook 🙂
I have never heard of those. They look like the perfect fall food.
What i’d give for a runza! Thanks for the recipe, gonna try it!
It is in the middle of the night, the house alarm is on, and you have me ready to undo the whole security system and go to the kitchen to cook. These look amazing. Yummy!
Look and sound really good. Please send some so I may taste and smell them.
These look delicious!I’ve never heard of a runza, but they look like a really filling meal. But I wasn’t exactly sure: is one meant to be cut to feed several people (like a loaf) or is each person supposed to eat one?
No, I guess from the pix its obvious-one per person. Will cook tonight for a quick dinner!
My husband is from Nebraska, and is all about runzas. I’ve had them before and made them for him before. But I have to say, they’re not my favorite food.
@Rachel, yes they are each a serving! 🙂
I am going to try these this weekend. I think I will do half beef and half pork for more flavor!