This Runza Recipe is made with already prepared frozen roll dough and browned ground beef mixed with onion, cabbage and seasoned with salt and fresh ground black pepper. The end result is absolutely delicious, quick and much easier than mixing the dough from scratch.
These are always a hot commodity and a huge hit with family and friends. I love to serve them with Easy Vegetable Soup, Creamy Dill Pickle Soup, and French Onion Soup.
How to make Runzas
Start by taking the frozen roll dough out of the freezer and placing on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Space them several inches apart. Then cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until double in size. This can take up to several hours so plan accordingly.
Meanwhile brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. When the beef is about halfway browned add the butter, onion and cabbage. Then cook until the beef is browned and onions and cabbage are soft. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Now using your fingers work each dough ball into a circle patty looking like a miniature pizza dough. Next scoop a rounded spoonful of hamburger mix into the center of the dough. Then using your fingers bring up the edges of the dough and pinch to close. Now gently roll the dough ball in your hands to smooth the pinching. Place back on the parchment paper seam side down. Continue working until all the dough balls are filled. Cover again with plastic wrap for about 30 minutes. Then whisk together the eggs and milk. Gently and lightly brush the balls with the egg wash. Bake for about 20 minutes in a preheated oven.
Recipe notes and helpful tips for Runzas
- Timing is important with this recipe so plan ahead knowing that your dough needs several hours to rise. On the flip side if it rises too fast and you are not prepared yet pop it in the refrigerator for up to an hour.
- Rhodes brand ready made frozen roll dough is available in the frozen food section at most local grocery stores. I have always found it a good product but I am sure there are other good brands you can use as well.
- Finely chop the onions and cabbage so the mixture is easy to stuff in the dough.
- Don’t skip the egg wash. It really makes them look so bakery fresh.
- A true Nebraska runza does not have cheese in it however a little sprinkle of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese is delicious. Add it right on top of the spooned in meat mixture before pinching up the dough.
Can you use fresh yeast roll dough?
Feel free to use your favorite yeast dinner roll recipe, It will work just as well and may even taste better. After rolling the dough into balls place on parchment covered baking sheets with several inches between each ball. Then cover with plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Follow the rest of the instructions as written. Be sure to allow time for the runzas to rise again for 30 minutes after stuffing and don’t forget to use the egg wash for that delectable fresh bakery appearance.
Other sandwich recipes you will love!
- Reuben Sandwich
- Italian Beef Sandwiches
- Monte Cristo Sandwich
- Grilled Meatloaf Sandwich
- Po Boy Sandwich
- Italian Pressed Sandwich
Easy Runzas
Nebraska style Runzas are made easy with ready made frozen roll dough and a delectable five ingredient beef filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes plus rising time
- Yield: 18 runza 1x
- Category: lunch
- Method: stovetop/bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 16 Rhodes rolls (frozen unbaked roll dough)
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cups finely chopped cabbage
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Place frozen rolls several inches apart on parchment covered baking sheets. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise at room temperature until double in size. This can take 3-5 hours so plan accordingly.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. When the beef is about halfway browned add the butter, onion and cabbage. Then cook until the beef is browned and onions and cabbage are soft. Let it cool for a few minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Using your fingers work each dough ball into a circle patty looking like a miniature pizza dough. Scoop a rounded spoonful of hamburger mix into the center of the dough. Using your fingers bring up the edges of the dough and pinch to close. Roll gently between your hands to work the seams. Place back on the parchment paper seam side down. Continue working until all the dough balls are filled. Cover with plastic wrap for 30 minutes.
- Whisk together the egg and milk. Gently and lightly brush the dough with the egg wash. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown rotating the baking sheet halfway through.
Notes
- Timing is important with this recipe so plan ahead knowing that your dough needs several hours to rise. On the flip side if it rises too fast and you are not prepared yet pop it in the refrigerator for up to an hour.
- Rhodes brand ready made frozen roll dough is available in the frozen food section at most local grocery stores. I have always found it a good product but I am sure there are other good brands you can use as well.
- Finely chop the onions and cabbage so the mixture is easy to stuff in the dough.
- Don’t skip the egg wash. It really makes them look so bakery fresh.
- A true Nebraska runza does not have cheese in it however a little sprinkle of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese is delicious. Add it right on top of the spooned in meat mixture before pinching up the dough.
Keywords: runza sandwich, homemade runzas, how to make runzas
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Marty
Can theses be frozen and reheated?
Beth Pierce
Yes they can. Thaw in the fridge overnight and to reheat wrap the sandwich in foil, place on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes.
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This Runza Recipe is looks perfect!
★★★★★
Erin
These look incredible! I can’t wait to give them a try! So fun, too.
Allyson Zea
These are so flavorful and delicious! I loved them!
★★★★★
Toni
Oh! This is so good! And so easy to make, too!! I love it!
★★★★★
Cathy
Love the idea of making these as a side dish!
Chris Collins
I’ve actually never had Runzas before but they look right up my street! Will definitely give them a go on the weekend 🙂
★★★★★
Andrea
These Runzas look fantastic and I love how easy they are to make.
★★★★★
Tara
I love how you made these runzas using frozen dough. They look so good and that filling sounds amazing! Yum!
★★★★★
Mahy
I don’t think I’ve ever made runza before. Such a great recipe to keep handy throughout a busy week!
★★★★★
Michelle Boule
My friend keeps talking about runzas, i’ll need to make these soon!
★★★★★
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
So yummy! These make the perfect snack or light meal! I love finding different uses for cabbage and this is a good one!
★★★★★
Amanda Livesay
Such a yummy simple dinner! My kids love them.
★★★★★
Pam
Approximately how large is your dough circle before filling it?
Beth Pierce
4-5 inches
Debbie
We put cheese in them also
Heidi Weinert
I live in Lincoln and I always get the cheese Runza when I go through the drive through.
PAPPAW
I lean more to the German Bierocks and use half and half cabbage to sauerkraut! Also some extra spice to bring out the beef flavors!
★★★★★
Jenny
My Dad was from Scottsbluff, Nebraska. I will make some Runza and think of dear Fritz. Thank you!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Jenny! Enjoy!!
Michelle
I’ve been making these for years this way. You can use tue Rhodes bread loaf too to adjust tue size of your runzas. I have never let the dough rise. I thaw in fridge in bag over night, Roll out the size I need, fill, then pop in oven. Bake time is about what I use. Very delicious.
Cathleen
My husband has been wanting to go to Nebraska just to try these hahahaha.This came at the most perfect time, I am going to have to make these for him so we don’t need to make the long trek 🙂
★★★★★
Heidi Weinert
I have never tasted a homemade Rnza that even comes close to the flavor. They have a secret blend of spices and most of the homemade versions just have salt and pepper.
I guess you will have to come visit!
P.S. You can have them shipped to you but I have no idea what that would cost.
P.P.S. I am making this for dinner because I grew cabbage for the first time and could not think of a better way to use it.
Jill
I had not heard of runzas but now I need to try them. They look and sound delish!
★★★★★
Biana
These runzas look amazing and the filling sounds so good. And what a great idea to make them out of roll dough.
★★★★★
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats
Wow I’ve never heard of runza before, but after reading this, recipe I can’t wait to try it!
★★★★★
Colleen
I’ve never heard of these before, but wow how amazing they look! I can’t wait to try these and I know they’ll be a huge hit.
★★★★★
Patsy
Made these this evening…my husband wanted me to add fried potatoes…the potatoes made them truly delicious!!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
That does sound delicious! Thanks for the suggestion.
Jane
I made them using a frozen bread loaf. They came out with way too much bread. Love the idea to use rolls instead of the whole loaf. Thank you
★★★★★
Nina Greeley
I followed your easy recipe using the Rhodes rolls except I combined two rolls and made them rectangular like the ones you buy in Nebraska. I’m originally from Nebraska, but now live in New Mexico, so I added some green chili and pepper jack cheese to give them a little kick. Love your recipe. It’s as authentic as the real deal.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Nina! So glad that you liked it!
Anjali
I hadn’t heard of Runzas before but I’m so glad I came across your recipe!! These look so cute, savory and satisfying – they are going to be the perfect side for our dinner tomorrow night!
★★★★★
Jeannette
What a fantastic on-the-go meal! Love how it’s portable and stuffed with a delicious meat filling!
★★★★★
Maria
This looks so filling!!! Thank you for the recipe, do you think it’s okay to reheat?
★★★★★
Claire
That filling! Looks SO good! Haven’t heard of this before and I am so excited to give this a try!
★★★★★