Hey ladies! It’s Janet here and I’m bringing you a taste of my Nebraska roots today with an iconic Husker football tradition – homemade Runza sandwiches!
Now I know some of you southern bells or west coast gals might not be familiar with these hearty stuffed bread pockets. But let me tell you – they are mighty delicious and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.
Runzas are a specialty in my home state, sold at restaurants and stadiums. But every self-respecting Nebraskan gal knows how to whip up a batch of homemade runzas when the craving for these handheld meals strikes.
When my girlfriends come over on Husker game days, I always have a batch of runzas ready for snacking. The chewy homemade bread stuffed with seasoned ground beef, onions, and cabbage is total comfort food.
And bonus – they freeze beautifully so you can make a big batch for quick meals anytime.
Here’s why these runzas should be your new go-to freezer meal:
- Easy to make ahead – just assemble, freeze, and bake when needed
- Hearty and filling – ground beef and veggies tucked in bread
- Kid-friendly meal – even picky eaters will devour them
- Perfect for parties or game day – easy handheld meal
- Freezer to table in under an hour – thaw and bake when hungry
Don’t be intimidated by the homemade yeast dough – it comes together quickly in the mixer. And you can always substitute thawed bread dough from the store to shortcut it.
The filling reminds me of my Grandma’s kitchen – ground beef, onions, cabbage, and seasonings. Pure comfort! Add a slice of cheese if you like for extra decadence.
Form the runza pockets just like little dumplings. Seal up the filling tightly so no juices escape while baking. Brush tops with melted butter for a golden sheen.
Bake until puffed and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve warm right out of the oven alongside crispy fries or chips and cold brews.
I’d love to hear if you ladies try these Nebraska runzas! They’re sure to be a new family favorite. Let me know if you have any other bread pocket recipes I should try.
Blessings and joy!
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 packets yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 4 cups cabbage chopped
- 2 tsp seasoned salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Butter melted for brushing
Instructions
- Make dough: Mix flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Heat milk, water and butter to 120F. Add to dry along with eggs. Mix in remaining flour until dough is smooth. Let rise 1 hour.
- Make filling: Cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned. Drain fat. Stir in cabbage, seasoned salt and pepper until combined.
- Assemble: Divide dough into 12 pieces. Roll each into a 6×8″ rectangle. Place 1/2 cup filling into center. Fold dough over filling and seal edges.
- Bake at 350F for 18-20 minutes until golden brown. Brush with melted butter.
- Serve warm or freeze for later! Enjoy!
