Runza Casserole is inspired by a world-famous sandwich made with ground beef and cabbage. This is a filling, delicious and affordable way to feed an entire family!
Why This Recipe Works
Unless you are from the Midwest, you might not be familiar with the word RUNZA. What is a Runza?! Hmm, yes, it’s a very interesting word. I lived in Omaha, Nebraska, for a few years after college and this popular restaurant quickly became a favorite of mine.
Their specialty sandwich, The Runza Sandwich, consists of beef, cabbage and onions squished between two scrumptious pieces of bread.
Oh goodness, you guys, this is an absolute favorite sandwich of mine. The ingredients are so simple, so I can see where one might question this but TRUST ME. If you don’t live access to this restaurant, make this casserole and you’ll know what I’m talking about.
With just a little love and some cooking magic, cabbage and ground beef transform into a savory, comforting casserole the whole family will enjoy.
How To Make Runza Casserole
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Roll out one tube of crescent rolls and place on the bottom of prepared pan.
Bake for 5 minutes.
Step 2
Add 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef to a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain and use a spatula to move the meat to outer edges of the skillet. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the center of the skillet and allow it to melt.
Add the onions, salt and pepper and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
Step 3
Add cabbage (half of a head, shredded) to the hamburger and onion mixture.
Cook for 5 minutes, or until the cabbage has cooked down and wilted. Season again with salt and pepper. Pour meat-cabbage mixture over top of bottom crescent layer. Add an even layer of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Top with the remaining crescent roll dough.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until crescent rolls are golden brown.
Recipe Notes
- For an added burst of creaminess and flavor, consider adding a can of cream of mushroom soup to the hamburger cabbage mixture before adding it to the baking dish.
- Use any variety of cabbage for this recipe!
- Hamburger can be replaced with any ground meat.
- For added flavor, add 1 teaspoon seasoned salt to the hamburger before adding onions and cabbage.
What To Serve With Cabbage
So many main course options as well as secondary sides pair perfectly with it! If you are searching for that perfect recipe to pair it with, read on for some great ideas about what to serve with cabbage.
Included in the article is recipes for Reuben sandwiches, tacos, corned beef, potatoes, lamb, pork chops and more!
FAQ About Cabbage
Remove and discard the outermost leaves and cut the very bottom of the stem off. Place the head of cabbage on its end where you cut and slice down the center vertically. Cut each half lengthwise. Remove the core and stem by cutting a wedge out of each quarter. Place each cabbage quarter onto a flat portion so it is lying flat and slice 1/4-inch strips, creating shredded cabbage.
One cup of shredded cabbage contains approximately 17 calories.
One cup of shredded cabbage contains approximately 4 grams of carbohydrates.
Cabbage Recipes
- Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup is super easy and comforting and it can be tossed right into your slow cooker!
- Make grilled cabbage to the next level by making Grilled Cabbage Steaks! Top them with shaved Parmesan cheese, bbq sauce or just a simple pat of butter. Serve alongside any summer meal for the absolute perfect healthy side dish!
- This classic Easy Coleslaw contains shredded cabbage, creamy vinaigrette dressing and it’s not loaded down with mayo! This will be your go-to slaw for a dinner side, picnic fare and fish tacos!
- Sauteed Cabbage is the perfect quick and delicious side dish for any meal. Using only a few ingredients and taking 10 minutes of your time, you can’t go wrong with this super flavorful and affordable recipe!
- Enjoy corned beef and cabbage made in the Instant Pot, done QUICKLY compared to traditional cooking methods and with just as much flavor! The meat turns out super juicy and tender. The cabbage, carrots and potatoes complement this delicious comforting dinner perfectly. Enjoy on Saint Patrick’s Day or any time of the year!
Ground Beef and Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipes
Simplify dinner tonight! Create an easy, affordable and delicious meal using two hearty main ingredients. Click over for a handful of ground beef and cream of mushroom soup recipes!
Affordable Ground Beef Recipes
If you are looking for more easy recipes using ground beef, check out this incredible roundup filled with delicious ideas!
30+ Delicious Dinners Using Ground Beef
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Runza Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Roll out one tube of crescent rolls and place on the bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 5 minutes.
- Add 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef to a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain and use a spatula to move the meat to outer edges of the skillet. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the center of the skillet and allow it to melt. Add the onions, salt and pepper and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
- Add half of a head of cabbage (shredded) and cook for 5 minutes, or until it has cooked down and wilted. Season again with salt and pepper. Pour meat-cabbage mixture over top of bottom crescent layer. Top with an even layer of shredded cheddar cheese. Top with the remaining crescent roll dough. Bake 20-25 minutes or until crescent rolls are golden brown.
Video
Notes
- For an added burst of creaminess and flavor, consider adding a can of cream of mushroom soup to the hamburger cabbage mixture before adding it to the baking dish.
- Use any variety of cabbage for this recipe!
- Hamburger can be replaced with any ground meat.
- For added flavor, add 1 teaspoon seasoned salt to the hamburger before adding onions and cabbage.
- If your can of crescent rolls come in 8oz, then you will 2 cans!
I Love Runzas! I’ve been making these for 15 years. I make mine with a
homemade dough and fill each pocket with some filling then then I put some shredded cheese on them then fold them and put them in the oven.
mine makes a really large batch then I freeze a lot of them then when I want a couple I take them out and warm them in my June oven.
Easy, simple weeknight dinner without making a mess in the kitchen. I fried a layer of sliced potatoes in an iron skillet, flipped and topped with beef mixture in place of the bottom crust. Then I put the whole skillet back in the oven to finish.
What a great idea, Deborah! Thanks for sharing.
I added mushrooms and seasoned salt. I also used cheddar and mozzarella. I ate it with mustard. Pickles would also be good. I used a bag of coleslaw, so it was a quick easy dinner. I had never heard of runza before, but I love ground beef and cabbage. I’m glad I came across this recipe. I should’ve halved it. I’m wondering if I could freeze the leftovers
Hi Livy! Yes you can definitely freeze the leftovers.
I have been making these for years (I am 87). This is a take off of the old German recipe for Kraut Bierochs, which are much better by the way, BUT, stop chopping or grating that cabbage. Buy a bag of already shredded cabbage (some with shredded carrots in it, which just makes it healthier) from the bagged salad section at the grocery store. We wrapped the dough around the mixture and baked them individually. That way the cabbage and onion flavor is baked into the bread, but this fake way is just fine if you aren’t into making your own dough.
lI liked the flavor but it was very dry. Are the sandwiches this dry?
I might try it with mushroom soup but it seems that it might mask the cabbage flavor.
Hi Bobby, good question. I think sandwiches can have condiments on it, per the preference of those eating. I haven’t tried to add anything to the runza myself. But adding moisture to this dish is simple. You just need to decide how much you want it to affect the pastry dough. Sour cream or cream cheese that you can even season some, will add flavor. Broth will give flavor and moisture. Make a roux and add some broth to thicken it and help it stick to the cabbage. Finally, just some heavy cream stirred in would also be an alternative. Let me know what you decide on and how it turns out!
first time I had this delicious!!!!!!
So glad to hear it, Wilson!
I went to go proof my Rhodes dinner rolls from the freezer, but they were too old and didn’t rise. in a panic, I found your recipe to use for the runza filling I already made. thank you! This saved my dinner plans!
That’s great! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
it is very plain. There is not much flavor other than crescent rolls and ground beef. You have to grate a half a cabbage. a cup and a half of cheese. I would not recommend this recipe.
Don’t get stuck with the base of this recipe, Diane. This is a great recipe and you can flavor it up with my tips: For an added burst of creaminess and flavor, consider adding a can of cream of mushroom soup to the hamburger cabbage mixture before adding it to the baking dish. Hamburger can be replaced with any ground meat such as spicy sausage. For added flavor, add 1 teaspoon seasoned salt to the hamburger before adding onions and cabbage, cumin and a garlic herbs mix would be tasty. Thanks for commenting!