A Midwest Classic Made from Scratch
If you’ve ever spent time in Nebraska or the Midwest, then you probably already know and love a good Runza—those warm, yeasty rolls stuffed with savory ground beef, onions, and cabbage. These Hearty Homemade Runza Rolls bring that nostalgic flavor right into your kitchen.
I love making these from scratch because the dough is soft and buttery, the filling is cozy and satisfying, and the whole house smells like a bakery-meets-diner dream. They’re freezer-friendly, kid-approved, and perfect for meals on the go, lunchboxes, or cold-weather comfort food.
Questions I Often Get Asked About This Recipe
Q: What is a Runza?
A Runza is a Midwestern stuffed sandwich roll—think of it like a yeast roll filled with seasoned ground beef, sautéed cabbage, and onions, then baked until golden.
Q: Can I use store-bought dough?
Yes! You can use frozen dinner roll dough or pizza dough if you’re short on time. But the homemade dough is worth it!
Q: Can I freeze Runza rolls?
Absolutely. Bake, cool, and then freeze individually. Reheat in the oven or microwave for a quick meal.
Q: What goes well with Runzas?
They’re great on their own, but pair nicely with potato salad, chips, pickles, or a cup of soup.
Q: Can I add cheese?
Yes! Add shredded cheddar or Swiss to the filling before sealing the dough for a cheesy twist.
What You Need to Make Hearty Homemade Runza Rolls
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (more as needed)
For the Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 cup shredded cheddar or Swiss cheese
How to Make Hearty Homemade Runza Rolls
Step 1: Make the Dough
- In a large bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add butter, eggs, salt, and 3 cups of flour. Mix until combined.
- Gradually add the remaining flour, kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic (about 8–10 minutes).
- Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Make the Filling
- In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned.
- Add shredded cabbage, salt, and pepper. Cook until cabbage is soft (about 5–7 minutes).
- Let filling cool slightly. Stir in cheese if using.
Step 3: Assemble the Runzas
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Punch down dough and divide into 8–10 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a 6-inch circle. Add a scoop of filling in the center.
- Fold the dough over the filling like a pocket, pinch the seams to seal, and place seam-side down on a baking sheet.
- Let rise again for 15–20 minutes.
Step 4: Bake and Serve
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, until golden brown.
- Brush tops with melted butter if desired.
- Serve warm—or cool and freeze for later!
Tips for the Best Runza Rolls
✔ Let the filling cool before sealing so the dough doesn’t get soggy.
✔ Don’t overfill or the rolls may burst.
✔ Seal well and place seam-side down to keep all that goodness inside.
✔ Double the batch and freeze half—your future self will thank you.
✔ Make mini versions for party appetizers or kids’ lunchboxes.
Reader Reviews
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Emma L. – “These taste just like the ones my grandma made! I froze half and they reheated perfectly.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟 James K. – “Used pre-made dough and they still came out great. My kids loved them with cheese!”
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Samantha W. – “Comfort food at its finest. The dough is pillowy soft and the filling is so savory.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Lucas R. – “Perfect for meal prepping! I ate one for lunch every day this week.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Jessica T. – “The best Runza recipe I’ve tried. A total hit in our house!”
Printable Recipe
Hearty Homemade Runza Rolls
These Hearty Homemade Runza Rolls are soft, golden yeast rolls filled with savory beef, onions, and cabbage—a comforting classic straight from the Midwest.
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (more as needed)
- For the Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 cup shredded cheddar or Swiss cheese
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
- In a large bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add butter, eggs, salt, and 3 cups of flour. Mix until combined.
- Gradually add the remaining flour, kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic (about 8–10 minutes).
- Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Make the Filling
- In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned.
- Add shredded cabbage, salt, and pepper. Cook until cabbage is soft (about 5–7 minutes).
- Let filling cool slightly. Stir in cheese if using.
Step 3: Assemble the Runzas
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Punch down dough and divide into 8–10 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a 6-inch circle. Add a scoop of filling in the center.
- Fold the dough over the filling like a pocket, pinch the seams to seal, and place seam-side down on a baking sheet.
- Let rise again for 15–20 minutes.
Step 4: Bake and Serve
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, until golden brown.
- Brush tops with melted butter if desired.
- Serve warm—or cool and freeze for later!
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If You Enjoyed This Recipe, Please Share!
If you loved these Hearty Homemade Runza Rolls, please share them! Post a photo on Instagram, pin it for later, or send it to someone who grew up in the Midwest and could use a little nostalgic comfort. Don’t forget to tag @funcraftykitchen so I can see your Runzas in action!
