Homemade Runza (Beef & Cabbage Bread Pockets)
Runza is a warm, homemade bread pocket filled with seasoned beef, cabbage, and onion, baked until golden and hearty. It’s a simple, comforting meal that’s perfect for make-ahead dinners, freezer meals, or feeding a hungry crowd.
Ingredients
Dough
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast 1 packet
- 1 cup warm milk about 110°F
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 –3½ cups all-purpose flour
Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ onion diced
- 2 cups finely chopped cabbage
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Optional: 1 cup shredded cheese
Instructions
Make the dough
- In a bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add butter, egg, and salt. Stir in flour gradually until a soft dough forms.
- Knead 5–7 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rise 1 hour or until doubled.
Make the filling
- Brown ground beef and onion in a skillet. Drain grease.
- Add cabbage, salt, and pepper. Cook until cabbage softens (about 5–7 minutes).
- Let cool slightly.
Assemble
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Divide dough into 8–10 pieces. Roll each into a rectangle.
- Spoon filling into the center, add cheese if using, then fold and seal into a pocket.
Bake
- Place seam-side down on a baking sheet.
- Bake 18–22 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
Make extra → freeze beautifully
Add cheese for a “cheesy Runza” version 👀
Use coleslaw mix for a shortcut
Add cheese for a “cheesy Runza” version 👀
Use coleslaw mix for a shortcut
Nutrition
Serving: 180gCalories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 10gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 666mgPotassium: 175mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 178IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg