Runza Casserole
This hearty Runza Casserole Recipe combines seasoned ground beef, cabbage, cheese, and a homemade buttery crust for a satisfying and easy-to-make dish. Perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
2 Servings
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour or as needed
- ¼ cup butter softened
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup warm water
Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 small head cabbage cored and shredded
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder or to taste
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 4 slices processed cheese food such as Velveeta, or to taste
Instructions
To Prepare the Crust
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, softened butter, white sugar, active dry yeast, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
- Add Water: Gradually pour in the warm water and stir until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for approximately 3 to 4 minutes until the dough becomes elastic.
- Allow to Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm, dry area for approximately 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
To Prepare the Filling
- Cook the Beef and Onion: Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook and stir until the beef is browned and crumbly, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Drain and discard excess grease.
- Add Cabbage: Incorporate the shredded cabbage into the skillet. Continue to cook and stir until the cabbage is steamed and wilted, approximately 10 minutes.
- Season: Add garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste. Stir to combine evenly.
To Assemble and Bake the Casserole
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Divide the Dough: Split the risen dough in half. Roll out each portion to fit an 8-inch square baking dish.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Press one half of the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the greased baking dish.
- Add Filling and Cheese: Spoon the beef mixture into the prepared crust. Cover the mixture evenly with cheese slices.
- Seal the Casserole: Roll out the remaining dough portion and cover the filling, pinching the edges of both crusts together to seal.
- Initial Baking: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned.
- Cover and Continue Baking: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes to ensure the filling is hot and the cheese is melted.
- Allow to Cool: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Ensure the cheese and processed cheese food used are also gluten-free.