Main Dishes

Runzas III - 2020
​​​​​​​Recipe courtesy of Ron Wozny

INGREDIENTS
DOUGH

• 5 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 2 pkgs (1/4 oz) Yeast
• 1 tsp Salt
• 3/4 cup Milk
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1/2 cup Butter
• 2 Eggs

FILLING

• 2 to 2 1/4 pounds  ground beef --  browned and drained
• 4 cups  cabbage -- shredded (3 1/2 if using sauerkraut) *see notes below
• 1 1/2 cups  sauerkraut -- optional *see notes below
• 1 small onion -- chopped
• 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• ½ cup  water
• American cheese -- optional

​PREPARATION

Dough: 

1. Place 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt into a large mixing bowl. 
2. ​Either in a small saucepan over medium heat or a microwave safe bowl, heat the milk, water, and butter to 120-130 degrees F. 
3. Pour heated wet ingredients into flour mixture. Stir slightly before adding beaten eggs. 
4. Continue by adding the remaining flour, one cup at a time, until when kneaded the dough comes together and is smooth and elastic. 
5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour. 

Filling

1. While dough is rising, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink. Drain.
2. Stir in the chopped cabbage, sauerkraut, seasoned salt, pepper and water. Stir gently until cabbage is cooked and filling combined, about 30 minutes. 

Assembly

1. Punch dough down, and divide into 12 equal portions. 
2. Working with one piece of dough, roll into a rectangle (approx 6 inches x 8 inches in size). 
3. Place a heaping 1/2 cup of filling into the center of each dough piece. 
4. Add cheese or other items now if you wish.
5. Fold dough over filling. Seal and tuck edges. 
6. Turn over so the smooth side is up and place onto a greased baking sheet. It's OK if the edges touch. 
7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Recipe Notes From Ron

• Sauerkraut/Cabbage - When we make these, we prefer to use 1 1/2 cups sauerkraut and 3 1/2 cups cabbage. This is personal preference, but they come out really good! If you don't want to use sauerkraut, then stick with 4 cups of cabbage. Or experiment and work out your own proportions!
• Spices - This recipe works well with salt & pepper only, but based on another Runza recipe published here, consider adding 1 teaspoon  oregano, ½ teaspoon garlic powder and a dash of Tabasco. 

Whatza Runza? It's a delicious ground beef sandwich, baked in a roll. "A hot and tasty meal in a bunza... Runza!"

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