Best 2 Runza Dough Recipes

**Runza: A Journey into Nebraska's Culinary Heritage**

Runza, a savory pocket of dough filled with a hearty mixture of ground beef, cabbage, onions, and spices, is a culinary emblem of Nebraska. This iconic dish, pronounced "run-zah," is a testament to the state's rich immigrant history and the resilience of its people. Over the years, runzas have evolved into a symbol of comfort food, enjoyed at family gatherings, county fairs, and local diners across the state.

From classic beef runzas to unique variations like turkey, vegetarian, and even breakfast runzas, there's a runza to satisfy every palate. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, with the crispy dough yielding to a savory filling that bursts with umami richness. Whether you prefer the traditional half-moon shape or the more modern square version, runzas are a delightful culinary adventure that encapsulates the spirit of Nebraska's culinary heritage.

Dive into the recipes provided in this comprehensive guide and discover the secrets behind creating perfect runzas. With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, you'll master the art of crafting the flaky dough, preparing the flavorful filling, and achieving that golden-brown crust that makes runzas so irresistible.

**Recipes Included:**

1. **Classic Beef Runza:** This recipe takes you back to the roots of runza-making, featuring a traditional filling of ground beef, cabbage, onions, and spices, enveloped in a tender dough.

2. **All-American Turkey Runza:** For a lighter and healthier twist, try this turkey runza variation, where ground turkey replaces beef, creating a leaner and equally delicious filling.

3. **Savory Vegetarian Runza:** Catering to vegetarian preferences, this recipe showcases a flavorful filling made from a medley of vegetables, grains, and cheese, all wrapped in a crispy dough.

4. **Kickin' Jalapeño Runza:** If you enjoy a spicy kick, this jalapeño runza is for you. With a filling that incorporates diced jalapeños, this variation adds a fiery touch to the classic runza experience.

5. **Breakfast Runza:** Start your day with a hearty and unique breakfast runza, filled with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and your favorite breakfast cheese.

6. **Sweet Runza:** For a sweet treat, indulge in this dessert runza filled with a delectable mixture of apples, cinnamon, and sugar, enclosed in a flaky and golden crust.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

RUNZA DOUGH

Runza Dough image

All the recipes for runzas call for frozen dough. This is a much better dough. It would be good with any number of fillings like ham and cheese etc. It's 2 packages of yeast but since I'm too stupid to figure out how to put it, I've written the recipe like I found it.

Provided by Dienia B.

Categories Yeast Breads

Time 3h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

5 cups flour, divided
3 teaspoons yeast
1/2 cup lard
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs

Steps:

Measure 1-3/4 cup flour.
Add yeast, lard, sugar, milk, water, and salt.
Mix.
Add eggs.
Stir in remaining flour.
Knead 10 minutes; cover; let rise until double. This takes about 1 hour. Now you can go to other runza recipes and use this dough to wrap around the fillings.
These are great.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 971.4, Fat 31.4, SaturatedFat 12.1, Cholesterol 123.8, Sodium 356.2, Carbohydrate 147.8, Fiber 5, Sugar 25.5, Protein 22

WHOLE WHEAT RUNZA DOUGH

Whole Wheat Runza Dough image

This is a recipe that I have adapted so that I can make whole wheat runzas. Please note that you can also use this recipe to make white bread runza dough, just substitute white flour for the whole wheat. Also you can use 1/2 whole wheat flour and 1/2 white flour if you so desire. Use any kind of fillings that you like. My family likes ham and cheese, philly cheese steak, pepperoni pizza, scrambled eggs with cheese and bacon, to name just a few other than the traditional. Use your imagination and tailor to what your family likes. These freeze beautifully after they are baked when individually wrapped. Just microwave from frozen or thawed.

Provided by SLColman

Categories Yeast Breads

Time 3h

Yield 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

4 1/3 cups whole wheat flour
1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup milk
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs

Steps:

Add 2 cups of the flour and the yeast to the bowl of your kitchenaid mixer with the dough hook and mix well.
Heat the milk, sugar, butter and salt to between 115 and 120 degrees.
Add the warm mixture to the flour mixture and mix well.
Add the eggs and mix for 5 minutes.
Add 1/2 a cup of flour at a time mixing after each addition until a ball forms.
Knead for 8 minutes using the mixer.
Grease a bowl and add the dough ball.
Cover and place in a warm spot.
Allow to rise until double in size. About 1 hour.
Punch down the dough and recover.
Allow to rise for 10 minutes.
Divide the dough into managable sections.
Roll the dough to 1/4 inch thickness.
Cut into 4 inch by 4 inch squares.
Fill with desired fillings.
Bring the opposite ends together and pinch together. Pinch together the seams so that the filling doesn't leak out.
Allow to rise for 30 minutes.
Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes or until golden.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 120.4, Fat 3.9, SaturatedFat 2.1, Cholesterol 23.7, Sodium 130.9, Carbohydrate 19, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 2.9, Protein 3.9

Tips:

Using Fresh Ingredients: Always opt for fresh ingredients like yeast, flour, and milk for the best results.
Proper Kneading: Knead the dough thoroughly until it becomes smooth and elastic to ensure a well-developed gluten structure.
Proofing the Dough: Allow the dough to rise in a warm place until it doubles in size to give it a light and airy texture.
Rolling the Dough: Roll the dough out into a thin, even sheet to ensure uniform cooking.
Filling Variations: Feel free to experiment with different fillings like cabbage, ground beef, sausage, or even vegetarian options.
Baking Temperature: Bake the runzas at a high temperature initially to set the crust and then reduce the heat to allow them to cook evenly.

Conclusion:

With careful preparation and attention to detail, you can create delicious and satisfying runzas that are perfect for any occasion. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds dancing with delight. Happy baking!