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Home | Food & Recipes | Copycat Runza Casserole

Copycat Runza Casserole

Food & Recipes

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  • Copycat Runza Casserole
    • Quick Runza Recipe

Copycat Runza Casserole

**Update this post was first brought to you back in October of 2014. But I’ve learned so much since then it was time to redo the post. Enjoy this “new” old post.

Copycat Runza

Some of you may or may not know that Mr. SMSL used to drive a truck for a living. With that being said one of his routes was into Nebraska frequently, where he found the famous Runza restaurant. He then introduced our daughter and I to Runza’s on a family vacation to Omaha, Nebraska when our daughter was in Kindergarten. I LOVED it, but there is one small problem. Getting a Runza from the actual Runza restaurant is something that happens about once a year, if I am lucky!

So, off to Google I went to find a copycat recipe for a Runza and I came up with several, but I tried this one first. It was good, but I used our own bread recipe, but it wasn’t a Runza so to speak. Next up, we tried this recipe, but Mr. SMSL said, “he didn’t like that one at all.” Ok, so fast forward through a few more attempts, and I finally mastered the Runza he remembered!

But I still wasn’t sure that it was right, so on a recent trip, I bought a frozen Runza, brought it home and cooked it along side of this recipe, and let me tell you was he ever a happy camper! So without further ado, here is our version of the “quick” Runza recipe. We use “store” bought ingredients to make it a quicker meal but it is the best when you make your own bread.

Quick Runza Recipe

2 packages of crescent rolls

1 pound sausage (they are usually made with beef, but we prefer sausage!)

1 can beef broth

1 medium onion

1/4 a head of cabbage (you can use 1/2 a head if it’s smaller)

Salt, Pepper, Garlic

Cheese –Pepperjack cheese gives it a nice kick, “Velvetta” Cheese makes it gooey, Sharp Cheddar is our favorite

Copycat Runza Casserole
  1.  Brown your one pound of sausage, don’t forget to salt and pepper it to your liking.
  2. Add about a teaspoon or so of garlic powder and once the hamburger is browned add in your chopped onions and shredded cabbage.
  3. Open a can of beef broth and let it all get happy, in the skillet together. I cooked ours for about 30 minutes.
  4. Spread out a can of crescent rolls on the bottom of the pan,  then spoon in your Runza mixture.
  5. Top with cheese, I used 6 slices that I just cut off myself, but you could use pre-sliced cheese.
  6. Top with an additional roll of crescent rolls.
  7. Tuck the sides in to make a big “roll”.
  8. Bake until golden brown at 350º F for about 20 minutes.

[mv_create key=”92″ title=”Copycat Runza Recipe” thumbnail=”” type=”recipe”]

Copycat Runza Casserole

Bake as directed until golden brown, but after you pull it out of the oven be sure to let it cool down a little before biting into it. I also called mine a casserole because I baked it in a casserole pan and didn’t make them as individual sandwiches or rolls. This recipe is easily adapted to fit your families needs and likes. But for our family, the Copycat Runza Casserole was just right!

Are you a Runza lover??

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September 21, 2016 · 34 Comments

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Comments

  1. Joan C says

    May 8, 2020 at 10:23 am

    I would love to try the runza recipe.

    Reply
  2. Jessie says

    October 1, 2017 at 11:40 pm

    Holy yummm

    Reply
  3. Courtney Johnson says

    September 29, 2017 at 6:20 pm

    Looks sooo good!! I have never heard of this dish before!!

    Reply
  4. Martha in KS says

    September 27, 2017 at 10:27 am

    Looks good, but Runzas are made with beef. I’ll try that instead.

    Reply
  5. Stacie says

    September 7, 2017 at 9:02 am

    Looks delicious!

    Reply
  6. G K says

    September 2, 2017 at 9:07 pm

    I’ve never heard of this before. It looks fun and messy!

    Reply
  7. Lana simanovicki says

    August 25, 2017 at 10:28 pm

    This looks easy to make

    Reply
  8. Becky Willis says

    August 22, 2017 at 9:36 pm

    This is the best! The first time we tried it I fell in love. Thank you for a great recipe!

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      August 23, 2017 at 8:40 am

      I’m so glad you love it! We will have to have it when you come to visit!

      Reply
  9. Heide M. says

    August 3, 2017 at 12:26 am

    Thanks for posting, gotta try this.

    Reply
  10. LeAnn Harbert says

    June 30, 2017 at 6:21 pm

    This looks like it would be really good.

    Reply
  11. Cindy says

    November 27, 2016 at 9:55 am

    This recipe is awesome!! Thanks it’s become a favorite in our home…

    Reply
  12. Lynne B says

    October 20, 2016 at 11:33 am

    I’ve never had run a but, looking at the ingredients, I love runza!! Thanks for the shortcut recipe!

    Reply
  13. shannon fowler says

    October 18, 2016 at 6:45 pm

    This sounds so good! I know it would be a family hit.

    Reply
  14. Heather Amos says

    October 18, 2016 at 2:23 pm

    This sounds and looks delicious. I am going to make this soon.

    Reply
  15. Nancy says

    October 15, 2016 at 6:46 pm

    This is an interesting recipe. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  16. Liz Jo says

    October 13, 2016 at 9:10 am

    Looks delicious perfect for a cold night!

    Thanks for linking up with Welcome Home Wednesdays! Live every Wednesday at 7AM CT.

    liz @ j for joiner

    Reply
  17. Geri Sandoval says

    September 29, 2016 at 11:01 pm

    Never heard or had Runza, but my family would love it. Going to have to make it soon.

    Reply
  18. Michelle says

    September 29, 2016 at 9:06 pm

    Beef and cabbage go beautiful together I make a hand pie with the two but never thought of adding cheese!
    Sounds delicious!
    Thanks for the recipe!
    Michelle

    Reply
  19. Holly Wright says

    September 29, 2016 at 6:40 pm

    This sounds so tasty thanks for sharing this great recipe with me. I will try an make this for my family soon.

    Reply
  20. Mia says

    September 28, 2016 at 3:13 pm

    I have never even heard of this but looks like a perfect fall comfort meal.

    Reply
  21. Melissa Storms says

    September 28, 2016 at 8:19 am

    This sounds amazing, I think we would like the version with pepper jack cheese the most.

    Reply
  22. Kim~madeinaday says

    September 27, 2016 at 7:21 am

    I have no ideas what Runza was until now. Looks interesting! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Pinned! Have a great week!
    Kim

    Reply
  23. Karyl Henry says

    September 26, 2016 at 9:09 pm

    I love runzas! They are so fabulous. Never thought of doing them as a casserole though. What a great twist

    Reply
  24. Ghalmi Chokri says

    September 26, 2016 at 1:02 pm

    I never seen before but looks very delicious! also easy to do! May i make the recipe someday! Thankyou!

    Reply
  25. Julie Waldron says

    September 26, 2016 at 9:41 am

    This sounds really good & easy to make. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  26. Shakeia Rieux says

    September 25, 2016 at 10:13 pm

    I haven’t tried this before, but it does look and sound good and would be worth trying. I will be adding this to my pinterest

    Reply
  27. denise low says

    September 25, 2016 at 10:28 am

    I have never tried this before. But it looks really delicious. This one will be on my list.

    Reply
  28. Ghalmi Chokri says

    September 23, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    Looks delicious ! i love it! This recipe is great thanks for suggesting!

    Reply
  29. Rosie says

    July 14, 2016 at 10:12 am

    I’ve never heard of Runza, and never saw a recipe like it at all. But I love cabbage, and this looks like a delish way to have it. I love the story, too! I must try this!

    Reply
  30. mom says

    October 12, 2015 at 9:51 pm

    cabbage and meat and cheese are so important. it looks very good

    love, mom

    Reply
  31. Maureen says

    November 22, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    This is not anything like a runza. Obviously you’ve only had the junk food store recipe. Try one that doesn’t call or use canned breads. Thats just violently disgusting.

    Reply
    • Heidi Gray says

      December 4, 2014 at 8:48 am

      I’ve had the “real” Runza and this is the quick version, but it tastes great!! I have one for homemade bread as well, I just haven’t gotten to putting it up yet. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply

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