Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Runza Casserole is a hearty and cheesy recipe, which is made with savory ground beef, tender cabbage, and a flaky crescent roll crust. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, a one-dish meal ready in about an hour.
Pioneer Woman Runza Casserole Ingredients
A classic Midwestern combination for a satisfying, family-friendly dinner.
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups chopped cabbage
- 1 (10 ounce) can low-sodium cream of mushroom soup
- 2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent rolls
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
How To Make Pioneer Woman Runza Casserole
A step-by-step guide to this easy and delicious one-dish meal.
- Prep Oven and Cook Filling: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a deep skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the onion softens. Stir in the chopped cabbage and cook for about 5 more minutes, until it’s tender.
- Assemble the Casserole: Stir the cream of mushroom soup into the skillet with the beef and cabbage mixture. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, unroll one can of the crescent roll dough and press it into the bottom to form a solid crust.
- Layer and Bake: Pour the beef mixture evenly over the bottom crust. Sprinkle the Cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the beef. Unroll the second can of crescent roll dough and place it on top.
- Bake and Serve: Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Recipe Tips
For the most delicious and perfectly baked Runza casserole.
- How to prevent a soggy bottom crust? After browning the ground beef, be sure to drain off any excess fat very well before adding the other ingredients. This will help keep the bottom crescent roll crust from becoming greasy.
- Can I make this ahead of time? This casserole is best when baked and served fresh to ensure the crescent roll crust is flaky. However, you can prepare the entire beef and cabbage filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Then, just assemble and bake for a quick dinner.
- Can I use a different kind of dough? While crescent roll dough gives this casserole its signature flaky, buttery crust, you could also try using a sheet of puff pastry for a different, but still delicious, result.
- How can I make the topping extra golden? For a deeper golden-brown and shiny top crust, you can brush the top layer of crescent roll dough with a simple egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water) before baking.
What To Serve With Runza Casserole
Simple sides to complete this hearty one-dish dinner.
This hearty casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with:
- A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette
- Steamed green beans or broccoli
- A side of applesauce or a simple fruit salad
- Tangy dill pickle spears
How To Store Runza Casserole
Keeping your delicious leftovers fresh.
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: For the best texture, reheat individual portions in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. This will help to re-crisp the crescent roll crust.
Pioneer Woman Runza Casserole Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Fat: 35 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
What is a Runza?
A Runza is a traditional Nebraskan sandwich, which is a bread pocket filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, cabbage, and onions. This casserole is a deconstructed, easy-to-make version of that Midwestern classic.
Can I add other vegetables?
Yes. You could add finely chopped carrots or sautéed mushrooms along with the onions for extra flavor and nutrients.
Can I use a different kind of soup?
Of course. If you don’t have cream of mushroom, you can use cream of celery or even a can of condensed cheddar cheese soup for an even cheesier casserole.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Cheese Ravioli Casserole Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe
Pioneer Woman Runza Casserole Recipe
Description
An easy, cheesy, and hearty one-dish meal with all the classic flavors of a Midwestern Runza, featuring layers of a savory ground beef and cabbage filling baked between two flaky crescent roll crusts.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a deep skillet, melt butter and brown the ground beef.
- Add the onion and seasonings and cook until soft. Stir in the cabbage and cook for 5 more minutes until tender.
- Stir in the cream of mushroom soup.
- Press one can of crescent roll dough into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Pour the beef and cabbage mixture over the bottom crust. Top with the shredded cheeses.
- Unroll the second can of crescent roll dough and place it on top of the cheese.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Notes
- u003cliu003eDraining the fat from the ground beef is an important step to prevent a soggy bottom crust.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor a time-saver, the meat and vegetable filling can be made up to 2 days in advance.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eUsing refrigerated crescent roll dough makes this impressive casserole incredibly simple to assemble.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFeel free to substitute the ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter version.u003c/liu003e
