Instant Pot Runza Casserole

Instant Pot Runza Casserole is inspired by the famous Nebraska sandwich. The casserole has seasoned ground beef, onions, cabbage, cheese and crescent rolls. It’s a delicious way to feed your family dinner tonight.

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Instant Pot Runza Casserole

Have you heard of Runzas before? They are a Nebraska favorite, a cross between a hot pocket and a burger. Ground beef, onions and cabbage are wrapped in a yeast dough and baked, resulting in a savory pastry. They are amazing but take a little time because of the yeast dough. If you want the delicious taste of Runzas in less time make RUNZA CASSEROLE!! You can use your Instant Pot to help make this recipe so fast.

If you’re unsure if you like cooked cabbage I want you to give it a shot in the Instant Pot. EVERYTHING I’ve made with cooked cabbage in my Instant Pot has turned out amazing. The IP cooks the cabbage down so much that you don’t hardly notice it but it gives a good texture and some nutrition. Try cabbage roll casserole, cabbage roll soup, farmer’s delight casserole.

Ingredients for Runza Casserole

• Ground beef–I used lean 85/15 ground beef
• Diced onion–yellow or white
• Seasoned salt–I used Lawry’s brand
• Black pepper
• 1 cup beef broth–or 1 cup water and 1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon beef base
• Cabbage–I used most of a head of a small cabbage
• Cornstarch–to thicken the sauce after pressure cooking
• Cheddar cheese–because it’s a casserole and you just have to have cheese!
• Pillsbury original crescent rolls–the baking on top

How to make Runza Casserole in the Instant Pot

If you have an air fryer lid (like the Instant Pot Duo Crisp*) you can make this whole casserole in the Instant Pot. If not, you can make the first part in the Instant Pot and then second part in the oven. Both ways taste amazing and both ways cut down on steps from a traditional runza casserole recipe.

1. Brown the beef: Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the beef and onions. Break up the beef and brown it for about 5 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Stir in the seasoned salt and pepper.
2. Deglaze: Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Add in the cabbage. 
3. Cover the Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 5 minutes. When the time is up let the pot sit for 5 minutes and then move the valve to venting. Remove the lid. 
4. Thicken: Stir well. Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. In a small bowl stir together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir the slurry into the the pot to thicken up the sauce. Once thickened turn off the Instant Pot. Taste test and add more salt and pepper to taste, if needed.
5. Cheese: Sprinkle on the cheese.
6. Lay rolls on top: Open the package of crescent rolls and unroll them to lay the dough flat over the top of the meat/cabbage mixture. Some portions of the dough will overlap but mostly it should be in one layer. If you don’t have an air fryer lid you can bake in the oven. Add the pressure cooked meat/cabbage mixture into an 8×8 inch square baking dish. Unroll the crescent roll dough and place over the top. Bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees or until crescent rolls are golden brown and center is bubbly. Another option is you can bake the crescent rolls separately in the oven according to directions on package and serve on the side of the meat mixture.
7. Bake: Place air fryer lid on the top of Instant Pot liner. Use the bake button and cook for 9-12 minutes at 325° F, or until rolls are browned on top and cooked through. Make sure they aren’t doughy underneath. If they are then keep baking until cooked all the way through.
8. Serve: Scoop onto plates and serve.  

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How to store Runza casserole

Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

More Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid Casserole Recipes…

Instant Pot Pumpkin French Toast Casserole

Instant Pot Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole

Instant Pot Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc. Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.

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*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.