HOMEMADE MINI RUNZAS


Runzas: you'll only know of them if you grew up around Nebraska or- sorry Nebraska- had the misfortune to have to drive through it the long way on the way to Colorado.  They're bread wrapped around meat and cheese and baked until the bread is crusty and the cheese is melty.  Ahh, sometimes it's the simple things in life.

I must warn you ahead of time, I didn't make the bread dough for these.  Cookies, bring 'em on; homemade tortillas, lemme at 'em; but baking bread I just can't get myself to do.  They're actually super inexpensive frozen dinner rolls.  But, if you're like my amazingly talented photographer/mother-of-three-amazing-kids/excellent baker sister, feel free to tackle the homemade bread section with gusto and sticky dough fingers!

Another disclosure: these aren't meant to be just like Runzas, which I think can be a little too salty and soggy sometimes.  These are my own version that are a little lighter on their feet, which just so happen to be deliciously crusty and buttery buns.  Oh, and feel free to add vegetables to these, but, let's be honest, when you're stuffing meat and cheese in to buns and then likely dipping those in ketchup or ranch dressing later, the vegetables aren't really necessary.
makes: 12
takes: 15 minutes prep, 1-2 hours thawing and baking
YOU WILL NEED:

1 lb. ground beef
3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp. fresh cracked black pepper
1/4 tsp. lawry's seasoned salt
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1-2 cloves of garlic, minced

12 frozen, unbaked dinner rolls (thawed)
or
1 loaf white bread recipe of your choosing


In a large skillet, brown the ground beef along with the salt, pepper, garlic, and pepper flakes.  Drain excess liquids and remove from heat.  Add the sour cream and cheese and stir to combine.

One at a time, gently make a hole in the bottom of each bun, curving it into a bowl shape.  Fill with meat filling, then seal the edges together tightly and set on parchment-lined baking sheet.  Repeat with remaining buns.

Bake at 350' F until buns are golden, then I dare you not to eat them all in one sitting.

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