If you think that you can't plan a dinner menu around rolls, think again. Homemade or fresh, store-bought Kaiser rolls can easily be the star of the show with a little culinary creativity. Known for their crusty exterior and soft, tender interior, these small, round wheat rolls can be topped with everything from sesame or poppy seeds to Parmesan cheese, depending on your preferences. They're also popular plain or topped with a bit of salt.

Typically served as a meal side and slathered with butter, they can also hold their own as part of a main course. If you made or bought too many of these little buns for a dinner party and don't know what to do with the leftovers, here are a few ideas:

1. Hearty Sliders

Elevate simple sandwiches into gourmet, dinner-worthy sliders using Kaiser rolls. As one idea, make mini hamburgers, place them on the crusty rolls and top them with fancy fixings such as fried onion straws, blue cheese crumbles and barbecue sauce, or thinly sliced red onions and feta cheese. Plan on served at least three sliders per dinner guest to create a filling meal.

Other slider ideas include crispy chicken tenders with honey mustard dressing, and grilled portobello mushrooms topped with caramelized onions and avocado slices. Round out the meal with homemade pasta or potato salad.

2. Bread Bowls

Make Kaiser rolls the base, rather than the side of a meal. You can either place three or four of the round rolls in the bottom of a large bowl and top them with chili, soup or stew, or use individual rolls to create mini soup cups.

To make the cups, simply cut the tops off of the rolls and hollow out the centers. Spoon the filling of your choice into the empty cups and top with the cut-off pieces. To create a dinner, place several of these filled roll cups on a plate and serve them with a side salad for a complete meal. 

3. Bacon and Egg Cups

If you're in the mood for breakfast for dinner, transform Kaiser rolls into filling bacon and egg cups. To start, cut the tops off of the rolls and fill with two crumbled strips of cooked bacon. If you're a vegetarian, substitute the meat with smoky tempeh, a soy product, instead. 

Next, place the rolls onto a baking sheet and crack one egg into each one. Sprinkle the cups with salt and pepper to taste, and bake them at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until the eggs are set. Serve with fresh fruit and hashbrowns. 

To learn more about Kaiser rolls, contact a company like Klosterman Baking Company. 

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