What to Serve with Onion Rolls? 21+ Yummy Ideas!

If you have ever strolled through a bakery at a grocery store like Publix, you have probably smelled the delicious aroma of fresh baked bread. I particularly love the smell of fresh baked onion rolls!

Usually, I will purchase these heavenly rolls and then get stumped on what to do with them. So, I have complied a list of awesome ideas of what to make for dinner or lunch with onion rolls!

What can you make with onion rolls?

As always, we try to make sure our lists include family friendly meal ideas as well as toddler approved dinners!

1. Sloppy Joe’s

Whether you use a can of premade Manwich or make your own Sloppy Joe’s, they taste so much better on a onion roll!

2. Cheeseburgers

I am not always a fan of huge chunks of raw onions on my burgers, so I finally found a way to get the great onion flavor without the raw onion texture. Next time you make cheeseburgers at home, serve them on onion rolls to really up the flavor!

3. Copycat Arby’s Beef & Cheddar

If you have ever had a Beef & Cheddar sandwich from Arby’s, then you know the roll really makes all the difference! All you need is some sliced roast beef lunch meat, some cheddar sauce, and some French dressing. Layer it all on an onion roll, and you will have a fabulous dinner or lunch! (You can even buy Arby’s sauces at the grocery store for a more authentic taste.)

4. Ham and Cheese

Similar to the Arby’s Beef and Cheddar, you can also make a hot Ham and Cheese sandwich on an onion roll. My friend swears by using Thousand Island dressing as a sauce to give it a little sweetness which pairs extremely well with an onion roll.

5. Egg and Sausage Breakfast Sandwich

My husband used to stop by a fast-food place every morning for a breakfast on the road, but we quickly realized this ends up costing a small fortune. We started experimenting with different flavor combinations and decided that using onion rolls with egg, sausage patties, and a slice of cheese is the best! The rolls are pretty hardy, so they don’t get soggy too quick either!

6. Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches

We love the taste of Philly Cheesesteaks but sometimes the peppers and onions like to fall out. In comes the onion roll, and you get all the onion flavor without the onions falling out! We cook Steak-Ums with Worcestershire sauce and top with mozzarella cheese. Then put it on a bun and wrap in foil for a hearty lunch that can be eaten hot or cold!

7. French Dip Sandwiches

A French Dip sandwich is basically a beef sandwich that is meant to be dipped into au jus or beef juice. You really need a hearty bun that won’t fall apart or else you will have a huge mess on your hands. We found the onion rolls work perfectly to soak up the juice and not get all soggy.

8. Mini Pizza

This is a fun way to use up a few leftover onion rolls! We flip them over to wear the smooth inside is on top, then add pizza sauce, cheese, and any other toppings. Then you can heat them up in a toaster oven or regular oven until the cheesy is nice and melty.

9. Tuna Salad

Tuna and onions really go very well together, so this is an easy way to spice up your lunch or an easy dinner. I also love to serve this with a pickle spear and some tortilla chips. They also work really well with chicken salad or ham salad too! For more cost savings, check out “Is it Cheaper to make or buy Tuna Salad?“

10. Savory Bread Pudding

Did you know that bread pudding doesn’t have to be sweet? Try making bread pudding with leftover onion rolls for a super yummy breakfast for dinner or a brunch. We typically whish 4-6 eggs, a cup of milk, and shredded cheese. Pour the mixture over the onion roll torn or chopped into 1-inch chunks. Bake in a greased pan until it is fully set, and it is a huge crowd pleaser!

11. Patty Melts

A patty melt is a like the most perfect combination of burger and a grilled cheese! I have had the most success making patty melts with onion rolls by flipping the smooth center of the roll to the outside. I apply a generous amount of butter to the smooth sides and put a cooked hamburger patty in between the bread. Then cook like a grilled cheese on the stove.

12. Egg Salad

Sometimes egg salad just gets bland and boring. I find putting egg salad with lettuce and tomato on an onion roll really makes the flavors pop!

13. Meatball Subs

Sometimes I can find the onion rolls in a hoagie style shape and we love to use them for meatball subs. We have also sliced the meatballs in half and piled them on to a regular size bun. Top with some mozzarella cheese and melt it under the broiler. Super yummy meal and very filling too! For more ways to save money, check out “Is it Cheaper to make or buy Meatballs?“

14. Turkey Bacon Club

Even though club sandwiches are typically served on toasted white or wheat bread, it is always fun to shake it up a bit. I love to pile on the turkey lunch meat, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo onto an onion roll. Another fun addition is to put mayo on one side of the bread and spread fresh avocado on the other side for a really tasty flavor combo!

15. Meatloaf Sandwich

In my house growing up there used to be a huge debate on whether meatloaf sandwiches are best cold or warmed up. Either way, stick your slice of meatloaf on an onion roll and you will surely love it!

16. Rueben Style Sandwich

I am not a huge fan of rye bread, but I love the insides of a Rueben sandwich. So, I like to make my Reubens with an onion roll. I still use sliced corned beef, Swiss cheese, thousand island dressing, and sauerkraut. I totally love the flavor the onion rolls bring to the table!

17. Salami and Cream Cheese

This easy lunch or dinner sandwich always reminds me of a really great New York Style bagel. I like to top my onion roll with a nice thick layer of cream cheese, then sliced salami, and a few pickles. The flavor combined with the onion roll is amazing. My mom swears by adding a dash of everything bagel seasoning to the cream cheese to really make this sandwich pop!

18. Serve with Soup

We already know that the onion rolls don’t get soggy like other rolls, so they are perfect to pair with a nice hearty soup or stew for dipping. I am a huge fan of split pea, minestrone, or even a beef and vegetable stew.

19. Pulled Pork/ Barbeque

It had never occurred to me to put pulled pork on a onion roll until I had it at a summer potluck. The flavor is awesome and works really well with a little barbeque sauce and some pickle slices.

20. Garlic Bread

I love to use up leftover bread as garlic bread. I accidentally grabbed leftover onion rolls from the freezer one night and I was a little nervous about how these would turn out. They actually turned out super yummy and we added a little shredded cheese and diced tomato on top to really make it stand out! You may be surprised by this one “Is it Cheaper to Make or Buy Garlic Bread?“

21. Avocado Toast

To be honest, avocado on toast is not really as awesome as I thought it would be. It is definitely creamy and tasty but not spectacular. Next time, try spreading your avocado on a toasted onion roll and a dash of everything bagel seasoning, and you will really fall in love with avocado toast!

Onion Bun Sandwich Ideas

We hope these ideas of ways to use onion buns will help you elevate your dinner or lunch plans. The great thing about onion bread is that it is so versatile and can be used a ton of different ways.

Don’t forget that you can also freeze any leftover onion roll bread and pull it out later to make homemade stuffing, croutons, or use as breadcrumbs in a meatloaf.

If you need more lunch ideas, be sure to check out “21 Easy Cheap Lunch Ideas for Men who Work Outside” and “Quick and Easy Lunches for Work that won’t Break the Bank“