Ordering a restaurant meal can get expensive, especially when everyone wants something different. These 19 copycat and takeout-inspired recipes bring familiar dishes into your own kitchen, from crispy chicken tenders and saucy shrimp to cheesy pasta, loaded burgers, and bakery-style cookies. Some are quick enough for a weeknight dinner, while others are worth planning for when you have more time. You can put together a restaurant-style meal without leaving home or paying the delivery bill.
Raising Cane Tenders
That crisp, golden coating makes Raising Cane Tenders a strong choice when the chicken place sounds tempting. The strips soak in buttermilk and egg before getting a coating of flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, and paprika. Fry them in batches and serve with a dipping sauce, fries, or coleslaw. Allow time for the buttermilk marinade before cooking, rather than treating this as a last-minute dinner. You get a plate of hot chicken tenders without joining the drive-through line.
Get the Recipe: Raising Cane Tenders
Sushi Rice
Making sushi bowls at home starts with Sushi Rice, which uses short-grain rice and a simple vinegar seasoning. Rinse and soak the rice before cooking, then fold in rice vinegar, sugar, and salt while the grains are still warm. Let it cool before shaping rolls or building bowls. Set out cucumber, avocado, and your preferred toppings so everyone can put together a restaurant-inspired meal at the table. The seasoning gives the rice its familiar gently sweet and tangy flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sushi Rice
Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
A glossy coating and colorful vegetables make Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry a handy alternative to ordering another chicken bowl. Boneless chicken thighs cook with broccoli, red bell pepper, green beans, and onion before teriyaki sauce coats the mixture. Finish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if you like. Spoon the chicken and vegetables over rice for a complete supper, with enough different textures to make each bite interesting. This is a good choice when you want a hot meal without arranging a delivery.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings
Dry seasoning clings to every bite of Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings, giving the skin plenty of flavor without a sticky sauce. Smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, brown sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder make the spice mixture for the chicken wings. Cook them until the outside is browned and the meat is done, then set out ranch or another dipping sauce. Serve with carrot sticks and fries for a game-night plate that avoids a trip to the wing counter.
Get the Recipe: Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings
Bang Bang Shrimp
Creamy heat gives Bang Bang Shrimp the appeal of a takeout favorite with an easy homemade sauce. The shrimp are seasoned with lime juice and coated lightly with cornstarch, while mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha make the dressing. Spoon them over cooked basmati rice and add cucumber, green onions, or cilantro. The cool vegetables balance the rich sauce, turning the shrimp into a full bowl instead of a small restaurant appetizer. Keep extra sauce nearby for anyone who wants more.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp
Cheesecake Factory Chicken Madeira
A mushroom sauce and melted cheese make Cheesecake Factory Chicken Madeira feel like the sort of dinner you would order for a special evening out. Thin chicken breasts cook with mushrooms, shallot, and garlic, then get a sauce made with Madeira wine and beef broth. Mozzarella and Parmesan finish the chicken, with steamed asparagus served alongside. Put it on plates with mashed potatoes if you want something to catch the sauce. A quiet dinner at home can have the same sit-down appeal without a restaurant reservation.
Get the Recipe: Cheesecake Factory Chicken Madeira
Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara
Cheese-filled pasta under a rich, creamy sauce makes Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara a dinner worth bringing straight to the table. Cheese ravioli is coated in a sauce of butter, garlic, cream, Parmesan, and mozzarella, then topped with bacon bits and parsley. It is a practical choice for a smaller pasta night when you do not want to drive to a restaurant. Serve with a crisp salad or warm bread, and spoon a little extra sauce over the ravioli before eating.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara
Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl
A colorful build-your-own dinner is easy with Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl, which puts seasoned vegetables and plenty of toppings in one bowl. Poblano pepper, bell peppers, and red onion cook with a blend of chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Layer the vegetables over lettuce with black beans, rice, corn salsa, and guacamole as the recipe suggests. Set the toppings out separately for anyone who wants to adjust their portion. It brings the familiar counter-service bowl format home without a pickup order.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl
Copycat Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookie
A thick cookie with little bites of cookie dough makes Copycat Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookie a bakery-style treat for an evening at home. Brown sugar and vanilla flavor the baked cookie base, while a butter-and-powdered-sugar topping carries chocolate chip cookie dough pieces and mini chocolate chips. Chill the shaped dough before baking and let the cookies cool before finishing them. Set out the completed cookies after dinner with milk, or pack a few carefully for someone who usually requests a bakery stop.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookie
Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
Soft centers and a buttery garlic coating give Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks their familiar appeal alongside a bowl of pasta. The yeast dough uses flour, warm water, sugar, salt, and olive oil, then gets brushed with melted butter and garlic powder after baking. Leave enough time for the dough to rise before dinner. Serve the warm breadsticks with soup or a simple salad, and bring the rest to the table with your main course. There is no need to order a restaurant meal just for the bread.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken
Slices of chicken coated in a sweet-savory glaze make Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken an easy main for a takeout-style dinner. Boneless chicken thighs cook in a skillet, while brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and ground ginger form the sauce. A little cornstarch helps the glaze cling to the meat. Serve the chicken over steamed rice with broccoli or cabbage on the side. It works well when you want the familiar chicken-and-rice order but would rather cook at home.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken
Copycat Smash Burger
A browned patty with crisp edges gives Copycat Smash Burger the appeal of a diner-style burger without a takeout bag. Seasoned ground beef is pressed in a hot skillet, then paired with cheddar and burger buns. Lettuce, tomato, pickles, and spicy mayonnaise give everyone room to build the sandwich they want. Serve the burgers with oven fries and keep the toppings on the table for second helpings. This is an easy way to make a burger-night meal feel a little more like eating out.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Smash Burger
Korean Burgers
Sweet, savory, and a little spicy, Korean Burgers offer a change from the standard drive-through burger. Ground beef gets seasoned with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce, while honey barbecue sauce and chili garlic mayonnaise add flavor to the finished sandwich. Scallions and sesame seed buns round out the build. Serve the burgers with fries or a crunchy slaw for an easy takeout-inspired dinner. The sauce and seasoning bring a different direction to burger night without needing a specialty restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Korean Burgers
General Tso’s Chicken
Crisp chicken pieces coated in a glossy sauce make General Tso’s Chicken a familiar choice when Chinese takeout is on your mind. Cubes of chicken breast are coated with cornstarch, flour, and egg whites before frying. Soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin, garlic, and ginger contribute to the savory-sweet finish. Spoon the chicken over rice and add a side of vegetables to make a full dinner. Serve it promptly so the coating keeps some of its texture beneath the sauce.
Get the Recipe: General Tso’s Chicken
Panda Express Super Greens
Bright green vegetables bring a lighter side to your homemade takeout spread with Panda Express Super Greens. Broccoli, chopped cabbage, and kale are cooked with garlic, soy sauce, and vegetable broth, then finished with sesame oil. The vegetables stay separate from the heavier sauces in the rest of the meal, making them an easy partner for teriyaki chicken or black pepper steak. Spoon them into a serving bowl while warm and let everyone add a helping beside rice and their chosen main dish.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Super Greens
Plant-Based Copycat Impossible Burger
A browned patty and familiar burger toppings make Plant-Based Copycat Impossible Burger an option for a meat-free burger night at home. Portobello mushrooms, cooked brown rice, tempeh, oats, and grated beet are processed into a mixture that can be shaped and cooked in a skillet. Seasonings and a little steak sauce add savory flavor. Put the patties on buns with lettuce, ketchup, and pickles, then serve with fries. This version makes its own burger mixture rather than using a packaged meat substitute.
Get the Recipe: Plant-Based Copycat Impossible Burger
Homemade KFC Zinger Burger
A crisp-coated chicken fillet tucked into a soft bun makes Homemade KFC Zinger Burger a satisfying alternative to the drive-through. Chicken breast is coated with a seasoned flour-and-milk batter, then baked in the oven rather than deep-fried. Paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder flavor the coating, while burger sauce and fresh toppings finish the sandwich. Serve with fries or a simple slaw, and assemble just before eating so the bread and chicken keep their different textures.
Get the Recipe: Homemade KFC Zinger Burger
Panda Express Black Pepper Sirloin Steak
Bold pepper and tender strips of beef make Panda Express Black Pepper Sirloin Steak a good choice for a homemade takeout night. Thinly sliced flank or sirloin steak cooks with red and green bell peppers and onion. Soy sauce, oyster sauce, beef broth, garlic, and black pepper turn into a glossy sauce that coats the beef and vegetables. Serve it over steamed rice with extra greens alongside. This is a useful option when everyone wants a saucy steak dish without ordering several takeout containers.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Black Pepper Sirloin Steak
Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp
A creamy honey coating and sweet walnuts give Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp the restaurant-style finish that makes this dish stand out. Shrimp are coated in a batter made with flour, cornstarch, egg, and sparkling water before frying. A sauce of mayonnaise, honey, and lemon juice goes on afterward, with candied walnuts adding crunch. Serve the shrimp with rice and a side of green vegetables for a takeout-inspired dinner. Keep the walnuts separate until serving if you want them to stay crisp.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp