A few takeout orders can quickly use up the money you planned to spend on groceries for the week. These 21 copycat recipes offer homemade versions of familiar restaurant dishes, from crispy chicken and saucy beef to loaded burgers, creamy pasta, and sweet treats. Some are quick enough for a weeknight, while others give you a chance to make a restaurant-style dinner without ordering delivery. You can choose the dishes your household already enjoys and make them part of your regular meal plan.
General Tso’s Chicken
Crispy chicken coated in a glossy, sweet-and-spicy sauce makes General Tso’s Chicken a homemade alternative to ordering Chinese takeout. Chicken breast pieces are marinated with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger before being coated and fried until golden. The sauce combines hoisin, rice vinegar, garlic, and red pepper flakes for a rich finish. The recipe makes six servings in one hour. Serve it over steamed rice with green onions for a filling dinner that brings familiar takeout flavors to your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: General Tso’s Chicken
Copycat Starbucks Cake Pop
A soft vanilla cake center beneath a sweet chocolate coating makes Copycat Starbucks Cake Pop a homemade alternative to picking up a treat with your coffee. Vanilla cake crumbs are mixed with butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla before being shaped into balls and dipped in colored white chocolate. The recipe makes 24 cake pops, giving you plenty for sharing or saving for another day. Make a batch when you have time for baking, then serve them as a small dessert with your afternoon coffee.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Starbucks Cake Pop
Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
Tender chicken coated in a glossy sauce makes Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry a practical dinner when you want takeout-style food without ordering delivery. The combination of chicken, vegetables, and teriyaki sauce creates a substantial dish with a balance of savory and sweet flavors. Everything comes together in a skillet, making it suitable for evenings when you have limited time for cooking. Spoon it over steamed rice or noodles, and you have a complete meal that can replace your usual stir-fry order.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
Bang Bang Shrimp
A crisp coating and creamy, sweet-and-spicy sauce give Bang Bang Shrimp the familiar appeal of a restaurant appetizer. The shrimp are coated and cooked before being tossed with the signature sauce, creating a combination of crunchy texture and rich flavor. Serve them over rice with vegetables when you want to turn a restaurant-style starter into a more substantial meal. They also work as an appetizer before a homemade dinner when ordering several dishes from a restaurant would stretch the week’s food budget.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp
Plant-Based Copycat Impossible Burger
A juicy patty with a browned exterior makes Plant-Based Copycat Impossible Burger a homemade option for nights when a burger order sounds tempting. The recipe recreates the familiar burger experience with a plant-based patty that can be served in a soft bun with lettuce, tomatoes, and your preferred sauces. Add oven fries or a simple salad to complete the meal. Making the burgers at home also lets everyone choose their own toppings without placing separate orders or adding extra sides to the bill.
Get the Recipe: Plant-Based Copycat Impossible Burger
Big Mac Crunchwrap
A golden tortilla wrapped around a hearty burger filling gives Big Mac Crunchwrap the familiar flavors of a fast-food burger in a different form. Seasoned ground beef, cheese, lettuce, pickles, and a creamy burger-style sauce come together inside a folded tortilla that is cooked until crisp. Each wrap can be served as a handheld dinner without needing separate burger buns. Pair it with homemade fries or a simple salad when you want the flavor of a burger meal without making a trip to the drive-thru.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Crunchwrap
Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken
Tender chicken covered in a glossy, sweet-and-savory sauce makes Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken a practical alternative to picking up a restaurant rice bowl. The chicken is cooked and coated with a teriyaki-style sauce that brings together familiar sweet and salty flavors. Serve it over steamed rice with broccoli or other vegetables for a filling dinner that resembles a takeout plate. The homemade version also gives you control over the portion sizes and sides, so you can prepare exactly what your household needs.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken
Homemade KFC Zinger Burger
A crunchy chicken fillet tucked inside a soft bun gives Homemade KFC Zinger Burger the familiar appeal of a spicy fast-food sandwich. The chicken is seasoned, coated, and baked until golden before being assembled with lettuce and a creamy sauce. The combination of crisp chicken and fresh toppings makes it substantial enough for dinner without needing several extra dishes. Serve it with homemade potato wedges or a small salad when everyone wants a burger night but another drive-thru order isn’t in the budget.
Get the Recipe: Homemade KFC Zinger Burger
Sweet and Sour Pork
Crispy pieces of pork coated in a glossy, tangy sauce make Sweet and Sour Pork a familiar alternative to ordering from your local Chinese restaurant. The dish combines pork with bell peppers, pineapple, and a sweet-and-sour sauce that balances fruitiness with a savory finish. Spoon everything over steamed rice to make the most of the sauce. This works well for a family dinner when you want the variety of a restaurant-style meal without paying for several individual takeout containers.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Pork
Chicken Tikka Masala
Tender pieces of chicken in a rich, creamy tomato sauce make Chicken Tikka Masala a substantial dinner for evenings when ordering Indian food sounds tempting. The chicken is seasoned with aromatic spices, while the sauce brings together tomatoes, cream, and additional seasonings for a deeply flavored finish. Serve it with basmati rice or warm naan to make a complete meal. The sauce is especially useful for coating every bite of rice, giving you a restaurant-style dinner without relying on a delivery order.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala
Mushroom Tacos
Warm tortillas filled with savory, seasoned mushrooms make Mushroom Tacos an easy choice when you’re tempted to order tacos instead of cooking. The mushrooms are cooked with smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and lime juice, creating a filling with a little heat and plenty of flavor. Add shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and your preferred toppings before serving. This recipe works particularly well for a weeknight dinner because everyone can assemble their own tacos without needing several separate dishes or a long cooking session.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Tacos
Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings
A golden, seasoned coating gives Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings the familiar flavor of restaurant wings without requiring a takeout order. The chicken wings are coated with a Louisiana-inspired seasoning blend that delivers a savory, slightly spicy finish. Serve them with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and a creamy dipping sauce for a complete wing-night spread. They are especially useful when several people want to share one large batch instead of ordering individual portions with separate sauces and sides.
Get the Recipe: Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings
Raising Cane Tenders
A crisp exterior and tender chicken center make Raising Cane Tenders a homemade alternative to the familiar fast-food chicken basket. The chicken is coated in seasoned breading and cooked until golden, creating the contrast between crunchy coating and juicy meat that makes chicken tenders so appealing. Serve them with a creamy dipping sauce, homemade fries, and a little coleslaw. This is a practical dinner for households with different appetites because everyone can choose how many tenders and sides they want on their plate.
Get the Recipe: Raising Cane Tenders
Copycat Chipotle Sofritas
A smoky, seasoned tofu filling makes Copycat Chipotle Sofritas a useful base for homemade burrito bowls, tacos, and wraps. The tofu is crumbled and combined with a flavorful sauce inspired by the familiar restaurant filling, giving it a rich texture that works well with rice and beans. Add lettuce, salsa, and your preferred toppings to complete the meal. Making a batch at home also lets you use the same filling in different dishes throughout the week instead of purchasing another restaurant bowl whenever lunch gets busy.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Sofritas
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites
Crispy little bites with a creamy, spicy cheese center make Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites a homemade alternative to ordering restaurant appetizers. The filling combines cheese with jalapeños before being shaped, coated, and cooked until golden. Serve them warm with ranch dressing or another creamy dipping sauce to balance the heat. These work well as a starter for a homemade burger night or as part of a casual weekend dinner when ordering several restaurant appetizers would quickly increase the bill.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites
Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara
Tender ravioli coated in a rich, creamy sauce makes Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara a filling dinner when you’re craving restaurant pasta. The recipe brings together cheese-filled ravioli and a carbonara-inspired sauce for a dish that offers plenty of richness without requiring a trip to a restaurant. Serve it with a green salad or warm bread to complete the meal. This is a useful choice for evenings when you want something more substantial than plain pasta but don’t want to order an entire restaurant dinner.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara
Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Small pieces of chicken with a golden, crispy coating make Chick-fil-A Nuggets a familiar choice for a homemade fast-food dinner. The bite-sized chicken pieces are seasoned, coated, and cooked until crisp, making them easy to portion for different appetites. Pair them with homemade fries, a simple salad, or your preferred dipping sauce. Keeping the meal homemade also means you can prepare a larger batch for sharing instead of ordering several individual nugget meals when everyone wants the same thing for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Buttery Cheddar Biscuits
Fluffy centers, golden tops, and a rich buttery finish make Buttery Cheddar Biscuits a welcome addition to a homemade restaurant-style dinner. Cheddar cheese brings a savory flavor to the dough, while the buttery topping gives each biscuit the familiar appeal of a restaurant bread basket. Serve them warm beside soup, chicken, or a hearty main dish. Making a batch at home gives you a side that can accompany several different meals instead of adding another restaurant-style extra to your takeout order.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Cheddar Biscuits
Panda Express Super Greens
Tender vegetables with a lightly seasoned finish make Panda Express Super Greens a practical side when you want a homemade version of your usual restaurant bowl. The combination of broccoli, cabbage, and kale adds color and variety to a plate of chicken, beef, or tofu. Serve the vegetables alongside rice and your chosen main dish for a balanced dinner. Preparing the side at home also lets you make enough for the whole table without ordering extra vegetable portions from a restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Super Greens
Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana
A creamy broth filled with savory sausage, tender potatoes, and kale makes Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana a substantial soup for evenings when a restaurant dinner sounds tempting. The combination of hearty ingredients and rich broth creates a filling bowl that works well as the main course. Serve it with warm bread or a small green salad to complete the meal. Making a pot at home also provides an alternative to ordering individual bowls of soup when several people want the same restaurant-style dinner.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana
Panda Express Beijing Beef
Crispy pieces of beef coated in a glossy, sweet-and-tangy sauce make Panda Express Beijing Beef a flavorful alternative to ordering another Chinese takeout dinner. The beef is paired with bell peppers and onions, giving the dish a mixture of crunchy texture, tender vegetables, and rich sauce. Serve everything over steamed rice for a substantial meal that resembles a familiar restaurant plate. This is a useful choice when you want a takeout-style dinner at home without adding multiple entrées and sides to a delivery order.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Beijing Beef