30 Easy Restaurant Copycat Recipes We Love (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Easy

Updated: Mar. 01, 2024

Conquer your cravings in a flash with these easy copycat recipes. By dining at home you'll save some extra time—and cash!

1/29

Inspired by: Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

I tasted a similar soup at Olive Garden and wanted to see if I could re-create it myself at home. Here’s the delicious result! It’s wonderful on a cool evening. —Jaclynn Robinson, Shingletown, California

Get Our Recipe for Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

2/29

Inspired by: Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

My biscuits won the prize for best quick bread at my county fair. One of the judges liked them so much, she asked for the recipe! These buttery, savory biscuits go with just about anything. —Gloria Jarrett, Loveland, Ohio

Here’s more on how to make Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits.

3/29

Inspired by: Noodles and Company Penne Rosa

I reworked this recipe from an original that called for vodka and heavy whipping cream. My friends and family had a hard time believing a sauce this rich, flavorful and creamy could be light. —Margaret Wilson, Hemet, California

4/29

Inspired by: KFC The Original Recipe

If you've wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep-fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana

For more, check out these copycat chicken recipes.

5/29

Inspired by: Chipotle Guacamole and Chips

I always judge a Tex-Mex restaurant by its guacamole. And although it's simple to prepare, it can go wrong oh, so easily. I've spent many years perfecting mine, to the point where I think it's better than most restaurants. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

6/29

Inspired by: Culver's Butterburger

It’s no secret that Wisconsinites love their dairy—so much that they sometimes top their burgers with a generous pat of butter. My recipe is a lot like the butter burgers you’ll find in popular restaurants all over the state. —Becky Carver, North Royalton, Ohio

This year we’ve been making our favorite menu items at home—and now you can, too! Take a look at our collection of the best copycat recipes of 2022.

7/29

Inspired by: Panda Express Orange Chicken

We enjoy these tangy nuggets so many ways—over noodles or rice, in sandwiches, even on top of lettuce and cabbage. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Whip up one of these copycat Chinese takeout recipes for dinner tonight.

8/29

Inspired by: Olive Garden Breadsticks

I love to experiment in the kitchen with simple ingredients like refrigerated biscuits. The results are usually a big hit—these super fast breadsticks are an example. —Billy Hensley, Mount Carmel, Tennessee. Hungry for more? Check out our favorite Domino’s cheesy bread recipe.

9/29

Inspired by: Orange Julius Original

I love to treat overnight guests to this creamy orange frappe. Just blitz a few basic ingredients in your blender and enjoy. —Joyce Mummau, Mount Airy, Maryland

10/29

Inspired by: McCalister's Deli Harvest Chicken Salad

These sandwiches are easy to pull together when you need something fun and taste-worthy in a flash. I make them often for occasions like brunches, church youth meetings and impromptu family gatherings. —Cheryl Sigler, Louisville, Ohio

11/29

Inspired by: Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana

I let my young son pick out seed packets and he chose kale, which grew like crazy. This hearty soup helped make good use of it and rivals the Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana. —Michelle Babbie, Malone, New York

12/29

Inspired by: Taco Bell Grilled Breakfast Burrito

Zap one of these frozen burritos in the microwave and you'll stave off hunger all morning. This recipe is my family’s favorite combo, but I sometimes use breakfast sausage instead of bacon. —Audra Niederman, Aberdeen, South Dakota

13/29

Inspired by: Starbucks Caffe Mocha

When I'm sipping this delicious coffee, I almost feel as if I'm visiting my favorite coffeehouse. —Jill Rodriguez, Gonzales, Louisiana

14/29

Inspired by: McDonald's Chicken McNuggets

My 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama

15/29

Inspired by: Panera Bread Mac and Cheese

My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

16/29

Inspired by: SONIC Corn Dogs

One of the best parts of the many fairs and festivals in Indiana is the corn dogs! My family loves corn dogs, so I fix them fairly often at home. —Sally Denney, Warsaw, Indiana

17/29

Inspired by: Panera Bread Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad

My family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan

18/29

Inspired by: Red Robin Burnin' Love Burger

On a whim, we mixed homemade jalapeno jam into ground beef patties, then topped the burgers with caramelized onions and tangy Gorgonzola cheese. Fabulous! —Becky Mollenkamp, St. Louis, Missouri

19/29

Inspired by: McDonald's Shamrock Shake

Save a sleeve of Girl Scout cookies for this creamy milkshake that's fun for kids and adults, too. —Shauna Sever, San Francisco, California

20/29

Inspired by: Qdoba Chips and Queso

Years ago, my husband invented this gooey cheese dip. I may be biased, but I have to say it's excellent. If you like heat, rev it up with finely chopped jalapenos. —Patricia Leinheiser, Albuquerque, New Mexico

21/29

Inspired by: Waffle House Regular Waffle

These melt-in-your-mouth waffles are so tender that you can skip butter and syrup, but why would you want to?—James Schend, Dairy Freed

22/29

Inspired by: Cracker Barrel Chicken n' Dumplins

Using precooked chicken and ready-made biscuits, this hearty dish is comfort food made simple. It's the perfect way to warm up on chilly nights. —Lakeya Astwood, Schenectady, New York

23/29

Inspired by: KFC Cole Slaw

For Friday dinners, my mother made coleslaw to go with our fish. It’s still a family tradition, and the tangy dressing even works on a tossed salad. —Cynthia McDowell, Banning, California

24/29

Inspired by: Charley's Philly Steaks Philly Cheese Steak

This cheesesteak, an iconic sandwich in Philly, is a bestseller at Pat's King of Steaks restaurant. Patrons praise its thinly cut beef and crusty Italian rolls. —Frank Olivieri, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

25/29

Inspired by: Dairy Queen S'mores Blizzard Treat

When cabin fever hits, we whip up a beverage that tastes like s’mores. Oven-toasted marshmallows and a blender make it happen. —Sarah McKenna, Centennial, Colorado

26/29

Inspired by: PF Chang's Lettuce Wraps

This recipe is as tasty as the lettuce wraps found in national restaurants, but it’s healthier! — Linda Rowley, Richardson, Texas. If you’re looking for more healthy recipes, then you must check out our collection of healthy copycat recipes.

27/29

Inspired by: IHOP Blueberry Pancakes

My dad makes blueberry pancakes for us every Saturday without fail. The combination of oats, cornmeal and buttermilk in the batter gives the pancakes heartiness we can't resist. —Gabrielle Short, Pleasant Hill, Iowa

28/29

Inspired by: Culver's Wisconsin Cheese Curds

These beer-battered cheese curds are the ultimate in delicious comfort food. Some folks like to serve them with ranch dressing, ketchup or barbecue sauce for dipping. —Katie Rose, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

29/29

Inspired by: The Cheesecake Factory Spicy Cashew Chicken

There are lots of recipes for cashew chicken, but my family thinks this one stands alone. We love the flavor from the fresh ginger and the crunch of the cashews. Another plus is it’s easy to prepare. —Oma Rollison, El Cajon, California. Looking for more copycat recipes from The Cheesecake Factory? Try our favorite cheeseburger egg rolls.

Originally Published: November 01, 2021