Skip The Take-out: 13 Copycat Recipes Way Better From Scratch

Ever thought about why food tastes so much better when you put a bit of effort into making it? There’s something awesome about serving up a dish you made with your own hands, especially when it’s a hit with everyone at the table. That’s the magic of these 13 copycat recipes. They’re your roadmap to turning “just another meal” into a mini celebration.

Kung Pao Chicken in a bowl with a bowl of rice in the background.
Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins

Two bowls of Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Who knew that recreating Cracker Barrel’s classic dish at home could give the original a run for its money? Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins have simmered chicken until it’s fall-apart tender and pillowy dumplings. It is a comforting bowl that feels like a warm hug.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins

Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo

A bowl of olive garden creamy shrimp alfredo pasta served in a black bowl with a spoon.
Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Making Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo in your kitchen doesn’t just save you a trip. It upgrades the dish to a whole new level where the shrimp is always perfectly cooked. The Alfredo sauce is richer and silkier, and you’ve got the power to toss in as much or as little parmesan as your heart desires.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo

Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots

A bowl of Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots in a bowl.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Those sweet, buttery treats from Cracker Barrel might seem irreplaceable until you try making them at home. Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots uses fresh baby carrots and you can adjust the sweetness to your liking. You can maybe add a pinch of your favorite spice to kick it up a notch.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots

Creamy Jalapeno Dip

Creamy Jalapeno Dip in a bowl with chip nearby.
Creamy Jalapeno Dip. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This homemade version of the Creamy Jalapeno Dip turns the heat up on flavor. It also allows you to adjust the spiciness to your taste, ensuring every bite is as mild or as fiery as you like. It is amazing for those who love control over their condiments. It is a must-try for sure!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Jalapeno Dip

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Two Chicken Gnocchi Soup copycat soup recipes on a table.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Something you can’t stop craving when you make it at home? That is Chicken Gnocchi Soup. It has fresh veggies, tender chicken, and pillowy gnocchi. It turns from a simple soup to a hearty meal that surpasses anything you’d get from a takeout container.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce in a black skillet.
Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Olive Garden might have made this sauce famous, but in your kitchen, it becomes legendary. Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce has fresh cream and real butter that can beat the restaurant’s version every time. It’s a sauce so rich and decadent, it’ll become the new gold standard in your house.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

A plate of Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp served on a white rectangular dish.
Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Think about biting into perfectly crispy shrimp coated in that sweet and creamy honey walnut sauce. Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp will make you realize you made something better than what you’ve tasted at Panda Express. You might even dream about this dish for days!
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

Firehouse NY Steamer Sandwich

An open-face NY Steamer sub copycat on a plate with Italian dressing.
Firehouse NY Steamer Sandwich. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When you make this Firehouse NY Steamer Sandwich at home, it’s not just about stacking meat on bread. It’s about layering flavors meticulously, choosing the best condiments, and toasting the bread to just the right crunch. It proves that a sandwich made in your kitchen can easily outshine the original.
Get the Recipe: Firehouse NY Steamer Sandwich

Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken in a bowl with a bowl of rice in the background.
Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Bringing the bold flavors of Panda Express into your kitchen with this Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken. It means you’re in charge of the spice, the crunch, and the umami, ensuring every bite is tailored to your preferences. It is a personalized feast that’s leagues ahead of the fast-food version.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Pasta e Fagioli Soup in 2 bowls with spoons.
Pasta e Fagioli Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Recreating Pasta e Fagioli Soup at home not only fills your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas. It also lets you tweak the ingredients so every spoonful is brimming with your favorite veggies, beans, and pasta. It turns a takeout favorite into a personalized comfort dish for chilly days.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes

Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Croquettes on a white plate with tomatoes and broccoli.
Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Whipping up these Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes means you’re not just cooking. You’re creating magic in the kitchen, where the crunchy exterior meets the succulent pork filling in a way that’s just not possible from a box meal. It guarantees your version is always the crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes

Zuppa Toscana Soup

Low Carb Zuppa Toscana Soup in a white round bowl with small handles.
Zuppa Toscana Soup. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

The homemade goodness of Zuppa Toscana Soup brings Tuscany right to your home. It uses fresher ingredients and gives you the freedom to adjust the creamy, spicy broth to your heart’s content. It changes this Olive Garden favorite into something uniquely your own. Hurry and grab a spoon!
Get the Recipe: Zuppa Toscana Soup

Diner Style Salisbury Steak

A plate of Salisbury steak with gravy on mashed potatoes, and a side of peas on a white square dish.
Diner Style Salisbury Steak. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Taking on this Diner Style Salisbury Steak at home is your ticket to nostalgia with a high-end twist. It is where the steaks are juicier, the gravy richer, and the satisfaction of nailing that iconic flavor profile with a personal touch. It makes you wonder why you’d ever order it from a diner again.
Get the Recipe: Diner Style Salisbury Steak

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