Copycat Recipes That Aren’t Just Copycats (They’re Culinary Masterpieces): 13 Dishes To Impress Your Friends And Family

Want to impress your friends and family next time they come over? Try making your own versions of famous dishes. This list gives you a fun way to test your cooking skills and treat everyone to a memorable meal. Plus, it’s always a bit of a conversation starter when you can say, “This is just like what you get at your favorite restaurant!”.

Close-up of a hand holding a fork with a bite of copycat Alice spring chicken.
Copycat Alice Spring’s 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.

Nothing quite like a comforting plate of Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins. It’s just like the ones at Cracker Barre that will make everyone feel right at home. It’s a dish that turns a meal into a memorable event, filled with flavor, love, and a hint of Southern charm.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins

Diner Style Salisbury Steak

A plate of Salisbury steak with gravy on mashed potatoes, and a side of peas on a white square dish. The meal is set on a white wooden table beside silver cutlery and a floral napkin.
Diner Style Salisbury Steak. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

If you ever miss that classic American diner experience, whipping up this Diner Style Salisbury Steak brings nostalgia right to your kitchen table. It’s that savory, homestyle patty smothered in rich gravy. It somehow tastes even better when surrounded by friends and family who are thrilled to dig into their plates.
Get the Recipe: Diner Style Salisbury Steak

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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

This cozy Chicken Gnocchi Soup is like a warm hug in a bowl. It’s where tender chicken mingles with soft pillow-like gnocchi and veggies. It creates a decadent combination that promises to wow your guests, especially on those chilly evenings when comfort food is just what the doctor ordered.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka

A hand holding a fork over a bowl of Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka on a wooden table.
Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Serve up some sophistication with this Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka. it brings that restaurant-quality, velvety vodka sauce to your rigatoni. You will get that feeling of fine dining right at your home, and the compliments are just as satisfying as the dish you effortlessly made.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka

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.

Bite into a Firehouse NY Steamer Sandwich. It is stacked with flavorful meats and melty cheese. It’s the kind of hearty, satisfying sandwich that turns a regular gathering into an impromptu feast, and your guests won’t help but be impressed by the mouthwatering layers in each bite.
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.

Having this Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken will surely spark a buzz. It has that amazing blend of heat, sweetness, and a signature crunch. This dish is a crowd-pleaser that offers up a flavor trip right from the comfort of your dining room. What’s not to love?
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.

Packed with pasta and beans in a savory broth, Pasta e Fagioli Soup turns a simple meal into a hearty experience. It will remind you of those cozy Italian kitchens. Your friends and family will marvel at the rich flavors that change this to more than just a soup, but a meal in itself.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup

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.

Adding Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots to the menu gives a sweet twist to your veggies that’s hard to resist. This simple side manages to bring out a diner charm and homemade goodness. It will make your guests wonder if there’s a secret ingredient or if it’s just pure kitchen magic.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots

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.

The creamy decadence of Olive Garden’s Shrimp Alfredo can be recreated on your table. It’s a dish that surprises without fail. The rich sauce and succulent shrimp combination will have everyone already asking when the next pasta night will be before they’ve even finished their plate.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo

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 the joy when you serve up a platter of Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp. It is a statement with that sweet, creamy sauce and the satisfying crunch of candied walnuts. It is a guaranteed hit among your guests who might second guess whether you ordered in or made it yourself.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

Zuppa Toscana Soup

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

Spoonfuls of this Zuppa Toscana Soup guarantee to take your guests straight to Tuscany. Each slurp is packed with Italian sausage in a creamy broth that calls for seconds and even thirds. It will showcase your ability to bring world flavors home. Prepare yourself because you’re going to see their jaws drop.
Get the Recipe: Zuppa Toscana Soup

Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken

Close-up of a hand holding a fork with a bite of copycat Alice spring chicken.
Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Presenting some Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken with its honey mustard and bacon glory promises an eruption of cheers and lip-smacks. It’s the kind of entree that steals the show and cements your reputation as a host who knows their way around a sought-after recipe.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken

Panera Bread Mexican Street Corn Soup

Mexican Street Corn Salad in a bowl.
Panera Bread Mexican Street Corn Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Searching for some warm, comfort food that will soothe your soul? Panera Bread Mexican Street Corn Soup is here for you. It proves you don’t need a pro chef to whip up a soup that bursts with sweet corn and cheesy goodness. Your gang will be all too eager to spoon up every last drop.
Get the Recipe: Panera Bread Mexican Street Corn Soup

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