13 Copycat Recipes That Didn’t Require A Secret Handshake To Acquire

Ever wish you could recreate restaurant classics without all the guesswork? That’s what these copycat recipes are for. They’re simple, with clear instructions that anyone can tackle. Now, any night can feel like a special dining-out experience, but you get to stay comfortable at home. No secret handshake was required to acquire these at all!

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.

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.

Bringing home the comforting taste of Cracker Barrel is this Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins. It perfectly captures the simplicity and warmth of the dish. It’s made for those who enjoy hearty, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meals, without the need for any secret ingredients.
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.
Diner Style Salisbury Steak. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Copy the classic hearty flavors found at any good diner. This Diner Style Salisbury Steak recipe serves up that same savory satisfaction that you look forward to when you slide into a booth. This tried-and-true meal can now be the star of the dining table at home without cryptic steps.
Get the Recipe: Diner Style Salisbury Steak

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.

The sweetness and simplicity of Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots are now within easy reach. It’s for anyone looking for that nostalgic side dish. This copycat recipe recreates that familiar taste found in the homestyle wonders of the chain without any hidden gimmicks.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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

Scoop up a bowlful of that creamy, dreamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup just like the one you’ve savored at restaurants. With this recipe, you can do just that! It’s straightforward, without any need for a behind-the-scenes secret, ensuring you can ladle out that comfort by the spoonful whenever the craving hits.
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.

Mastering restaurant-quality Alfredo sauce is no longer hidden in mystery. This Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce recipe breaks it down, letting anyone achieve that rich, creamy pasta perfection. The result is a luscious coating for your favorite noodles, made effortlessly in your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

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

Recreating the rustic Italian charm of Pasta e Fagioli Soup at home has never been easier with this copycat recipe. It captures all the bold, tomatoey comfort found in the restaurant version. It allows you to bring that beloved pot to your own stovetop, minus any difficult steps or ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup

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.

Enjoy a bit of that Panda Express flair without the drive-thru with this crispy, sweet Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp. It offers the same crunch and caramelized walnuts you know and love. Best of all, it’s available to whip up with items you probably already have in your pantry.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

Creamy Jalapeno Dip

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

With this Creamy Jalapeno Dip copycat, you can summon the bold, spicy kick of a well-loved restaurant appetizer anytime the urge strikes. It’s a straight-shooting recipe that delivers all the flavor with none of the runaround. This turns ordinary snacking into an event.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Jalapeno Dip

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.

Channel the tangy thrill of Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken from your own kitchen with this no-nonsense recipe. You’ll be stir-frying up a batch of this fiery favorite in no time with zero secrecy involved. It brings that satisfying heat and nuttiness to your dining table with ease.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

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.

If you’ve got a craving for a hearty, meaty sandwich like this Firehouse NY Steamer Sandwich, you’re in luck! This copycat version brings all that deli magic straight to your home. It’s as close as you’ll get without actually visiting the sub shop. No secret sauce is required.
Get the Recipe: Firehouse NY Steamer Sandwich

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.

Now anyone can twirl up a forkful of Olive Garden’s Shrimp Alfredo with this straightforward recipe. It trades gatekeeping for generosity, offering a way to craft that creamy, seafood pasta experience at home. it guarantees that the taste is just as memorable without the need for any insider info.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo

Zuppa Toscana Soup

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

Satisfy those soup cravings with a homemade take on the well-loved Zuppa Toscana Soup. It’s a recipe that welcomes you to enjoy all the rich and savory layers you’d find in a restaurant bowl. It’s a user-friendly guide to simmering up this classic, requiring no cloak-and-dagger tactics.
Get the Recipe: Zuppa Toscana 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.

Dig into an irresistible dish with Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka without needing to book a reservation. This replicates the luxurious sauce and tender pasta that has captured hearts. It will invite you to create a high-end meal at home without any hidden steps or specialized knowledge.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka

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