These Copycat Dishes Aren’t Playing Fair (They’re Too Good to Be True)

Who knew you could stir up a storm in the kitchen with dishes that could fool even the most dedicated restaurant goers? These copycat dishes are so ridiculously good, it’s like having your cake and eating it too — without ever leaving your house. Every spoonful is a silent nod to those secret recipes we all wish we knew. It’s clear these copycat dishes aren’t playing fair; they’re just too good to be true!

Philly Cheesesteak Loaded Tots on parchment paper, topped with Alfredo cheese, green onions, and a drizzle of white sauce, placed on a dark rectangular slate plate.
Copycat Domino’s Philly Cheesesteak Loaded Tots. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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

Slurp alert: this soup is in town, and it’s here to wrap you up in a blanket of oh-so-cozy goodness. The little dumplings, better known as gnocchi, are like tiny pillows floating in a sea of creamy, chickeny bliss. You might be tempted to call up grandma and brag about your soup skills after this. But let’s keep it humble; we both know it’s all in the recipe’s magic.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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.

Hold onto your hats because this sandwich might just transport you to the bustling streets of New York with the first bite. It’s a towering inferno of hearty meats, tangy mustard, and oozy provolone that’s capable of inducing some serious sandwich envy. And here’s the kicker: no skyscraper-sized deli lines to navigate, just your kitchen and maybe a famished friend from the fifth floor. It’s the deli dream without the deli, folks.
Get the Recipe: Firehouse NY Steamer Sandwich

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

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

Don’t be fooled; this isn’t just soup, it’s a full-on Italian escapade in a bowl. And this bowl’s got a plot twist—beans, pasta, and that simmered-all-day flavor that somehow happened between your coffee break and news binge. You might not speak Italian, but after a hearty bowl of this, you’ll definitely be saying ‘delizioso’ with a pretty convincing accent.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli 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 Six.

There’s something sneaky about this Alice Springs Chicken. It serves up a familiar Outback Steakhouse experience right at your table, without the wait for a table. It’s chicken that’s marinated to the point of perfection, layered with mushrooms, bacon, and melted cheese that will make you question whether you’re out to dine or at your dining table at home.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken

Creamy Jalapeno Dip

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

There’s nothing covert about the love affair between your chip and this spicy, creamy concoction. When it struts onto your snack table, it’s less of a dip and more of a full-on flavor festival. Sure, it’s got a little zing, but it’s the kind of zing that has you and your guests coming back for “just one more” until poof, it’s gone. It’s the party hero that never gets old and always plays nice with your favorite tortilla chips.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Jalapeno Dip

Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe

A bowl of Texas roadhouse chili with jalapenos and beans.
Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Y’all ready for this chili showdown? It springs out the gate with a hearty mix of beef and beans that’s got enough gusto to make a cowboy tip his hat. Sure, it’s a copycat, but after sinking your spoon into this bold, spicy number, you’ll swear you can hear the distant twang of a guitar. It’s a honky-tonk dance in your mouth, and everyone’s invited.
Get the Recipe: Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe

Zuppa Toscana Soup

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

If this soup were a pop star, it’d be hitting all the high notes and leaving the crowd begging for an encore. It’s got sass, it’s got class, and it’s jam-packed with sausage, potatoes and just the right amount of kale to make you feel wholesome. No need for reservations at that joint with the endless breadsticks; you’ve got all the magic you need right here. So, grab your spoons, and let’s rock this soup concert!
Get the Recipe: Zuppa Toscana Soup

Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers

A plate of Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers sprinkled with chopped herbs.
Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

When you usher in this dish of sausage and peppers, it’s like inviting the Italian countryside right onto your dinner plate. It’s a symphony of sizzle that’ll have your whole block peeking through the windows, wondering if there’s a hidden trattoria in your dining room. Pass the bread, uncork the chianti, and let’s get this rustic feast started—no passport required!
Get the Recipe: Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers

Copycat Applebee’s Spinach-Artichoke Dip

A hand dipping a tortilla chip into a tray of Copycat Applebee’s spinach artichoke dip.
Copycat Applebee’s Spinach-Artichoke Dip. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Whoever said spinach wasn’t fun clearly never met this creamy, dreamy bowl of green. This dip’s ready to muscle its way into every gathering, turning skeptics into spinach-artichoke believers with each gooey scoop. Forget the chain restaurant vibes; this mix is all about that homemade hype. Throw on an apron, call the crew, and let’s get that bread dipping.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Applebee’s Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots

A tray of cheddar bacon loaded tater tots, drizzled with Alfredo sauce, with a hand-picking one up.
Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Listen here, these taters are causing quite the tot commotion with their cheddar-and-bacon goodness. It’s a snack that doesn’t just enter a room; it does a full-on, crispy bacon-flavored mic drop. And the best part? They’re perfectly poppable, shareable, and lovable, all from the comfort of your stretchy pants territory.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots

Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup

Two bowls of Copycat Carrabba's Mama Mandola's Sicilian Chicken Soup, accompanied by two spoons, a black pepper grinder, and a napkin.
Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

This bowl of Sicilian heartiness might have you talking with your hands and kissing your fingers in culinary delight. It’s a soup straight out of Mama Mandola’s secret recipe book—rich with chicken, veggies, and just the right touch of Italian flair. No need to jet to Sicily; lay out the red-checkered tablecloth and ladle up some love, one steamy bowl at a time.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup

Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup

A closeup of Jason's Deli Irish Potato Soup.`
Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

This creamy, dreamy, potato-packed bowl of soup is like a wee bit of Ireland served up right where you are. Each spoonful whispers tales of rolling green hills and charming, limerick-spouting locals. And let’s not forget the bacon. Oh, the bacon—it’s the cherry on top, only better, because it’s bacon, and everything is better with bacon.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup

Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich

Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich on a white plate with chips.
Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

This sandwich is the unspoken hero of the Midwest, with its heap of perfectly seasoned ground beef nestled in a bun. It’s like a burger, but looser, messier, and somehow even more addictive. You don’t claim to be a master chef, but one bite of this and the family might just start calling you “chef” anyway. So, bib up and get ready for a sandwich that’s maid-right, every single time.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich

Copycat Domino’s Philly Cheesesteak Loaded Tots

Philly Cheesesteak Loaded Tots on parchment paper, topped with Alfredo cheese, green onions, and a drizzle of white sauce, placed on a dark rectangular slate plate.
Copycat Domino’s Philly Cheesesteak Loaded Tots. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

If Philly had a taste, this would be it—steak, peppers, onions, and a cascade of cheese atop golden tots. It’s a brotherly love kind of thing, all snuggled up in a snack so hearty, you might forget it’s not actually a cheesesteak. These loaded tots could very well be the peace offering for that sports feud—you know the one. So spread the love, pass the plate, and let’s get into it.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Domino’s Philly Cheesesteak Loaded Tots

Panera Bread Mexican Street Corn Soup

Mexican street style corn soup in a white bowl on a white plate.
Panera Bread Mexican Street Corn Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Well, howdy, street festival in a bowl! Who knew that tossing some charred corn with jalapenos and a velvety broth could lead to such fireworks? This soup’s got rhythm, it’s got music, and it’s even got cheese—because why not? Let the mariachi band in your head start playing, because each spoonful is a fiesta waiting to happen.
Get the Recipe: Panera Bread Mexican Street Corn Soup

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