25 Restaurant Recipes You Can Make at Home (No Tip Required!) (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food

25 Restaurant Recipes You Can Make at Home (No Tip Required!) (1)Julie MeyersUpdated: Feb. 21, 2024

    Make quality meals at home with these tasty versions of takeout, fast food and restaurant staples. We have copycat ideas for soups, steaks, Italian dishes and more.

    Cheesy Broccoli Soup in a Bread Bowl

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    This creamy, cheesy broccoli soup tastes just like the one served at Panera Bread! My family requests it all the time. You can even make your own homemade bread bowls with the recipe on my blog, Yammie’s Noshery. —Rachel Preus, Marshall, Michigan

    Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins

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    Wondering how to make potato skins taste great? Both crisp and hearty, this restaurant-quality snack is one that my family requests often. —Trish Perrin, Keizer, Oregon

    Sour Cream-Lemon Pie

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    I first tasted this pie at a local restaurant and hunted around until I found a similar recipe—now it's my husband's favorite. —Martha Sorensen, Fallon, Nevada

    Amazing Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

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    I love Chinese takeout food, but I know that it’s very high in sodium and fat. So I got to work at home and created a healthier version. Now I have peace of mind knowing what ingredients are in this slow cooker orange chicken and that it’s better for my family. —Barbara J. Miller, Oakdale, Minnesota

    Eggplant Rollatini

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    TMB Studio

    Want to learn how to cook eggplant? Here's where to start. These authentic eggplant roll-ups may take some time to prepare, but the end result is restaurant-quality. Your family will request this recipe time and again. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana

    California Sushi Rolls

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    These taste as good as any restaurant or store-bought California rolls. Plus, this is one of the easiest sushi recipes to make! For the best results, use sushi rice to ensure the right sticky consistency. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Broccoli Shrimp Alfredo

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    Taste of Home

    After tasting fettuccine Alfredo at a restaurant, I came up with this shrimp Alfredo with broccoli version at home. Not only does my family love the creamy dish, but my husband prefers it to the one at the restaurant. —Rae Natoli, Kingston, New York

    Chicken Tostada Cups

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    Several years ago I tried a version of these cups at a restaurant in Santa Fe, and I wanted to make my own spin. They're perfect for gatherings where you can let everyone add their own favorite toppings. —Marla Clark, Moriarty, New Mexico

    Pumpkin Pie Latte

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    Taste of Home

    I can't wait for fall to arrive so my favorite coffee shops will bring back pumpkin lattes. The rest of the year, I have to make my own version. With the right amount of spice, it tastes just like the popular version found at gourmet coffee shops.—Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

    Crispy Beer-Battered Fish

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    A local restaurant made a similar breading for shrimp po' boys, but we think this version's better. I serve the beer battered fish with a ranch dressing and hot sauce mixture as a dip. —Jenny Wenzel, Gulfport, Mississippi

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    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

    Garlic-Butter Steak

    Made in a skillet, this quick-and-easy garlic butter steak is restaurant-quality and sure to become a staple at your house, too! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

    Greek Beef Pitas

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    Taste of Home

    A local restaurant that's famous for pitas inspired me to make my own Greek-style sandwiches at home. Feel free to add olives if you'd like. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana

    Burnt Custard

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    Taste of Home

    The recipe for this smooth-as-silk custard came from a local restaurant years ago. With its broiled topping it looks pretty in individual cups. —Heidi Main, Anchorage, Alaska

    Mexican Homemade Salsa

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    In the summertime, I love to make this easy, zippy homemade salsa recipe with fresh tomatoes from my garden. I even have a special pan for roasting the peppers. —Roger Stenman, Batavia, Illinois

    Beef Stew Provencal

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    When I was young, my favorite food to order in a restaurant was beef stew. My mother and I decided to create our own and experimented with different ingredients until we came up with this recipe. Everyone liked this slow cooker version so much that now it's a tradition every time the whole family is together. —Chelsey Larsen, Sparks, Nevada

    Seasoned Tilapia Fillets

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    Taste of Home

    If you need a healthy, keep-it-simple solution to dinner tonight, you just found it. This restaurant-quality tilapia fillet recipe relies on spices you're likely to have on hand to deliver big flavor. This is how to make tilapia. —Dana Alexander, Lebanon, Missouri

    Authentic German Potato Salad

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    This authentic German potato salad recipe came from Speck’s Restaurant, which was a famous eating establishment in St. Louis from the 1920s through the ‘50s. I ate lunch there almost every day and always ordered the potato salad. When the owner learned I was getting married, he gave me the recipe as a wedding gift! —Violette Klevorn, Washington, Missouri

    Pat's King of Steaks Philly Cheesesteak

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    Taste of Home

    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

    Pasta fa*gioli Soup

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    TMB studio

    My husband enjoys my version of this dish so much that he doesn’t order it at restaurants anymore. With fresh spinach, pasta and seasoned sausage, this fast-to-fix soup is a meal on its own. —Brenda Thomas, Springfield, Missouri

    My Best-Ever Jambalaya

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    I tried to mimic Jambalaya from my favorite restaurant and it turned out so well my daughter and husband now prefer my recipe and won't order it when we go to the restaurant! —Alexis Van Vulpen, St. Albert, Alberta

    Cheesy Chili Fries

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    My family is all about chili fries, but restaurant versions pile on the calories. For a healthier approach, bake the fries and serve them with green onions and avocado. —Beverly Nowling, Bristol, Florida

    Golden Chicken Nuggets

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    Taste of Home

    The ultimate bite-size treats, chicken nuggets get the star treatment when you make them at home. I usually serve these herb-breaded baked bites with a sweet-and-sour sauce for dipping. —Karen Owen, Rising Sun, Indiana

    Cajun Sirloin with Mushroom Leek Sauce

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    In 30 minutes you‘ll have a restaurant-quality steak with a bold Cajun flair. The best part? You can skip the drive, the wait and the bill! —Joshua Keefer, Delaware, Ohio

    Originally Published: July 10, 2019

    25 Restaurant Recipes You Can Make at Home (No Tip Required!) (2024)

    FAQs

    How to make a $20 meal? ›

    20 Meals to Make for Less Than $20
    1. Oven Roasted Whole Chicken with Vegetables.
    2. Slow Cooker / Crockpot Roast Beef and Gravy.
    3. The Perfect Pot Roast.
    4. Creamy Parmesan Garlic Pork Chops.
    5. One-Pot Turmeric Chicken and Rice Casserole.
    Jan 25, 2023

    How can I feed 50 guests cheaply? ›

    Feed the masses without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly dishes.
    1. Mexican Lasagne. A spicy lasagne for those of us who love Mexican and Italian food. ...
    2. Cheese Cob Dip. ...
    3. The Best Burger in Oz. ...
    4. Kangaroo Casserole. ...
    5. Sausage Casserole. ...
    6. Nanna's golden sausage casserole. ...
    7. Quiche Lorraine. ...
    8. Turkey and Pumpkin Lasagne.

    What is a good meal to serve 20 people? ›

    19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
    • Taco Bar.
    • Meatballs.
    • Butter Chicken.
    • Lasagna.
    • Chili.
    • Homemade Pizza.
    • Baked Pasta.
    • Skewers.
    Apr 4, 2023

    What is the cheapest meal to make? ›

    Cheap Family Meals Under $10
    • Spanish Rice Soup. ...
    • Ramen Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables. ...
    • Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole. ...
    • Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli. ...
    • Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta. ...
    • Easy Cheese Manicotti. ...
    • White Bean and Spinach Soup. ...
    • Black Bean Enchilada Casserole.
    4 days ago

    How can I eat $1 dollar a day? ›

    Some affordable and healthy staple foods that can be included in a $1-a-day diet are rice, beans, lentils, oats, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. These foods are not only budget-friendly but also provide essential nutrients like fiber, protein, and vitamins.

    What's the cheapest food you can live on? ›

    Cheapest Foods to Live On:
    • Oatmeal.
    • Eggs.
    • Bread.
    • Rice.
    • Bananas.
    • Beans.
    • Apples.
    • Pasta.

    What is the best cheap food to feed a crowd? ›

    Pasta is one of the cheapest and most filling pantry staples you can buy, and that's exactly why it's the perfect food to feed to a crowd! Plus, everyone loves a good pasta dish.

    How to feed 100 people cheaply? ›

    Serving budget-friendly cuisines like salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes can be a very cost-effective choice. Or, if you're looking for a more casual option, how about a barbeque? Burgers, hot dogs and other grill-oriented foods are sure to be crowd favorites, and they won't rack up a big bill.

    What to make for dinner when nothing sounds good? ›

    What to eat when nothing sounds good: 25 balanced meal ideas
    • Ham or turkey & cheese sandwich with a side of fruit.
    • Rotisserie chicken with frozen microwaveable rice and veggies.
    • “Adult Lunchable”: cheese, crackers, deli meat, raw fruits or veggies with dip.
    • Frozen chicken tenders or nuggets on top of a salad.
    Jan 11, 2023

    What to make with barely any food? ›

    These simple dinner ideas use only a handful of ingredients so you can still whip up a meal using whatever you have in the cupboard.
    • 15-ingredient sausage rolls. ...
    • 2Creamy mushroom gnocchi. ...
    • 3Fast falafel bowl. ...
    • 45-ingredient satay beef skewers. ...
    • 55-ingredient meatball carbonara. ...
    • 6Speedy wild rice and salmon salad.

    How much food do you need for 25 guests? ›

    Rules to Plan By

    Each adult will consume 1 pound of food total; children, about 1/2 pound. The more options you have, the less you need of each; decrease the main course portion sizes by 1 to 2 ounces if served on a buffet. Guests will always eat — and drink — more at night than during the day.

    What food can I get for $20? ›

    WHAT TO BUY WITH A $20 GROCERY BUDGET
    • 1 loaf of bread, $1.
    • 1 (16-slice) pack cheese, $1.
    • 1 (16-oz) pack spaghetti noodles, $1.
    • 1 head Iceberg lettuce, $1.
    • 2 Roma tomatoes, $1.
    • 1 lb ground beef, $3.
    • 1/4 lb thin-sliced deli ham, $2.
    • 1 box mashed potato flakes, $1.

    How to survive on $20 a week for food? ›

    Your Shopping List
    1. 1 bag of dried beans: $1.49.
    2. 2 pounds of chicken breast: $3.76.
    3. 1 jar of peanut butter: $1.98.
    4. 1 jar of jelly: $1.79.
    5. 1 loaf of whole wheat bread: $1.63.
    6. 1 dozen eggs: $1.26.
    7. 1 container of oatmeal: $1.35.
    8. 1 bag of dried lentils: $1.39.

    What's a good tip for a 20 dollar meal? ›

    People generally tip 15-20% of the bill. To calculate tip multiply the total check by 1 plus the decimal percentage tip you'd like to leave. If you wanted to leave a 20% tip, you would add 1 to 0.20 to get 1.20.

    How to stretch 20 dollars at the grocery store? ›

    Here are a few tips to help stretch your food dollar:
    1. Shop with a list and time limit. ...
    2. Make a meal plan. ...
    3. Take inventory. ...
    4. Buy what's on sale. ...
    5. Consider clipping coupons. ...
    6. Keep a running tally while you shop. ...
    7. Consider food preferences. ...
    8. Learn to love leftovers.
    Jan 24, 2023

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