17 meals that make takeout cry in envy

There’s something special about cooking at home that takeout just can’t match. When you put together your own meals, you get to choose every ingredient and add a little love to every step. From the sizzle in the pan to the final garnish, it’s all about making something great. It’s no wonder there are 17 meals out there that can make takeout cry in envy!

Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Come on, Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu doesn’t just beat takeout, it makes it look like an amateur hour. That’s the epiphany, right around your second bite of crispy, cheesy goodness. Once you’re munching happily away, it’s undeniable that takeout just took the backseat. And when that last morsel is gone, it’s all too clear that takeout’s glory days are behind it.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Turkey Chaffwich

Let’s talk about a lunch game-changer: our Turkey Chaffwich has entered the chat. It’s halfway through your first bite when you get that takeout. You could never replicate this magic. There’s something brilliantly simple but mouthwatering about it that even the best takeaway sandwich can’t touch. By the last bite, you’re mentally crossing out takeout options for good, because why bother?
Get the Recipe: Turkey Chaffwich

Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken

As the aroma of Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken fills the kitchen, you sense takeout’s jealousy wafting through the air. That first bite’s zesty, herby punch confirms: takeout’s on the ropes. The golden, juicy chicken whispers softly to takeout, “Do you even marinate, bro?” By meal’s end, it’s clear the only thing takeout can do now is lick its wounds.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken

Beefy John Wayne Casserole

Beefy John Wayne Casserole has a way of rustling up feelings of takeout inadequacy. Each forkful of this hearty, cheesy delight have you pop-quizzing what you ever saw in takeout. Hitting that middle layer of gooeyness, takeout’s defeat begins to crystallize. As you scrape the final bits from your plate, you know takeout’s got some serious catching up to do.
Get the Recipe: Beefy John Wayne Casserole

Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Ever have those nights when a mundane takeout shrimp just won’t do? That’s when you whip out our Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp – takeout could never. It’s at that halfway point, with the charred, lemony goodness, that you know it’s over for takeout. And by the time you’re done, the only thing crying more than takeout is the empty plate that wishes it had more.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

The thing about Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe is that it’s not just a meal – it’s an experience that puts takeout to shame. The gnocchi’s soft, pillowy texture against the savory sausage – it’s a matchup that has takeout on the ropes. You’re just savoring these flavors, realizing takeout could never hold up to this culinary one-two punch. Wrapping up the dish, there’s no doubt you’ve got a knockout, letting takeout know its place.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

Chicken Piccata

Chicken Piccata doesn’t just take the plate; it takes takeout to school. It’s that tangy, caper-laden flavor hitting your taste buds that makes you judge all takeout harshly. You catch yourself halfway through, realizing takeout could never achieve such heights of zesty goodness. As you savor the last bite, it dawns on you that takeout isn’t even playing the same game.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata

Roast Pork with Apples

You’ll find Roast Pork with Apples is more of an ‘a-ha’ moment than a meal. Each slice, tender and infused with sweet apple goodness, lets takeout know it’s been one-upped. As the flavors meld in your mouth, it’s a clear jab at takeout’s bland routine. When it’s all said and done, takeout may as well toss in the towel.
Get the Recipe: Roast Pork with Apples

White Chicken Chili

Sometimes you just need a bit of kick to your comfort food, and White Chicken Chili delivers. Mid-meal, you’ll pause, suddenly realizing that your local takeout spot can’t compete with this level of cozy spice. The second spoonful confirms it: takeout’s got nothing on this. By the end, as the warmth settles in, it’s clear – takeout’s been outplayed.
Get the Recipe: White Chicken Chili

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

When you want that perfect balance of crisp skin and tender meat, Air Fryer Turkey Breast has your back. It doesn’t take long to realize that this is the kind of meal that makes takeout cry in envy, purely with its juicy perfection. The crunch echoes through the room, and it’s crystal clear: takeout can’t hold a candle to this. Once you’re done, waving goodbye to takeout suddenly seems like a very good idea.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef

It’s the rich, spiced flavor of Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef that sends a clear message: takeouts just not on the same level. You realize pretty soon that takeout’s been resting on laurels it doesn’t have. Look at takeout, with its sad packet of taco seasoning, thinking it stood a chance. And as you finish up, you know that those takeout menus are better used as drawer liners.
Get the Recipe: Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef

Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich

That first burst of flavor from a Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich and you just know it’s a culinary dropkick to takeout’s gut. With fresh ingredients singing in harmony, you can almost hear takeout’s whimper of defeat. By the halfway mark, the symphony of cheese, tomato, and basil confirms your takeout hiatus. Takeout’s charm fades with each bite, leaving you and your sandwich in a delicious huddle of victory.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich

Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

With the first forkful of Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp, you feel takeout’s envy. The flavors are bold – it’s like a flavor festival in your mouth and takeout didn’t get the invite. As you work your way through, it’s clear that takeout’s got nothing on this mix of shrimp and herbs. Finishing off, takeout probably knows it’s been upstaged by something superior.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

There’s something about Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter that just oozes victory over takeout. A season and sizzle that’s so right, takeout can’t help but cry in envy. When that buttery goodness melts into perfectly cooked steak, you can hear takeout whimpering in the background. And by the end, it’s not just the plate that’s clean, it’s takeout’s clock that’s been cleaned too.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

Turkey à la King

Turkey à la King has that comforting vibe takeout’s been trying – and failing – to sell you on for years. It’s down-home cooking that gently nudges takeout out of the picture with grace. You’re about halfway through, feeling that contentment spread, and it’s obvious takeout can’t replicate this feeling. Finishing up, you sense takeout may be rethinking its life choices somewhere.
Get the Recipe: Turkey à la King

Pizza Pasta Salad

Pizza Pasta Salad laughs in the face of every pizza box that has ever darkened your doorstep. When those flavors hit, takeout pizza rolls over and plays dead. Halfway into this dish, you get why takeout’s in a corner, quietly sobbing. And as you lick the fork clean, there’s no doubt about it: takeout is sitting this one out, indefinitely.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad

French Onion Soup

There’s something about melting cheese over a deep, savory broth that makes French Onion Soup a star dish. As the cheese stretches from spoon to mouth, it’s obvious takeout could never make you feel this pampered. Halfway through, every slow-cooked onion suggests takeout menus might soon collect dust. Finishing the last mouthful, you know takeout’s just lost another customer to your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup