17 Copycat Dinner Recipes Better Than The Originals

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These 17 copycat dinner recipes that are even better than the originals! These recipes will allow you to recreate the flavors and textures of your beloved restaurant meals in your own kitchen, without the hefty price tag or the need to make a reservation.

Two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and carrots.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli

A plate of pumpkin cake mix cookies studded with chocolate chips is artfully arranged in a circle on a white surface.
Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli. Photo credit: .

This home version of the restaurant soup combines pasta beans and beef in a rich tomato broth. The slow cooker makes this copycat recipe simple while matching the original’s flavors perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli

P.F. Chang Mongolian Beef

Closeup of crispy beef in a bowl with green onions and sesame seeds.
P.F. Chang Mongolian Beef. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This 20-minute air fryer recipe recreates P.F. Chang’s popular dish at home. The beef gets crispy and the sauce matches the restaurant’s recipe exactly.
Get the Recipe: P.F. Chang Mongolian Beef

Chick-fil-a Chicken Sandwich

Copycat Chick-fil-A sandwich with tomato, lettuce and cheese.
Chick-fil-a Chicken Sandwich. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Make the famous sandwich at home with this air fryer method. The breading gets just as crispy and the chicken stays juicy like the original.
Get the Recipe: Chick-fil-a Chicken Sandwich

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup with broccoli and carrots.
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This homemade version of Panera’s popular soup has the same rich cheese and fresh broccoli flavors. The recipe matches the restaurant’s down to the last ingredient.
Get the Recipe: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Chipotle Barbacoa

Barbacoa tacos on a tray topped with peppers and onions.
Chipotle Barbacoa. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This slow cooker version of Chipotle’s beef tastes just like the restaurant’s. The meat gets tender and picks up all those signature seasonings you love from the original.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Barbacoa

Chick-fil-A Tortilla Soup

Mexican chicken tortilla soup in a white bowl.
Chick-fil-A Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Skip the drive-thru with this exact copy of the restaurant’s soup. The chicken vegetables and spices create that same southwestern flavor you get at Chick-fil-A.
Get the Recipe: Chick-fil-A Tortilla Soup

Panda Express Beef and Broccoli

Stir-fried beef and broccoli garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions in a pan.
Panda Express Beef and Broccoli. Photo credit: .

Make this takeout favorite at home in 20 minutes. The sauce and tender beef match Panda Express’s recipe perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Beef and Broccoli

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup in a white bowl topped with basil.
Olive Garden Minestrone Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Instant Pot version gives you Olive Garden’s veggie-packed soup at home. The broth and seasoning blend taste just like the restaurant’s recipe.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and carrots.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Get that down-home Cracker Barrel taste with this spot-on recreation. The seasonings and texture match the restaurant’s version exactly.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar

A shredded beef sandwich with melted cheese on a bun, served with curly fries on a tray.
Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar. Photo credit: .

Make these classic sandwiches at home in your slow cooker. The meat gets tender and the cheese sauce tastes just like what you’d get at Arby’s.
Get the Recipe: Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar

Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

Chinese chicken stir fry in a white bowl with chopsticks.
Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: .

This air fryer recipe matches the restaurant’s spicy chicken dish. The sauce has that same balance of heat and flavor you get at Panda Express.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork

Tray of shredded pork tacos in flour tortillas, garnished with cilantro and served with lime wedges.
Cafe Rio Sweet Pork. Photo credit: .

Your slow cooker helps recreate this Cafe Rio favorite at home. The meat gets that same sweet and savory flavor that made the original famous.
Get the Recipe: Cafe Rio Sweet Pork

Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Bowl of copycat Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup in a bowl with breadsticks in the background.
Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This slow cooker version captures all the flavors of Olive Garden’s creamy soup. The broth vegetables and potato dumplings taste just like the restaurant’s recipe.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Panda Express Orange Chicken

Plate of orange chicken in a metal bowl from the top.
Panda Express Orange Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Make this Panda Express classic in your Instant Pot. The sauce has that same sweet-tangy taste that made the original so popular.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Orange Chicken

Chipotle Carnitas

Close-up of shredded pork garnished with chopped herbs and lime wedges.
Chipotle Carnitas. Photo credit: .

Get Chipotle’s tender pork at home with your slow cooker. The meat gets that same slightly crispy edge and seasoning as the restaurant version.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Carnitas

Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp

A person dipping fried shrimp into a bowl of dip.
Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Recreate this popular appetizer in your air fryer. The crispy shrimp and spicy sauce match Bonefish Grill’s famous recipe perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp

Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork.
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This slow cooker dish gives you that Olive Garden taste at home. The creamy sauce and tender chicken match the restaurant’s recipe exactly.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

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