Dine like a king, pay like a pauper: 20 copycat recipes for the win

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Welcome, food lovers and budget savants, to the ultimate guide for dining in style without breaking the bank! You know those moments—you’re scrolling through a menu online, craving that signature dish or drink from your favorite restaurant, but your wallet screams, ‘Think again!’ Worry not, because we’ve got you covered. Our list of copycat recipes will have you purring with delight as you discover how to recreate restaurant-quality meals right in your own kitchen. So why go out when you can stand out? Fork over the flavor, not the cash, and let’s get cooking.

gravlax tartine topped with pickled onion and preserved lemon.
Gravlax Tartine. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Olive Garden Chicken Marsala

Chicken and Mushrooms over rice.
Olive Garden Chicken Marsala. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

You don’t need a reservation to enjoy Olive Garden’s Chicken Marsala. Create the creamy, mushroom-filled classic right in your kitchen. Plus, making it at home means you can tweak it to your liking while saving some cash.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Marsala

Chick-fil-a Frosted Lemonade

Closeup of a mug of frosted lemonade with a slice of lemon and two red straws.
Chick-fil-a Frosted Lemonade. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Why head to the drive-thru when you can whip up your own Frosted Lemonade? With just a few simple ingredients like lemon juice and vanilla ice cream, you’ll have a refreshing treat that tastes just like Chick-fil-a’s famous drink—minus the expense.
Get the Recipe: Chick-fil-a Frosted Lemonade

Olive Garden Chicken Piccata

Chicken piccata in a cast iron frying pan with lemon and capers.
Olive Garden Chicken Piccata. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Craving Olive Garden but want to keep your wallet happy? Try this homemade Chicken Piccata recipe that delivers all the tangy lemon and caper flavors for a fraction of the cost. Serve it with some pasta or bread, and you’ve got a high-end meal without the high-end bill.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Piccata

Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp

Baked bang bang shrimp on a serving plate garnished with green onions and served with dipping sauce.
Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Get the deliciousness of Bang Bang Shrimp without the restaurant markup. This recipe combines shrimp, mayo, and a hint of spice to recreate that irresistible sauce. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for appeasing those takeout cravings without the extra cost.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp

Moon Cheese

Cheese pops on a plate.
Moon Cheese. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Love the crunchy, cheesy goodness of Moon Cheese but not the price? Make your own version at home with some quality cheese and a dehydrator or oven. You’ll get the same bite-sized snack at a fraction of the store-bought cost.
Get the Recipe: Moon Cheese

Mongolian Beef

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

Craving restaurant-quality Asian cuisine? This P.F. Chang’s Mongolian Beef copycat recipe brings the rich and savory flavors you love to your dining room. With tender beef and a sauce that’s to die for, it’s just like ordering from the menu!
Get the Recipe: P.F. Chang’s Mongolian Beef

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

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

Craving that homestyle Cracker Barrel meatloaf? Make it at home and save some serious coin. Using ground beef and pantry staples, this copycat recipe hits the spot without hitting your wallet hard.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Copycat Panera Creamy Tomato Soup

Creamy tomato basil soup garnished with grated parmesan and fresh basil in a white bowl with a gold spoon.
Copycat Creamy Tomato Soup. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Forget canned soups; you can recreate that perfect bowl of creamy Panera tomato soup at home. This simple recipe is not only easy to follow but also light on your budget. Pair it with a homemade grilled cheese sandwich, and you’ve got comfort food for less.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Creamy Tomato Soup

Smoked Salmon Toast

Closeup of a gravlax tartine on a white plate.
Smoked Salmon Toast. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Why pay Tartine’s prices when you can make your own gourmet Smoked Salmon Toast at home? Some good bread, quality smoked salmon, and a dash of cream cheese are all you need to pull off this breakfast favorite for less.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Salmon Toast

Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

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

Get your Olive Garden fix without leaving the house. This copycat Chicken Pasta recipe delivers all the creamy, garlic-y goodness you love, without the restaurant price tag. Plus, it’s a one-pot meal, making cleanup a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Copycat Chipolte Chicken Avocado Melt

A sandwich with avocado, chicken and cheese on a plate.
Copycat Chipolte Chicken Avocado Melt. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Skip the Panera line and make your own Chicken Avocado Melt. This recipe replicates the spiciness and creamy avocado flavors of the original, and it’s both budget-friendly and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipolte Chicken Avocado Melt

Sonic Ocean Water

Sonic ocean water in a mason jar with a pink straw and more in the background.
Sonic Ocean Water. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Craving that signature Sonic Ocean Water? Whip it up at home with some soda, coconut extract, and a splash of blue food coloring. You’ll have a dupe that tastes like the real deal without the drive-thru prices.
Get the Recipe: Sonic Ocean Water

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

A bowl of chicken and spinach soup with a spoon.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

No need to go out for a bowl of hearty Chicken Gnocchi Soup. With this homemade recipe, you can enjoy the rich and creamy flavors right at home, saving yourself a trip and some money.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Oatmeal Crumbl Cookies

A stack of iced oatmeal cookies.
Oatmeal Crumbl Cookies. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Those Oatmeal Crumbl Cookies you love don’t have to break the bank. Bake them at home with basic ingredients like oats and flour. You’ll get the same satisfying sweetness and crumbly texture without the boutique bakery price.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Crumbl Cookies

Sonic Copycat Cherry Limeade

Cherry limeade in tall glass with lime wedge garnish.
Sonic Copycat Cherry Limeade. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Why settle for store-bought when you can make a better Cherry Limeade at home? This copycat recipe captures the tartness and sweetness of the Sonic classic, all for a fraction of the cost.
Get the Recipe: Sonic Copycat Cherry Limeade

Copycat Chipotle Carne Asada

Sliced carne asada sits on a light blue plate surrounded by sliced oranges, limes, a bunch of cilantro, tortillas, and a glass of beer.
Copycat Chipotle Carne Asada. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Your favorite Chipotle Carne Asada can be just as good when made at home. Plus, it’s more budget-friendly and allows you to add as many toppings as you like without any extra charge!
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Carne Asada

Copycat Disney Dole Whip with Rum

dole whip in a glass bowl next to a pineapple.
Copycat Disney Dole Whip with Rum. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Who says you need a theme park ticket to enjoy a Disney Dole Whip? This boozy copycat version brings the magic right into your kitchen, saving you money for your next adventure.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Disney Dole Whip with Rum

Copycat Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup

Glass jar filled with homemade chocolate syrup and a gold spoon with a glass of chocolate milk in the background.
Copycat Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Skip the store-bought bottle and make your own chocolate syrup at home. It’s just as rich and chocolatey, and since you’re making it yourself, you know exactly what’s going into it—all while saving a few bucks.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup

Copycat McDonald’s Mango Pineapple Smoothie

Two pineapple mango smoothies side by side.
Copycat McDonald’s Mango Pineapple Smoothie. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Quench your thirst for less with this copycat Mango Pineapple Smoothie. A blend of mango, pineapple, and yogurt makes this recipe a delicious dupe for the McDonald’s version—only cheaper.
Get the Recipe: Copycat McDonald’s Mango Pineapple Smoothie

Bahama Breeze Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema

Grilled chicken with cilantro crema on a white plate surrounded by limes, cilantro, and a glass of beer.
Bahama Breeze Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Get tropical flavors without the tropical restaurant prices. This Bahama Breeze-inspired chicken dish is marinated in garlic and lime, then grilled to perfection. The cilantro crema adds an extra zing, and best of all, making it at home saves you money.
Get the Recipe: Bahama Breeze Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema

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