When it comes to copycat recipes, the whole idea for me is to make something at home that tastes like it came from my favorite restaurant or store brand but was so much cheaper in the long run. Another approach to copycat recipes is to play a trick on your family. Try one of these 15 copycat recipes — from dinners to desserts — that nail the flavors so well that I’ll bet no one will guess you made it at home.
Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini
This one-pot Olive Garden copycat combines chicken and tortellini in a rich sauce. Your slow cooker transforms cream, milk and seasonings into a silky pasta dish. The restaurant might do it faster, but your version packs just as much flavor.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini
Cranberry Tuna Salad Whole Foods Copycat
My cranberry salad recreation matches Whole Foods’ version by happy accident. I wanted to copy my grandmother’s recipe but ended up with something better. Fresh cranberries add tang to classic tuna salad. Each bite brings back happy kitchen memories.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Tuna Salad Whole Foods Copycat
Cracker Barrel-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef Stew
This slow cooker beef stew captures Cracker Barrel’s famous pot roast taste. The meat gets so tender it falls apart, and vegetables soak up the rich gravy. Put everything in your slow cooker and let time work its magic.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Applebee’s Inspired Spinach Artichoke Dip in the Slow Cooker
This is Applebee’s famous spinach artichoke dip made simple in your slow cooker. Mix everything together and walk away — you’ll come back to a hot, creamy, cheese-packed dip that’s perfect for chips and bread. Great for parties or game day snacks.
Get the Recipe: Applebee’s Inspired Spinach Artichoke Dip in the Slow Cooker
Panera Inspired Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup in a Bread Bowl
If one of your favorite dishes to order at Panera is broccoli cheddar cheese soup in a bread bowl, you’re in for a treat: this is a simple recipe that lets you recreate that warm, comforting meal at home. And it is easier than you might imagine because it uses an already baked loaf of sourdough bread from the store.
Get the Recipe: Panera Inspired Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup in a Bread Bowl
Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein
When you make pork lo mein in the Instant Pot, you get a homemade dish that tastes like it came from a Chinese restaurant. Plus, it takes only about 30 minutes to cook so you can enjoy something hot and delicious pretty quickly without much mess and fuss.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein
Copycat Supermarket Chicken Rotisserie
Air fryer whole chicken beats store-bought rotisserie chicken in taste and price. The skin turns crispy and golden brown while keeping the meat moist inside. You can add your favorite seasonings. In about an hour, you’ll have a hot, fresh chicken ready for your family.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Supermarket Chicken Rotisserie
Copycat Trader Joe’s Arancini Rice Balls
These rice balls pack a lot of crunch with their crispy outside and gooey cheese center. Arancini make great appetizers or side dishes next to chicken, steak or fish. Try them plain or with marinara sauce on the side. Your guests will grab them fast.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Trader Joe’s Arancini Rice Balls
Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Fettuccine
This homemade version of Olive Garden’s Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo brings big restaurant taste to your table. The creamy garlic sauce coats every strand of pasta. Topped with perfectly cooked chicken, this pasta dish comes together faster than delivery.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Fettucine
Copycat Slow Cooker Panda Express General Tso Chicken
Make General Tso Chicken in your slow cooker — no wok needed. The chicken turns tender in a sweet-spicy sauce that thickens up just right. This Panda Express copycat lets you skip the takeout line but keep all the great taste.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Slow Cooker Panda Express General Tso Chicken
Slow Cooker Wawa Inspired Chicken Corn Chowder
This chicken corn chowder heats you up when temperatures drop. The slow cooker does the work while you get thick, rich soup loaded with tender chicken and sweet corn. It tastes just like Wawa’s version but from your own kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Wawa Inspired Chicken Corn Chowder
Homemade Hostess Pink Snowballs
These pink snowball brownies take you back to your favorite childhood snacks. A basic boxed mix transforms into something special with marshmallow topping and pink coconut coating. The fudgy base makes these treats extra fun to share.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Hostess Pink Snowballs
Copycat Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf Cake
When I treat myself to coffee at Starbucks, I’ll often splurge on a slice of their iced lemon loaf cake. It is truly my favorite. Even though I’m a chocolate girl, I’ll choose a lemon pastry when given the choice. So you can imagine how thrilled I was to discover that making a copycat version at home was easier than I realized. Read on for how you, too, can make the famous Starbucks iced lemon cake at home.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf Cake
Starbucks-Inspired Red Velvet Cake Pops in a Mug
These homemade Starbucks cake pops start with simple microwave mug cakes. Roll them into balls, add sticks and dip in chocolate for bite-sized treats. Mix up the colors and toppings to match any party theme. They look fancy but come together fast.
Get the Recipe: Starbucks-Inspired Red Velvet Cake Pops in a Mug
Cinnamon Roll Pie Cracker Barrel Copycat
This pie takes classic Cracker Barrel cinnamon rolls to new heights. The buttery filling swirls through each slice, topped with sweet white icing. For breakfast or dessert, this pie gives you that fresh-baked taste you keep thinking about.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Pie Cracker Barrel Copycat