Sorry, not sorry: 17 copycat recipes that will ruin your favorite restaurants (for your wallet)

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If you love dining out but your budget is tight, this list might be just what you need. It contains 17 recipes that mimic popular dishes from well-known restaurants. This means you can enjoy your favorites at home, saving money and impressing friends and family with your cooking skills. Each recipe is designed to be easy to follow, so anyone can make these dishes.

Close-up of a hand holding a fork with a bite of copycat Alice spring chicken.
Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce in a black skillet.
Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Why splurge at a restaurant when you can bring a classic Italian favorite right to your kitchen? With Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce, every pasta night can turn into an indulgent feast without leaving the comfort of your home. It’s creamy, it’s rich, and it beats waiting for a table any night.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

Zuppa Toscana Soup

Low Carb Zuppa Toscana Soup in a white round bowl with small handles.
Zuppa Toscana Soup. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Craving something warm and comforting? Then Zuppa Toscana Soup has got your back. This soup brings the flavors of the Tuscan countryside into your bowl, making cold nights much more bearable. Plus, it’s a hit with everyone who tries it, making it a go-to for impressing guests or treating yourself.
Get the Recipe: Zuppa Toscana Soup

Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots

A bowl of Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots in a bowl.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

When you think of comfort food sides, Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots should definitely come to mind. This recipe brings that sweet and buttery side dish to your table with minimal effort. Seriously, who knew carrots could be something you crave?
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots

Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins

Two bowls of Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Have Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins for when you’re missing that home-cooked meal vibe but don’t feel like leaving the house. It’s the perfect combo of tender chicken and soft dumplings that feels like a hug in a bowl. Seriously, it’s so good that you might start preferring your kitchen to the Cracker Barrel parking lot.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins

Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

A plate of Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp served on a white rectangular dish.
Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

If you’re looking to bring a bit of fancy to your weeknight dinners, Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp is your ticket. This dish offers a scrumptious blend of sweet and savory that rivals your local Panda Express. Plus, it’s a surefire way to impress dinner guests or just treat yourself.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup

A closeup of Jason's Deli Irish Potato Soup.`
Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

For those days when you’re yearning for something warm and filling, Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup does not disappoint. It’s creamy, it’s comforting, and it’s got that homemade taste you can’t help but love. Trust me, one bowl, and you’ll forget about heading to Jason’s Deli.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup

Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich

Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich on a white plate with chips.
Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Who knew that simplicity could taste so good? Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich proves that sometimes, the best flavors come from humble beginnings. With this recipe, your kitchen turns into a diner, and every meal is a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich

Copycat Domino’s Philly Cheesesteak Loaded Tots

Philly Cheesesteak Loaded Tots on parchment paper, topped with Alfredo cheese, green onions, and a drizzle of white sauce, placed on a dark rectangular slate plate.
Copycat Domino’s Philly Cheesesteak Loaded Tots. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Get ready to have your snack game changed with Copycat Domino’s Philly Cheesesteak Loaded Tots. This recipe combines the best of two worlds: crispy tots and the rich flavor of a Philly cheesesteak. It’s the ultimate snack for game day or a casual hangout.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Domino’s Philly Cheesesteak Loaded Tots

Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo

A bowl of olive garden creamy shrimp alfredo pasta served in a black bowl with a spoon.
Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

There’s no need to choose between seafood and pasta tonight. Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo offers the best of both worlds, bringing a restaurant-quality dish to your dining table. It’s creamy, indulgent, and packed with the flavors of the sea.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo

Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup

Two bowls of Copycat Carrabba's Mama Mandola's Sicilian Chicken Soup, accompanied by two spoons, a black pepper grinder, and a napkin.
Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Nothing says “cozy dinner” quite like a hearty soup, and Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup is here to fill that slot. It’s like bringing a piece of Sicily into your home, with each spoonful warming you up from the inside out. This soup might just become your new comfort food favorite.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup

Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes

Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Croquettes on a white plate with tomatoes and broccoli.
Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Don’t let the name fool you; Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes are about to become your new favorite comfort food. They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and just plain delicious all around. Plus, they’re a fun way to shake up your dinner routine.
Get the Recipe: Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes

Diner Style Salisbury Steak

A plate of Salisbury steak with gravy on mashed potatoes, and a side of peas on a white square dish. The meal is set on a white wooden table beside silver cutlery and a floral napkin.
Diner Style Salisbury Steak. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Sometimes, you just need a good ol’ classic, and Diner Style Salisbury Steak is just that. It’s the kind of meal that reminds you of good diner food without the need to leave your house. This recipe is all about bringing that comforting classic to your kitchen table.
Get the Recipe: Diner Style Salisbury Steak

Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots

A tray of cheddar bacon loaded tater tots, drizzled with Alfredo sauce, with a hand-picking one up.
Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Who said snacks can’t be exciting? With Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots, you’ve got a side dish that could very well steal the show. It’s cheesy, it’s bacon-y, and it’s downright irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots

Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka

A white bowl of rigatoni pasta with creamy sauce, garnished with cheese and green herbs, is placed on a wooden surface. A hand is holding a fork with a piece of pasta.
Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

For a night when you’re feeling a bit more gourmet, Copycat Il Forna at Rigatoni Alla Vodka is the way to go. It brings that sophisticated Italian restaurant feel right to your dining room. The rich and creamy sauce is sure to make this dish a household favorite.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips

Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips on a white plate.
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

For a hearty meal that satisfies those meaty cravings, Copycat Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips is your go-to. This dish brings the steakhouse vibe to your dining room, with all the rich flavors and none of the wait. It’s a surefire way to please any carnivore.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips

Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken

Close-up of a hand holding a fork with a bite of copycat Alice spring chicken.
Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

If you’re looking for a meal that’s both comforting and a little bit exotic, Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken is the answer. It’s a flavorful adventure that doesn’t require a passport, just a fork. This dish might just have you skipping the restaurant version for good.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken

Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich

A roast beef sandwich with melted cheese on a hoagie roll, accompanied by crinkle-cut fries and a bowl of brown dipping sauce on the side.
Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Forget about the hassle of finding parking at a busy deli; Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich is here to save the day. This recipe brings the iconic sandwich straight to your kitchen, complete with all the juicy, meaty goodness you love. It’s a simple pleasure that’s simply unbeatable.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich

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