25 Restaurant Recipes You Can Make at Home (No Tip Required!) (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food

ByJulie Meyers

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated: Feb. 21, 2024

    Make quality meals at home with these tasty versions of takeout, fast food and restaurant staples. We have copycat ideas for soups, steaks, Italian dishes and more.

    1/24

    Cheesy Broccoli Soup in a Bread Bowl

    This creamy, cheesy broccoli soup tastes just like the one served at Panera Bread! My family requests it all the time. You can even make your own homemade bread bowls with the recipe on my blog, Yammie’s Noshery. —Rachel Preus, Marshall, Michigan

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    2/24

    Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins

    Wondering how to make potato skins taste great? Both crisp and hearty, this restaurant-quality snack is one that my family requests often. —Trish Perrin, Keizer, Oregon

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    3/24

    Sour Cream-Lemon Pie

    I first tasted this pie at a local restaurant and hunted around until I found a similar recipe—now it's my husband's favorite. —Martha Sorensen, Fallon, Nevada

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    4/24

    Amazing Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

    I love Chinese takeout food, but I know that it’s very high in sodium and fat. So I got to work at home and created a healthier version. Now I have peace of mind knowing what ingredients are in this slow cooker orange chicken and that it’s better for my family. —Barbara J. Miller, Oakdale, Minnesota

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    5/24

    Eggplant Rollatini

    Want to learn how to cook eggplant? Here's where to start. These authentic eggplant roll-ups may take some time to prepare, but the end result is restaurant-quality. Your family will request this recipe time and again. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana

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    6/24

    California Sushi Rolls

    These taste as good as any restaurant or store-bought California rolls. Plus, this is one of the easiest sushi recipes to make! For the best results, use sushi rice to ensure the right sticky consistency. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    7/24

    Taste of Home

    Broccoli Shrimp Alfredo

    After tasting fettuccine Alfredo at a restaurant, I came up with this shrimp Alfredo with broccoli version at home. Not only does my family love the creamy dish, but my husband prefers it to the one at the restaurant. —Rae Natoli, Kingston, New York

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    8/24

    Chicken Tostada Cups

    Several years ago I tried a version of these cups at a restaurant in Santa Fe, and I wanted to make my own spin. They're perfect for gatherings where you can let everyone add their own favorite toppings. —Marla Clark, Moriarty, New Mexico

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    9/24

    Taste of Home

    Pumpkin Pie Latte

    I can't wait for fall to arrive so my favorite coffee shops will bring back pumpkin lattes. The rest of the year, I have to make my own version. With the right amount of spice, it tastes just like the popular version found at gourmet coffee shops.—Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

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    10/24

    Crispy Beer-Battered Fish

    A local restaurant made a similar breading for shrimp po' boys, but we think this version's better. I serve the beer battered fish with a ranch dressing and hot sauce mixture as a dip. —Jenny Wenzel, Gulfport, Mississippi

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    11/24

    I let my young son pick out seed packets and he chose kale, which grew like crazy. This hearty soup helped make good use of it and rivals the Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana. —Michelle Babbie, Malone, New York

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    12/24

    Garlic-Butter Steak

    Made in a skillet, this quick-and-easy garlic butter steak is restaurant-quality and sure to become a staple at your house, too! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

    13/24

    Taste of Home

    Greek Beef Pitas

    A local restaurant that's famous for pitas inspired me to make my own Greek-style sandwiches at home. Feel free to add olives if you'd like. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana

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    14/24

    Taste of Home

    Burnt Custard

    The recipe for this smooth-as-silk custard came from a local restaurant years ago. With its broiled topping it looks pretty in individual cups. —Heidi Main, Anchorage, Alaska

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    15/24

    Mexican Homemade Salsa

    In the summertime, I love to make this easy, zippy homemade salsa recipe with fresh tomatoes from my garden. I even have a special pan for roasting the peppers. —Roger Stenman, Batavia, Illinois

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    16/24

    Beef Stew Provencal

    When I was young, my favorite food to order in a restaurant was beef stew. My mother and I decided to create our own and experimented with different ingredients until we came up with this recipe. Everyone liked this slow cooker version so much that now it's a tradition every time the whole family is together. —Chelsey Larsen, Sparks, Nevada

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    17/24

    Taste of Home

    Seasoned Tilapia Fillets

    If you need a healthy, keep-it-simple solution to dinner tonight, you just found it. This restaurant-quality tilapia fillet recipe relies on spices you're likely to have on hand to deliver big flavor. This is how to make tilapia. —Dana Alexander, Lebanon, Missouri

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    18/24

    Authentic German Potato Salad

    This authentic German potato salad recipe came from Speck’s Restaurant, which was a famous eating establishment in St. Louis from the 1920s through the ‘50s. I ate lunch there almost every day and always ordered the potato salad. When the owner learned I was getting married, he gave me the recipe as a wedding gift! —Violette Klevorn, Washington, Missouri

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    19/24

    Taste of Home

    Pat's King of Steaks Philly Cheesesteak

    This cheesesteak, an iconic sandwich in Philly, is a bestseller at Pat's King of Steaks restaurant. Patrons praise its thinly cut beef and crusty Italian rolls. —Frank Olivieri, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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    20/24

    TMB studio

    Pasta fa*gioli Soup

    My husband enjoys my version of this dish so much that he doesn’t order it at restaurants anymore. With fresh spinach, pasta and seasoned sausage, this fast-to-fix soup is a meal on its own. —Brenda Thomas, Springfield, Missouri

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    21/24

    My Best-Ever Jambalaya

    I tried to mimic Jambalaya from my favorite restaurant and it turned out so well my daughter and husband now prefer my recipe and won't order it when we go to the restaurant! —Alexis Van Vulpen, St. Albert, Alberta

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    22/24

    Cheesy Chili Fries

    My family is all about chili fries, but restaurant versions pile on the calories. For a healthier approach, bake the fries and serve them with green onions and avocado. —Beverly Nowling, Bristol, Florida

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    23/24

    Taste of Home

    Golden Chicken Nuggets

    The ultimate bite-size treats, chicken nuggets get the star treatment when you make them at home. I usually serve these herb-breaded baked bites with a sweet-and-sour sauce for dipping. —Karen Owen, Rising Sun, Indiana

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    24/24

    Cajun Sirloin with Mushroom Leek Sauce

    In 30 minutes you‘ll have a restaurant-quality steak with a bold Cajun flair. The best part? You can skip the drive, the wait and the bill! —Joshua Keefer, Delaware, Ohio

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    Originally Published: July 10, 2019

    25 Restaurant Recipes You Can Make at Home (No Tip Required!) (2024)

    FAQs

    How can I eat like a restaurant at home? ›

    Always seek out seasonal produce that is easily accessible where you live. Keep dishes simple and centered around those super fresh ingredients. Make as much homemade as you can, and make extras to stretch into lunches and additional dinners later in the week.

    What food can you make without a kitchen? ›

    Classic no-cook meals start at sandwiches (canned tuna is shelf-stable before opening, and you can find hummus and cheese in one-time-use packets), progress through bean salads (canned beans, olive oil, and lemon, plus an herb or spice) and top out at gazpacho (made with tomato juice, chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and ...

    How to cook restaurant quality food at home? ›

    HOW TO MAKE RESTAURANT-QUALITY FOOD AT HOME
    1. Add chef-level fragrance to home-made food with quality oil and salt.
    2. Buy the best knives you can afford to chop like a chef at home.
    3. Use fresh herbs to add flavour to any dish.
    4. Revive old spices by frying them quickly.
    5. Organize Your Kitchen.
    6. It's okay to experiment.
    Oct 1, 2020

    How to make tasty food at home? ›

    10 Simple Tips to Make Food Taste Better
    1. Don't Prepare Garlic and Onions in Advance. ...
    2. Don't Seed Tomatoes. ...
    3. Keep Fats Tasting Fresh. ...
    4. Strike Only When the Pan Is Hot. ...
    5. Never Discard the Fond. ...
    6. Season with Sugar, Too. ...
    7. Bloom Spices and Dried Herbs in Fat. ...
    8. Brown Breads, Pies, and Pastries.

    How do you cook like a 5 star restaurant? ›

    TIPS TO COOK LIKE A MICHELIN STARRED CHEF
    1. 1 Mise en place. This French culinary phrase refers to carefully preparing all your ingredients before starting to cook. ...
    2. 2 Nothing goes to waste. ...
    3. 3 Know your seasonings. ...
    4. 4 Invest in proper kitchenware. ...
    5. 5 Taste everything.
    Jun 2, 2020

    How do I make a home food menu? ›

    7 Steps for Quick and Easy Menu Planning
    1. Post an ongoing grocery list where it's easy to see.
    2. Ask for meal ideas and share the work.
    3. List your favourite seasonal meals ideas.
    4. Find out what's on hand and what's on special to plan your meals.
    5. Start planning! ...
    6. Eat healthy meals and snacks!
    Jan 23, 2019

    How to cook good food for cheap? ›

    31 Insanely Smart Ways To Save Money When You Cook
    1. Respect the whole roasted chicken. ...
    2. Cook less meat, in general. ...
    3. Cook dried beans instead of buying canned. ...
    4. Learn to love eggs. ...
    5. Use your slow cooker. ...
    6. Buy big cuts or packages of meat and stretch it out over multiple meals.
    Apr 5, 2015

    Is it better to cook at home or to eat at restaurant? ›

    In general, restaurant meals tend to be higher in calories, sodium, and saturated fats. Additionally, cooking at home is the more affordable option compared to dining at a restaurant or ordering takeout. Experts recommend experimenting in the kitchen to increase your comfort with making your meals at home.

    Why does restaurant food taste better than home cooking? ›

    One of these factors is the ingredients and equipment. Lack of ingredients or the special type of kitchen equipment can affect the taste of food. As the restaurant has access to all these, home cooking is at a loss here. Time preparation is another factor.

    What to cook for 12 people? ›

    19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
    • Taco Bar. A taco bar is one of the best inexpensive meals for large groups. ...
    • Meatballs. ...
    • Butter Chicken. ...
    • Lasagna. ...
    • Chili. ...
    • Homemade Pizza. ...
    • Baked Pasta. ...
    • Skewers.
    Apr 4, 2023

    What are the differences between eating at home and eating in a restaurant? ›

    In general, restaurant meals tend to be higher in calories, sodium, and saturated fats. Additionally, cooking at home is the more affordable option compared to dining at a restaurant or ordering takeout. Experts recommend experimenting in the kitchen to increase your comfort with making your meals at home.

    Is eating at home better than eating in restaurants? ›

    It's proven to be healthier

    Some studies suggest that people who cook more often, rather than get take-out, have an overall healthier diet. These studies also show that restaurant meals typically contain higher amounts of sodium, saturated fat, total fat, and overall calories than home-cooked meals.

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