HONOLULU (KHON2) — Recreating popular restaurant meals at home, also known as copycat recipes, is a fun and exciting way to enjoy your favorite dishes without leaving the house.
With the cost of dining out rising due to inflation and other economic issues, cooking at home has become a great option for families and friends who want to save money while still enjoying delicious meals.
By using copycat recipes, you can make the same foods you love from places like fast food joints, pizza spots or even fancy restaurants.
It’s less expensive than going out, and you can make it just the way you like it, whether that means extra cheese, fewer spices, or more veggies! Plus, making these meals together can be a wonderful bonding experience.
Whether you’re cooking with friends, siblings, family or parents, it’s a chance to share laughs, learn new skills, and create something delicious.
With this in mind, KHON2.com did a bit of digging and found our favorite options for copycat recipes you can make at home.
Our top 10 meal picks
1. Outback Steakhouse experience
- Appetizer: Bloomin Onion with sauce. Click here and here for recipes.
- Main: Alice Springs Chicken. Click here for recipe.
- Side: Baked potato. Click here for the recipe.
- Dessert: Wallaby Darned. Click here for recipe.
2. Olive Garden Italian feast
- Appetizer: Lasagna dip and pasta chips. Click here for the recipe.
- Main: Chicken alfredo. Click here for the recipe.
- Side: Garlic breadsticks. Click here for the recipe.
- Dessert: Black Tie Mousse Cake. Click here for the recipe.
3. Red Lobster seafood dinner
- Appetizer: Bacon wrapped scallops. Click here for the recipe.
- Main: Crab alfredo. Click here for the recipe.
- Side: Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Click here for the recipe.
- Dessert: Key lime pie. Click here for the recipe.
4. Chili’s Bar and Grill family meal
- Appetizer: Southwestern Eggrolls. Click here for the recipe.
- Main: Baby back ribs. Click here for the recipe.
- Side: Roasted street corn. Click here for the recipe.
- Dessert: Mighty Ice Cream Pie. Click here for the recipe.
5. McDonald’s classic combo
- Main: Big Mac. Click here for the recipe.
- Side: French fries. Click here for the recipe.
- Dessert: Baked Apple Pie. Click here for the recipe.
6. Taco Bell fiesta
- Main: Crunchwrap Supreme. Click here for the recipe.
- Side: Mexican Pizza. Click here for the recipe.
- Dessert: Cinnamon Twists. Click here for the recipe.
7. Panera Bread comfort
- Soup: Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Click here for the recipe.
- Main: Steak & White Cheddar Panini. Click here for the recipe.
- Side: Mac & Cheese. Click here for the recipe.
- Dessert: Kitchen Sink Cookies. Click here for the recipe.
8. Chick-fil-A meal
- Main: Chicken sandwich. Click here for the recipe.
- Side: Waffle fries. Click here for the recipe.
- Dessert: Frosted Lemonade. Click here for the recipe.
9. Cracker Barrel comfort food
- Appetizer: Chicken and dumplings. Click here for the recipe.
- Main: Country fried steak. Click here for the recipe.
- Side: Hashbrown casserole. Click here for the recipe.
- Dessert: Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake. Click here for the recipe.
10. Applebee’s all American
- Appetizer: Riblets. Click here for the recipe.
- Main: Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp. Click here for the recipe.
- Side: Chicken Wonton Tacos. Click here for the recipe.
- Dessert: Triple Chocolate Meltdown. Click here for the recipe.
Not only does recreating restaurant meals save money, but it also gives you a sense of pride when you realize that you can make these dishes yourself. It can even help you feel more in control of your spending, especially when things feel uncertain in the economy.
So, next time you crave a favorite restaurant dish, try finding a copycat recipe online and cook it up at home! It’s fun, affordable, and a great way to enjoy tasty meals while spending quality time with the people you care about.