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

Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food

25 Restaurant Recipes You Can Make at Home (No Tip Required!) (1)Julie MeyersUpdated: 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

    Get Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    5/24

    TMB Studio

    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

    Go to Recipe

    6/24

    Taste of Home

    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

    Go to Recipe

    7/24

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    18/24

    Taste of Home

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    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

    Go to Recipe

    Originally Published: July 10, 2019

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

    FAQs

    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

    What to make for dinner without much? ›

    15 Delicious Things to Throw Together When You're Pressed for Food Options
    1. Buttery, gooey grilled cheese.
    2. PB&J because duh.
    3. Tuna melt tostadas.
    4. Pancakes! Pancakes!
    5. Scrambled eggs.
    6. Waffles.
    7. A Hagrid-size bowl of cereal.
    8. Spaghetti carbonara.
    Apr 28, 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 make home cooking taste like a restaurant? ›

    Here are some low-cost tips to elevate your home-cooked meals: Fresh Herbs and Citrus Zest:Add fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or basil to bring brightness and flavor. Grate citrus zest (lemon, lime, or orange) over dishes for a burst of freshness.

    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

    What is the cheapest meal you can make at home? ›

    The Cheapest Meals to Make on an Incredibly Tight Budget
    • Scrambled Eggs or Omelets.
    • Basic Pasta.
    • Mac and Cheese.
    • Pancakes.
    • Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
    • Even More Cheap and Quick Meal Ideas.
    • Cookbooks for Cheap Meals.
    • Where to Find More Frugal Meal Ideas.
    Mar 2, 2023

    What is a silent dinner? ›

    A silent dinner, as the name suggests, is a dinner at which the guests and host do not speak, write, or use technology devices (e.g. phones). The dinners typically last for at least two hours, and guests are expected to stay and participate for the entire time.

    What to make for dinner when you're tired of everything? ›

    21 Easy Dinner Ideas
    • 1 / 21. The Easiest Five Ingredient Capellini. ...
    • 2 / 21. Sheet Pan Halloumi with Burst Tomatoes, Summer Squash, Preserved Lemon, and Mint. ...
    • 3 / 21. Instant Pot BBQ Chicken. ...
    • 4 / 21. Egg Roll Skillet. ...
    • 5 / 21. Crispy Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Veggies. ...
    • 6 / 21. One-Pot Cacio e Pepe. ...
    • 7 / 21. Garlic Butter Shrimp. ...
    • 8 / 21.

    What to eat when theres no food? ›

    11 Pantry Staples Recipes: What to Make When There's “No Food” in the House
    • Penne Puttanesca.
    • Crispy Hash Browns with Sunny Side Up Eggs.
    • Warm Sweet Potato, Corn, and Black Bean Salad.
    • Creamy Chickpea Tomato Curry (Chana Masala)
    • Tangy Tuna and White Bean Wraps.
    • Mighty Meatless Four Bean Chili.
    Dec 23, 2023

    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

    Why does restaurant food taste better than home cooked? ›

    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 makes a dish restaurant quality? ›

    The texture in the mouth reveals and accentuates how a dish tastes. A variety of textures will allow the dish to be appreciated in different ways (soft, hard, moist, crunchy, crisp), but also its consistency (fatty, dry, moist) as well as the temperature (hot, cold, warm, iced or boiling).

    How do you make high quality food? ›

    First and foremost, consider quality in everything you buy. The fresher and less traveled your produce, meat and fish are, the better flavor you'll get, and the more nutritional value they'll retain. This goes for everything, not just produce. Think about your vinegars, oils, herbs and spices as well.

    How do restaurants make food so good? ›

    Chefs season at every step of the cooking process

    For restaurant chefs, this means seasoning at every step and tasting as they go to ensure each component tastes great. Salt can help coax the natural flavor out of ingredients like vegetables and meat, while herbs and spices infuse them with additional flavors.

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Gregorio Kreiger

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6216

    Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

    Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Gregorio Kreiger

    Birthday: 1994-12-18

    Address: 89212 Tracey Ramp, Sunside, MT 08453-0951

    Phone: +9014805370218

    Job: Customer Designer

    Hobby: Mountain biking, Orienteering, Hiking, Sewing, Backpacking, Mushroom hunting, Backpacking

    Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.