Takeout Recipes at Home

Chinese Takeout

These Effortless Egg Rolls are so easy, you'll wonder why you haven't been making them all along! Look for a good dipping sauce in the Asian aisle at your supermarket.
—Angel Randol, Apple Valley, California

Shrimp and Pineapple Fried Rice

Pineapple chunks give fried rice a tropical twist, while shrimp and cashews turn this simple Shrimp and Pineapple Fried Rice into a restaurant-quality meal everyone will love.
—Lynne Van Wagenen, Salt Lake City, Utah

Sweet and Sour Chicken

I first tasted this yummy Sweet and Sour Chicken dish at our friends' home. I immediately asked for the recipe, and we've enjoyed it ever since. But we call it "favorite chicken" at our house!
—Lori Burtenshaw, Terreton, Idaho

Cashew Beef Stir-Fry

Expect requests for seconds of this quick Cashew Beef Stir-Fry recipe made with easy-to-find ingredients. It's delicious!
—Rhonda Ragen, Naples, Florida

Fortune Cookies

Our home is often filled with family and friends, so I'm always cooking up something. I created this Fortune Cookies recipe when I was looking for a treat to surprise my husband.
—Susan Bettinger, Battle Creek, Michigan

More Asian Recipes >

Mexican Takeout

Mexican Salsa

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

Pork Taquitos

A popular appetizer, these homemade Pork Taquitos are so much better than the frozen ones in the supermarket. If you want a little more punch to the filling, adjust the seasonings to suit your taste.
—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Baked Chicken Chimichangas

I developed this quick and easy [Baked Chicken Chimichangas recipe through trial and error. I used to garnish with sour cream, too, but eliminated it in order to lighten the recipe. My friends all love it when I cook these, and they're much healthier than fried chimichangas.
—Rickey Madden, Clinton, South Carolina

Fantastic Beef Fajitas

This Fantastic Beef Fajitas recipe is a favorite evening meal for me because it fixes up quick. It would be a good one for entertaining, too—the avocados add a nice dash of color.
—Marla Brenneman, Goshen, Indiana

Sopaipillas

Light, crispy pastry puffs, Sopaipillas are a sweet way to round out a spicy meal. They make a nice winter dessert served warm and topped with honey or sugar.
—Mary Anne McWhirter, Pearland, Texas

More Mexican Recipes >

Italian Takeout

Pesto Bruschetta

My daughter came up with this Pesto Bruschetta recipe and I'm asked for a copy of it every time I make it. It's easy to switch up the flavor by using different types of pesto.
—Shirley Dickstein, Parma, Idaho

Garlic Lover's Meatballs and Sauce

This dish is a staple in our part of the country. My daughter Amber and I invented our version after eating at an Italian restaurant in St. Louis. We came pretty close to copying that dish, but added our own little twist to Garlic Lover's Meatballs and Sauce.
—Toni Holcomb, Rogersville, Missouri

Pork Marsala

Some good friends fixed Pork Marsala for us once and it has been a favorite ever since! It's the perfect pair with a loaf of crusty garlic bread.
—Connie Miller, Olathe, Kansas

Traditional Lasagna

My family first tasted this rich, Traditional Lasagna at a friend's home. It's requested often by my sister's Italian in-laws—I consider that the highest compliment!
—Lorri Foockle, Granville, Illinois

Tiramisu

This variation of the popular Italian dessert is so easy to assemble. This Tiramisu recipe is convenient, too, since you can make it the day before your dinner party or potluck.
—Linda Finn, Louisville, Mississippi

More Italian Recipes >

Pizza Recipes >

American Takeout

All-American Bacon Cheeseburgers

Where can you get a juicy bacon cheeseburger for under a buck-fifty? You've come to the right place with this All-American Bacon Cheeseburgers recipe!
—Jackie Burns, Silverdale, Washington

Tender Chicken Nuggets

Four ingredients are all it takes to create these moist golden bites that are healthier than fast food. I serve Tender Chicken Nuggets with ranch dressing and barbecue sauce for dipping.
—Lynne Hahn, Winchester, California

Loaded Waffle Fries

Make most any meal better with these Loaded Waffle Fries, topped with a savory blend of cheese, scallions and bacon. I copied this family favorite recipe from a local restaurant and it's great with hot dogs, burgers or by itself.
—Jeffrey Viccone, Decatur, Illinois

Cindy's Chocolate Chip Cookies

My husband and two sons try other chocolate chip cookies and tell me there's no comparison with mine. And my husband doesn't even like chocolate! Cindy's Chocolate Chip Cookies are nice and crisp, but be sure to not overbake them.
—Cindy Utter, Jacksonville, Illinois

Top 10 Classic American Recipes >

Sandwich Recipes >

More Make-at-Home Ideas

Herb butters like those served in restaurants are easy to make, and they freeze well. Simply combine 1 tablespoon of minced fresh herbs with 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine. Spoon the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap, roll into a log and freeze until ready to use. Slice off a tablespoon or so of the butter to serve with cooked vegetables, chicken, fish, warm biscuits or rolls.
—Simple & Delicious Test Kitchen

After trying delicious pancakes in a local restaurant, I determined what made them so good was a hint of maple. So now I add a dash of maple syrup to my pancakes. Yum!
—Barbara N., Bangor, Maine

To make whipped butter like that served in some restaurants with pancakes, let your butter soften at room temperature, then beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Some restaurants mix in a little honey, confectioners' sugar or orange peel for added flavor.
—Simple & Delicious Test Kitchen

Many restaurants and fast-food chains cook their fries in two steps for extra crispness:
- Cut the potatoes into strips about 3/8 inch wide. Heat cooking oil to 375° and fry potatoes in small batches so the temperature of the oil is not lowered with the addition of the potatoes. Cook the potatoes to a light brown; remove to paper towels to cool.
- After all the potatoes are fried once, fry them again, in batches, until golden brown. Place fries on a paper towel-lined ovenproof platter and keep warm in a 300° oven until all are cooked a second time. Serve immediately.
—Simple & Delicious Test Kitchen

My mother cooked in a restaurant and taught me to drop a spoonful of ketchup into beef gravy for richer flavor without a tomato taste.
—Elnora W., Ontario, California

Sprinkle your chicken salad with a little cinnamon to make it really special. I learned this trick from a small local restaurant.
—Myrtle S., Franklin, North Carolina

Healthy Fast Food Options >

Fast Food: Dining on the Dash >

Healthy Eating Out Tips >