These budget-friendly restaurant copycat recipes will help you recreate your favorite menu items for $5 (or less!) per serving.
21 Budget-Friendly Restaurant Copycat Recipes
Updated on Jan. 30, 2024
1/21
Inspired by: Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Use your favorite dry, crisp white wine to make this copycat Cheesecake Factory shrimp scampi recipe. Plate it just like the restaurant by arranging the shrimp around a mound of angel hair pasta.
Nutrition Facts:
2-1/2 cups: 1121 calories, 64g fat (36g saturated fat), 370mg cholesterol, 993mg sodium, 86g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 46g protein.
Estimated menu price: $19.95
Estimated price per serving: $2.01 to $3.00
2/21
Inspired by: Panera’s Bacon Turkey Bravo® Sandwich
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family thinks this sandwich is pure heaven thanks to the cranberry-pecan mayo. It's so good that they ask me to make it all year long. —Judy Wilson, Sun City West, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 wedge: 707 calories, 41g fat (10g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 1153mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein.
Estimated menu price:Â $8.29
Estimated price per serving: $2.01 to $3.00
Estimated menu price:Â $3.30
Estimated price per serving: $1.51 to $2.00
Check out these copycat Chinese takeout recipes for dinner tonight.
3/21
4/21
Inspired by: Noodles & Company’s Wisconsin Mac & Cheese
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to serve this mac & cheese with a salad and crusty bread. It's a satisfying meal that feels upscale, but will fit just about any budget. And because the Gorgonzola is so mild in this dish, even the kiddos will go for it. —Charlotte Giltner, Mesa, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 468 calories, 22g fat (14g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 649mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein.
Estimated menu price: $6.25
Estimated price per serving: $0.76 to $1.00
5/21
Inspired by: BRAVO Cucina Italiana’s Spaghettini + Meatballs
Total Time
2 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It was such a joy to come home and find my mom making spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. This recipe has always been dear to my heart. —Debbie Heggie, Laramie, Wyoming
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (calculated without spaghetti): 254 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 798mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein.
Estimated menu price: $15.99
Estimated price per serving: $1.01 to $1.50
Don’t forget to take a look at our collection of the best copycat recipes of 2022.
6/21
Inspired by: P.F. Chang’s Lettuce Wraps
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of my go-to meals when I want a fun dinner. I love the spicy Asian flavors against the cool lettuce and the added crunch of peanuts and water chestnuts. —Brittany Allyn, Nashville, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
2 each: 303 calories, 12g fat (1g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 981mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 32g protein.
Estimated menu price:Â $9.95
Estimated price per serving: $2.01 to $3.00
7/21
Inspired by: Honeybaked Ham
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Your Easter celebration will be so simple to orchestrate with this sweet, smoky ham recipe at your fingertips. It feeds a crowd and the baked ham glaze tastes fantastic. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked ham with 1 tablespoon sauce: 270 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 1234mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein.
Estimated menu price: $64
Estimated price per serving: $2.01 to $3.00
8/21
Inspired by: Chipotle’s Side of Guacamole
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I always judge a Tex-Mex restaurant by its guacamole. And although it's simple to prepare, it can go wrong oh, so easily. I've spent many years perfecting mine, to the point where I think it's better than most restaurants. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 90 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 78mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 4g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat.
Estimated menu price: $2.05
Estimated price per serving: $0.26 to $0.50
9/21
Inspired by: Red Robin’s Bacon Cheeseburger
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Where can you get a juicy burger that is so superior to drive-thru fare? Right in your backyard with this delicious bacon cheeseburger recipe. —Jackie Burns, Silverdale, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 472 calories, 25g fat (10g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 947mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 33g protein.
Estimated menu price: $10.99
Estimated price per serving: $1.01 to $1.50
10/21
Inspired by: The Cheesecake Factory’s Oreo® Dream Extreme Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I used to think cheesecake sounded intimidating, but since I started making them I can’t stop! This simple but special cookie-topped version will make your family feel fussed over. —Rose Yoder, Middlebury, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 505 calories, 33g fat (18g saturated fat), 134mg cholesterol, 425mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
Estimated menu price: $8.50 per slice
Estimated price per serving: $0.76 to $1.00
11/21
Inspired by: Olive Garden’s Lasagna Classico
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
2 lasagnas (12 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Our family loves this recipe along with a green salad and garlic bread. It's so handy to have an extra pan in the freezer when unexpected guests drop in or you need to take a main course to a charity event. —Geri Davis, Prescott, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 365 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 820mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.
Estimated menu price: $14.29
Estimated price per serving: $1.51 to $2.00
12/21
Inspired by: California Pizza Kitchen’s Tomato Basil Bisque
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Just before the first frost of the season, we gather up all of the tomatoes from my mom’s garden to create this flavor-packed soup. Although it sounds like a lot of garlic, when it’s roasted, the garlic becomes mellow and almost sweet. We serve this soup with toasted bread spread with pesto. —Kaitlyn Lerdahl, Madison, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 276 calories, 22g fat (6g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 421mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 5g fiber), 4g protein.
Estimated menu price:Â $6.99
Estimated price per serving: $1.01 to $1.50
13/21
Inspired by: SONIC’s Chili Cheese Coney Dog
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Long live childhood favorites! I created this recipe for the 125th anniversary of a small town in Minnesota. The medium spice level means that people of all ages love the flavors. —Barb Templin, Norwood, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 420 calories, 25g fat (12g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 1096mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein.
Estimated menu price: $1.99
Estimated price per serving: $1.01 to $1.50
14/21
Inspired by: Maggiano’s Little Italy’s Tomato Bruschetta
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I drew inspiration from my grandma’s recipe for this garden-fresh bruschetta. The crisp bread and tomato goodness make a great party appetizer, but the dish also works alongside your favorite Italian entree. —Jean Franzoni, Rutland, Vermont
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 77 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 172mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
Estimated menu price: $1.95 per piece
Estimated price per serving: $0.26 to $0.50
15/21
Inspired by: Hard Rock Cafe’s Grilled Norwegian Salmon
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It takes only four ingredients and a few moments to make this delightful main dish. —Tara Ernspiker, Falling Waters, West Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
6 ounce-weight: 394 calories, 18g fat (4g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 568mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 0 fiber), 35g protein.
Estimated menu price:Â $20
Estimated price per serving: $3.01 to $4.00
16/21
Inspired by: McDonald’s McRib
Total Time
6 hours 30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Perfect for a weekday dinner or cozy weekend meal, this recipe makes fall-off-the-bone tender meat with delicious flavor. —Margaret Luchsinger, Jupiter, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 405 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 713mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein.
Estimated menu price: $3.19
Estimated price per serving: $1.51 to $2.00
17/21
Inspired by: Qdoba’s Vegetarian Burrito
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
No one will miss the meat when you dish up these satisfying burritos bursting with a fresh-tasting filling. They’re fast to fix and won’t put a dent in your wallet. —Sharon W. Bickett, Chester, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 burrito with 1 tablespoon salsa: 326 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 500mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein.
Estimated menu price:Â $7.50
Estimated price per serving: $0.76 to $1.00
18/21
Inspired by: Bonefish Grill’s Maryland-Style Crab Cakes
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our region is known for good seafood, and crab cakes are a traditional favorite. I learned to make them from a chef in a restaurant where they were a bestseller. The crabmeat's sweet and mild flavor is sparked by the blend of other ingredients. —Debbie Terenzini, Lusby, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 crab cake: 282 calories, 22g fat (3g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 638mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 14g protein.
Estimated menu price: $13.70
Estimated price per serving: $3.01 to $4.00
19/21
Inspired by: Dunkin’ Donuts Powdered Munchkins
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Enjoy breakfast the New Orleans way with these warm, crispy bites. Topped with powdered sugar, they are a delight! —Lois Rutherford, Elkton, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 66 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 42mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
Estimated menu price: $6.29 for 25 pieces
Estimated price per serving: Less than $0.25
20/21
Inspired by: P.F. Chang’s Shrimp Pad Thai
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You can make this yummy Thai classic in no time. Find fish sauce and chili garlic sauce in the Asian foods aisle of your grocery store. —Elise Ray, Shawnee, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 338 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 115mg cholesterol, 1675mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein.
Estimated menu price: $15.95
Estimated price per serving: $2.01 to $3.00
21/21
Inspired by: California Pizza Kitchen’s Hawaiian Pizza
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A prebaked pizza crust and refrigerated barbecued pork make this tasty supper idea super fast and super easy. Cut into bite-sized pieces, and it can double as a great last-minute appetizer, too! —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 343 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 856mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein.
Estimated menu price: $13.99
Estimated price per serving: $2.01 to $3.00
