These budget-friendly restaurant copycat recipes will help you recreate your favorite menu items for $5 (or less!) per serving.
22 Budget-Friendly Restaurant Copycat Recipes
Updated Jan. 30, 2024
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Inspired by: Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi
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.Estimated menu price: $19.95
Estimated price per serving: $2.01 to $3.00
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Inspired by: Panera’s Bacon Turkey Bravo® Sandwich
This cranberry turkey sandwich isn't the usual half-hearted combination of leftovers. It's a delicious riff on the classic club sandwich, but made on foccaccia with a tangy cranberry mayo.Estimated menu price:Â $8.29
Estimated price per serving: $2.01 to $3.00
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Inspired by: Qdoba’s Tortilla Soup
Put a little spice in your menu with my favorite Anaheim pepper recipe. The peppers, jalapenos and cayenne heat up this full-flavored tortilla soup. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, ArizonaEstimated menu price: $3.30
Estimated price per serving: $1.51 to $2.00
Check out these copycat Chinese takeout recipes for dinner tonight.
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Inspired by: Noodles & Company’s Wisconsin Mac & Cheese
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, ArizonaEstimated menu price: $6.25
Estimated price per serving: $0.76 to $1.00
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Inspired by: BRAVO Cucina Italiana’s Spaghettini + Meatballs
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, WyomingEstimated 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.
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Inspired by: P.F. Chang’s Lettuce Wraps
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, TennesseeEstimated menu price: $9.95
Estimated price per serving: $2.01 to $3.00
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Inspired by: Honeybaked Ham
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 KitchenEstimated menu price: $64
Estimated price per serving: $2.01 to $3.00
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Inspired by: Chipotle’s Side of Guacamole
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, TexasEstimated menu price: $2.05
Estimated price per serving: $0.26 to $0.50
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Inspired by: Red Robin’s Bacon Cheeseburger
Our foolproof bacon cheeseburger recipe makes big, juicy, flavorful burgers with all the best toppings—crisp bacon, sharp cheddar, and fresh tomato and lettuce.Estimated menu price: $10.99
Estimated price per serving: $1.01 to $1.50
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Inspired by: The Cheesecake Factory’s Oreo® Dream Extreme Cheesecake
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, IndianaEstimated menu price: $8.50 per slice
Estimated price per serving: $0.76 to $1.00
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Inspired by: Olive Garden’s Lasagna Classico
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, ArizonaEstimated menu price: $14.29
Estimated price per serving: $1.51 to $2.00
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Inspired by: California Pizza Kitchen’s Tomato Basil Bisque
Turn fresh tomatoes, garlic and onion into a roasted tomato soup that explodes with flavor.Estimated menu price:Â $6.99
Estimated price per serving: $1.01 to $1.50
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Inspired by: SONIC’s Chili Cheese Coney Dog
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, MinnesotaEstimated menu price: $1.99
Estimated price per serving: $1.01 to $1.50
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Inspired by: Maggiano’s Little Italy’s Tomato Bruschetta
Full of simple yet bold Italian flavors, this easy bruschetta recipe is perfect crowd-friendly fare.Estimated menu price: $1.95 per piece
Estimated price per serving: $0.26 to $0.50
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Inspired by: Hard Rock Cafe’s Grilled Norwegian Salmon
It takes only four ingredients and a few moments to make this delightful main dish. —Tara Ernspiker, Falling Waters, West VirginiaEstimated menu price: $20
Estimated price per serving: $3.01 to $4.00
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Inspired by: McDonald’s McRib
Perfect for a weekday dinner or cozy weekend meal, this recipe makes fall-off-the-bone tender meat with delicious flavor. —Margaret Luchsinger, Jupiter, FloridaEstimated menu price: $3.19
Estimated price per serving: $1.51 to $2.00
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Inspired by: Qdoba’s Vegetarian Burrito
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 CarolinaEstimated menu price: $7.50
Estimated price per serving: $0.76 to $1.00
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Inspired by: Bonefish Grill’s Maryland-Style Crab Cakes
There's no need to travel to the shore for crab cakes. Our easy crab cake recipe makes crispy cakes that show off the rich, sweet flavor of crab without deep-frying.Estimated menu price: $13.70
Estimated price per serving: $3.01 to $4.00
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Inspired by: Dunkin’ Donuts Powdered Munchkins
Enjoy breakfast the New Orleans way with these warm, crispy bites. Topped with powdered sugar, they are a delight! —Lois Rutherford, Elkton, FloridaEstimated menu price: $6.29 for 25 pieces
Estimated price per serving: Less than $0.25
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Inspired by: P.F. Chang’s Shrimp Pad Thai
This 30-minute shrimp pad thai recipe has all the iconic funky flavor of the traditional recipe, without some of the harder-to-find ingredients.Estimated menu price: $15.95
Estimated price per serving: $2.01 to $3.00
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Inspired by: California Pizza Kitchen’s Hawaiian Pizza
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, CaliforniaEstimated menu price: $13.99
Estimated price per serving: $2.01 to $3.00
Originally Published: June 22, 2020
