39 Country Kitchen Copycat Recipes

Inspired by: Chicken & Waffle

My first experience with this dish sent my taste buds into orbit. I first made this chicken and waffles recipe into appetizers, but we all love them as a main course, too. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri

Inspired by: Farm Skillet

I added a little color and flavor to this country scrambled eggs recipe by adding some green pepper, onion and red potatoes. —Joyce Platfoot, Wapakoneta, Ohio

Inspired by: Aztec Quesadilla Burger

This combo gives you a tender burger, crisp veggies and a crunchy shell, plus fajita flavor. Kids love it. —Antonio Smith, Canal Winchester, Ohio

Inspired by: Classic Mac & Cheese

Even people who have had their own homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp white cheddar cheese for more flavor. —Shelby Thompson of Dover, Delaware

Inspired by: Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

I live in apple country, and making a delicious apple crisp is one way to use the fruit. This treat doesn’t take a lot of time to assemble. —Gertrude Bartnick, Portage, Wisconsin

Inspired by: Aunt Sylvia’s Famous Chicken Salad

When the weather sizzles, get your chill on with a cool chicken salad. Mine uses grapes, pecans and celery for that signature crunch. —Sarah Smiley, Bangor, Maine

Inspired by: The Best Pancakes in Town

I found this fluffy and easy pancake recipe among our old family favorites and adapted it to make a small amount. It's quick and easy to prepare, but we still consider it a special treat. —Eugene Presley, Council, Virginia

Inspired by: Classic Eggs Benedict

Legend has it that poached eggs on an English muffin started at Delmonico’s in New York. Here’s my take on this brunch classic, and don’t spare the hollandaise. —Barbara Pletzke, Herndon, Virginia

Inspired by: Chicken Bacon Melt

I created this chicken sandwich recipe based on a meal my daughter ordered at a restaurant. She likes to dip her sandwich in the extra honey-mustard sauce. —Marilyn Moberg, Papillion, Nebraska

Inspired by: Bacon Avocado Ranch Omelette

Hearty home-style food is popular in our small farming and timber community. We love pulling in flavors from other regions for this eggy dish. —Patricia Collins, Imbler, Oregon

Inspired by: Our Own Baked Potato Soup

My husband and I enjoyed a delicious baked potato soup at a restaurant while on vacation and I came home determined to duplicate the flavor. It took me five years to get the taste right! —Joann Goetz, Genoa, Ohio

Inspired by: Hot Fudge Sundae

Inspired by: Biscuits & Sausage Gravy

This biscuits and sausage gravy is an old southern recipe that I've adapted. Homemade sausage gravy is a classic, hearty breakfast that takes you on a trip to the South every time it's served. —Sue Baker, Jonesboro, Arkansas

Inspired by: Big Bad Bacon Burger

Every family has a burger of choice, and this is ours. It's stacked tall with bacon and crunchy onion rings. —Paula Homer, Nampa, Idaho

Inspired by: Chicken Fried Chicken

As a child, I learned from my grandmother how to make these chicken-fried steaks. I taught my daughters, and when my granddaughters are older, I’ll show them, too. —Donna Cater, Fort Ann, New York

Inspired by: French Toast

These French toast slices have creamy vanilla flavor from a convenient pudding mix, plus a hint of cinnamon. We like to top them with syrup or powdered sugar and fresh berries. —Linda Bernhagen, Plainfield, Illinois

Inspired by: Ham & Cheese Omelette

This easy omelet will be a snap to fix for breakfast or dinner. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

Inspired by: Country Cobb Salad

Making this salad is a lot like putting in a garden. I “plant” everything in nice, neat sections, just as I do with seedlings. —Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Inspired by: Country Eggs

When our son, Chris, wants something other than cold cereal in the morning, he whips up these eggs. Cheese and evaporated milk make them especially good. They're easy to make when you're camping, too. —Chris Pfleghaar, Elk River, Minnesota

Inspired by: Strawberry Pancakes

Blending sour cream and cottage cheese, ingredients traditionally associated with blintzes, into the batter of these pancakes gives them old-fashioned flavor. Top these family favorites with berry syrup to turn an ordinary morning into an extraordinary day.—Dianna Digoy, San Diego, California

Inspired by: Reuben Skillet

Sunday breakfasts have always been special in our house. It's fun to get in the kitchen and cook with the kids. No matter how many new recipes we try, they always rate this corned beef hash recipe No. 1! —Rick Skildum, Maple Grove, Minnesota

Inspired by: Classic Cheeseburger

Go on a burger road trip in your own backyard. Grill the patties and load them sky-high with your favorite toppings. For instance, peanut butter and bacon make them southern style; coleslaw and tomatoes, a northern version. —Susan Mahaney, New Hartford, New York

Inspired by: BBQ Ribs Dinner

I created this country ribs recipe many years ago when I adapted a sauce I saw in a magazine. The original called for much more oil. I usually triple the sauce and keep some in my freezer to use on chicken, beef or pork. —Barbara Gerriets, Topeka, Kansas

Inspired by: Chicken Quesadillas

Leftover chicken gets Mexican flair from cumin in this fun main dish. The chicken quesadilla recipe has an impressive look and taste yet requires little preparation. —Linda Wetzel, Woodland Park, Colorado

Inspired by: Slice of Pie

I remember coming home sullen one day because we'd lost a softball game. Grandma, in her wisdom, suggested that maybe a slice of hot apple pie would make me feel better. She was right. —Maggie Greene, Granite Falls, Washington

Inspired by: Triple Chocolate Pancakes

Mornings will get off to a great start with these yummy double-chocolate pancakes. Whip up a batch on the weekend, and you'll have speedy breakfasts the whole family will rave about for days to come. Got chocolate milk? Feel free to use it in place of the milk and instant chocolate drink mix. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Inspired by: Western Omelette

This cheesy, full-of-flavor omelet is modeled after one I tasted and loved in a local restaurant. Mine is so hearty and rich tasting that no one will guess it's lower in fat. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri

Inspired by: Belgian Waffle

It was during a visit to my husband's relatives in Europe that I was given this Belgian waffle recipe. These homemade waffles are fantastic with any kind of topping: blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, fried apples, powdered sugar or whipped topping. —Rose Delemeester, St. Charles, Michigan

Inspired by: Reuben

New Yorkers say my Reubens taste like those served in the famous delis there. For a little less kick, you can leave out the horseradish. —Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Inspired by: Strawberry Crepes

Take summer-ripe strawberries plus a creamy filling and tuck them into these delicate strawberry crepes for an elegant brunch entree. —Kathy Kochiss, Huntington, Connecticut

Inspired by: Cheesecake

This creamy cheesecake is a family tradition; I've even shipped it to my daughter as a special treat. Using frozen seasonal berries, it's an excellent dessert any time of year. —Jeanette Volker, Walton, Nebraska

Inspired by: Cod Basket

"Tuck in" as if you're in a traditional British pub. These oven-baked, moist fish fillets have a fuss-free coating that's healthy but just as crunchy and golden as the deep-fried kind. Simply seasoned and also baked, the crispy fries are perfect on the side. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado

Inspired by: Cinnamon Apple Swirl Pancakes

My family loves these light and fluffy apple cinnamon pancakes. And best of all, they're sweet enough to enjoy even without syrup. —Kim McConnell, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Inspired by: Skillet Scramble®

Start off your day on a hearty note! This one-dish wonder will easily keep your family satisfied until lunch. —Jeannette Westphal, Gettysburg, South Dakota

Inspired by: Homemade Meatloaf Dinner

The Rice Krispies used in this recipe are my mom’s secret ingredient. While they may seem odd or out of place, they help hold the meat loaf together. And once they are cooked, no one realizes they're even there. —Kelly Simmons, Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Inspired by: Strawberry Waffle

Being short on time is no excuse for an unhealthy breakfast. Protein, fruit, dairy and whole grains come together in a flash for a delicious start to the day. —Paula Wharton, El Paso, Texas

Inspired by: Bacon Cheeseburger

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

Inspired by: Garden Fresh Omelette

Healthy and simply delicious, this light and fluffy omelet is chock-full of fresh garden veggies, flavor and cheese. Makes it with whatever veggies you have on hand and it’s great for any meal at all! —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

Inspired by: Strawberry Topping Shake

Cool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! Nothing can beat this strawberry shake recipe. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin