The Best Copycat Recipes for Winter

Wendy's Chili Copycat

This hearty slow cooker chili can cook for up to 10 hours on low in the slow cooker. It’s so good to come home to its wonderful aroma after a long day away. —Sue Call, Beech Grove, Indiana

Boston Market Turkey Potpie Copycat

I always use the leftovers from our big holiday turkey to prepare this recipe. I think my family enjoys the potpies more than the original feast! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Cracker Barrel Roast Beef Copycat

Everyone loves slices of this fork-tender roast beef with its savory gravy. The well-seasoned roast is Mom’s specialty. People always ask about the secret ingredients. Now you have the delicious recipe for our favorite meat dish! —Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania

The Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie Copycat

This is the best shepherd’s pie recipe I’ve ever tasted. It’s very quick to make, and I usually have most—if not all—of the ingredients already on hand. —Tirzah Sandt, San Diego, California

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Copycat

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick. Use the vegetables lying in your fridge, toss in some chicken and store-bought gnocchi and you’ll have plenty of leftovers to last you the week. —Risa Lichtman, Portland, Oregon

Country Kitchen Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp Copycat

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

Noodles & Company Steak Stroganoff Copycat

No more standing and stirring at the stove. This creamy Stroganoff preps in a skillet, then cooks all day while you’re away. —Sarah C. Vasques, Milford, New Hampshire

O’Charley's Overloaded Potato Soup Copycat

I like to put twists on my grandmother’s recipes, which is what I did with this one. I look forward to passing my own delicious comfort food recipes to my kids. —Jamie Chase, Rising Sun, Indiana

The Cheesecake Factory Chicken Madeira Copycat

Skip the enormous menu at The Cheesecake Factory and make chicken Madeira at home instead. I love this lightly breaded chicken breast with melted mozzarella cheese, bathed in a savory Madeira wine mushroom sauce. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Cracker Barrel Chicken n’ Dumplins Copycat

Using precooked chicken and ready-made biscuits, this hearty dish is comfort food made simple. It’s the perfect way to warm up on chilly nights. —Lakeya Astwood, Schenectady, New York

Boston Market Mac & Cheese Copycat

Our stovetop macaroni and cheese is extra special, thanks to the buttery crumb topping. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Dunkin’ Hot Chocolate Copycat

You need just a few basic ingredients to stir up this spirit-warming sipper. The comforting beverage is smooth and not too sweet, making it just right for cozy chilly nights. —Flo Snodderly, North Vernon, Indiana

The Cheesecake Factory Steak Diane Copycat

When I want to provide a memorable dinner but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this is the recipe I rely on. I’ve used it many times on holidays or other occasions for a quick, impressive main dish. We relish the savory steak Diane sauce. —Pheobe Carre, Mullica Hill, New Jersey

Panera Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Copycat

Years ago, I fell hard for a lemony Greek soup at Panera. It was just a special back then, but I re-created it at home so we could eat it whenever a craving hit! —Kristin Cherry, Bothell, Washington

Country Kitchen Cinnamon Apple Swirl Pancakes Copycat

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

Noodles & Company Alfredo MontAmore Copycat

When I want a lighter dinner, I use lean turkey bacon in this recipe. It gives the pasta that richness you want without all the extra fat. —Courtney Harris, Denton, Texas

Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits Copycat

The reason we all go to Red Lobster is for the biscuits—and now you can make them at home in 30 minutes. Make the recipe your own by adding cayenne pepper, Parmesan cheese or basil for added flavor. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Cracker Barrel Mashed Potatoes Copycat

When it comes to mashed potatoes recipes, this is one of my favorites because they can be made ahead, refrigerated and then popped into the oven just prior to dinnertime. When my grandchildren come for dinner, I have to double this recipe. They love it! —Vivian Bailey, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Olive Garden Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara Copycat

Filled with crispy, juicy chicken, tender shrimp, red peppers and al dente pasta all tossed in a Parmesan creamy sauce, this just might be our favorite Olive Garden copycat recipe. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Culver's Stuffed Green Pepper Soup Copycat

I was talking about stuffed peppers with the other cooks at the restaurant where I work. We decided to mix similar ingredients for a soup. Customer response was overwhelming! —Krista Muddiman, Meadville, Pennsylvania

The Cheesecake Factory Eggplant Parmesan Copycat

Because my recipe calls for baking the eggplant instead of frying it, it’s much healthier than other parmesans! The prep time is a little longer than for some recipes, but the Italian flavors and rustic elegance are well worth it. —Laci Hooten, McKinney, Texas

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup Copycat

Get unlimited refills of this hearty and healthy Olive Garden minestrone soup at home. It’s filled with a variety of tender vegetables, like carrots, zucchini and celery and made flavorful with fresh parsley and basil. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Golden Corral Macaroni and Cheese Copycat

You’ll always have a winner at the potluck when you bring macaroni and cheese. Here’s an extra-rich, creamy version for the slow cooker. —Jennifer Blondek, Chicopee, Massachusetts

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery Maple Glazed Pork Chops and Eggs Copycat

Everyone cleaned their plates when my mother made these succulent, tangy-sweet pork chops when I was growing up. Now I get the same results when I serve them to my family alongside applesauce and au gratin potatoes. —Cheryl Miller, Fort Collins, Colorado

Panera Mac & Cheese Copycat

You won’t be able to tell the difference between this mac and cheese and Panera’s. But you can make the recipe your own, too: Add chopped bacon or chorizo for protein or toss in green onions and basil for added freshness. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Boston Market Rotisserie Chicken Soup Copycat

My first Wisconsin winter was so cold, all I wanted to eat was homemade chicken noodle soup. Of all the chicken noodle soup recipes out there, this type of soup is my favorite and is in heavy rotation from November to April. It has many incredibly devoted fans.—Gina Nistico, Denver, Colorado

Maggiano’s Little Italy Chicken Parmesan Copycat

I love making this satisfying dish–it’s easy and elegant, and the slow cooker minimizes my time in the kitchen. I make this during football season, too. For game days, I skip the pasta and serve the chicken on submarine rolls with a bit of the sauce and some chopped lettuce. You could also cut the chicken breasts in half and make sliders. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Cracker Barrel Fried Apples Copycat

If you’re feeling festive, scoop some vanilla ice cream over a bowl of these cinnamon spiced apples. They’re homey, aromatic and just plain heavenly. —Amie Powell, Knoxville, Tennessee

The Cheesecake Factory Pasta Carbonara Copycat

When a man at church found out how much my family likes fettuccine, he shared his Italian grandmother’s carbonara recipe with us. I’ve made it my own over the last 25 years. Grated Parmesan cheese works just as well as Romano. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York

Red Lobster New England Clam Chowder Copycat

I ran across this recipe in one of my antique cookbooks. It’s a timeless classic I like to prepare for friends and family throughout the year, but especially during the holidays. —Betty Ann Morgan, Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls Copycat

If your favorite part about going to the mall is the food court, then you’ll love these Cinnabon copycat cinnamon rolls. This recipe duplicates Cinnabon’s notes of their trademarked cinnamon, doughy bread and mouth-watering brown sugar-sprinkled center for an authentic taste. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen