Delicious Copycat Recipes That Are Even Better Than the Originals

Copycat Pesto Cavatappi
Photo: Culinary Hill

We found and created delish copycat recipes that beat the real deal. We're talking copycat restaurant recipes from Panera (chili), Olive Garden (Alfredo sauce), even Starbucks (icy caramel macchiatos), plus candy remakes and cookies that will fill the gaps between scout sales.

01 of 25

Copycat Chicken Sandwich

Crispy Dill Pickle Chicken Sandwiches
Carson Downing

When you serve this copycat crispy chicken sandwich with a side of waffle fries, no one will believe this meal isn't takeout. The secret to the just-like-Chick-fil-A tender results? A pickle juice brine. There's even a copycat signature sauce recipe, too. A toasted bun and a few pickle slices are all you need to complete one of our most popular copycat recipes.

02 of 25

Copycat Turkey Chili

Copycat Turkey Chili
Matthew Clark

With this Panera copycat recipe in your collection, you'll be able to enjoy this chili any time of the year, even if the soup is in season at stores. And let us assure you, it's so good you'll want to make it year-round! There's just something about the combination of veggies, turkey, beans, and spices in a tomato-y broth that brings us comfort no matter the weather.

Buy It: Rachel Ray 6-Qt. Stock Pot, $39.99, Bed Bath & Beyond

03 of 25

Copycat Pesto Cavatappi

Copycat Pesto Cavatappi
Culinary Hill

Go ahead, give it a twirl. Thanks to Culinary Hill, you can whip up this delicious copycat restaurant recipe faster than you could order it from Noodles & Company. You're just 15 minutes away from enjoying this yummy noodle bowl, loaded with pesto and Parmesan cheese, of course.

04 of 25

Copycat Alfredo Sauce

Copycat Alfredo Sauce
Cupcake Diaries

On your quest for copycat recipes from restaurants, we know you're looking for this one. Your favorite showstopping pasta sauce is here! Cupcake Diaries created a recipe for legendary Alfredo. With this creamy Olive Garden copycat recipe, pasta night just got a whole lot better. Unlimited salad and warm breadsticks are up to you.

05 of 25

Copycat Smashed Burgers

Copycat Smashed Burgers
Matthew Clark

The secret to these extra juicy burgers? Form the patties into a ball, then smash them down in the pan as they cook. Finish with your favorite burger toppings, and this Smashburger copycat recipe is ready to serve (with plenty of ketchup and mustard, naturally).

06 of 25

Coffee Shop Copycat Egg Bites

Copycat Egg Bites
Matthew Clark

Starbucks copycat recipes move beyond the sippable variety with these easy egg bites. By going the DIY route, you can customize with your favorite mix-ins (we're fond of bacon, spinach, red peppers, and Gruyère). Make a big batch and store them in your fridge for up to three days for an affordable, quick, and healthy grab-and-go breakfast.

07 of 25

Copycat Oatmeal Cream Pies

Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies
Jason Donnelly

Step aside, Little Debbie. Our copycat recipe for homemade oatmeal cream pies will knock your socks off. The use of fresh vanilla bean in the cookies themselves makes the cookie sandwiches truly special. This is one item you can cross off your grocery list forever.

08 of 25

Copycat Lemon Rosemary Chicken

Copycat Lemon Rosemary Chicken
Cupcake Diaries

This delicious grilled chicken glazed with lemon and rosemary is even better than its counterpart at Johnny Carino's. It's Italian decadence at its best! Created by Cupcake Diaries, this copycat restaurant recipe is perfect with a side of angel hair pasta tossed with spinach and tomatoes.

09 of 25

Copycat Skillet Queso

Copycat Skillet Queso
Cupcake Diaries

Guests will be clamoring for this creamy queso, so go ahead and make a double batch! (No sweat if you don't think to do so before the party. A new batch can be yours in just 10 minutes.) This copycat recipe of Chili's skillet queso from Cupcake Diaries is the perfect choice for a party appetizer. Serve with a big basket of tortilla chips to complete the experience.

10 of 25

Copycat Coconut Joy Candy Bars

Coconut Joy Candy Bars
Andy Lyons

We'll never say no to dessert, and these copycat Almond Joy candy bars are one of our favorite ways to indulge. A decadent milk chocolate ganache covers toasted almonds and a coconut filling. These homemade candy bars might just be even better than the real thing.

Buy It: Sur la Table Baking Pan, $33, Sur la Table

11 of 25

Copycat Zuppa Toscana Soup

Sausage, Potato, White Bean, and Kale Soup
Linda Pugliese/From Healthyish by Lindsay Maitland Hunt

Packed with flavor, this recipe features sausage, potatoes, white beans, and kale. This Zuppa Toscana copycat recipe tastes a lot like Olive Garden's hearty soup. To make it creamier and even more like the restaurant version, puree the beans before adding them into the stockpot.

12 of 25

Copycat Alice Springs Chicken

Copycat Alice Springs Chicken
Culinary Hill

Now you can make this decadent chicken dinner in your own kitchen. Culinary Hill has replicated Outback Steakhouse's recipe for this yummy grilled chicken covered in honey mustard sauce, cheese, mushrooms, and bacon. Place this chicken dinner, one of our best copycat recipes, on a bed of rice, quinoa, pasta, or leafy greens.

13 of 25

Copycat Cinnamon Rolls

Copycat Cinnamon Rolls
Jo Cooks

Rise and shine, Cinnabon lovers. That heavenly smell is back and better than ever, thanks to Jo Cooks' sweet copycat cinnamon roll recipe. And yes, the frosting is made with real cream cheese.

14 of 25

Copycat Bow Tie Festival

Copycat Bow Tie Festival
Cupcake Diaries

Forget dining out. With this copycat recipe of Johnny Carino's bow tie festival, you'll be begging for any excuse to eat in. This recipe from Cupcake Diaries perfectly captures the creamy sauce and smoky bacon that make this chicken pasta dish a crowd-pleaser.

15 of 25

Copycat Bacon-Cheddar Chipotle Panini

Bacon-Cheddar Chipotle Chicken Panini
Karla Conrad

This Panera copycat recipe is remarkably similar to a combo of the chain's Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt mashed-up with the Roasted Turkey and Avocado BLT. Even though it includes ranch, cheese, and bacon, this healthy sandwich clocks in at right around 400 calories.

16 of 25

Copycat Crunch Cone

Copycat Crunch Cone

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Turn plain ice cream into a nostalgic treat similar to Dairy Queen's legendary crunch coat. All you need to create one of the best copycat recipes for dessert is a quick dip in crushed praline pecans and colorful sprinkles.

17 of 25

Copycat Rolls with Cinnamon Butter

Copycat Rolls with Cinnamon Butter
Finding Zest

A copycat recipe of the top-secret Texas Roadhouse rolls is out, and we're all in. Finding Zest creates a homemade bread duplicate so delicious that you'd never guess it's not the real deal. Bring on the cinnamon butter!

18 of 25

Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte
Matthew Clark

Why wait for the next PSL season when you can try this Starbucks copycat recipe any time you like? Make a big batch in the slow cooker and invite your friends over for a coffee date. Sweetened with maple syrup and made with real canned pumpkin, this cozy drink can be enjoyed all year long. Make it completely dairy-free with unsweetened almond milk and vegan whipped cream (or aquafaba meringue!).

19 of 25

Copycat Lo Mein

Copycat Lo Mein
Damn Delicious

Gone are the days of Panda Express takeout runs. This copycat soy-splashed lo mein recipe from Damn Delicious means you never have to leave home on movie night. Did we mention there will be leftovers of this copycat restaurant recipe?

20 of 25

Copycat Pasta Fagioli

Copycat Pasta Fagioli
Kritsada Panichgul

Similar to one of the unlimited offerings in the soup, salad, and breadsticks deal, this Olive Garden copycat recipe can now be yours all from the comfort of your pj's. A splash of red wine and a few strips of bacon add cooked-all-day flavor to the 40-minute recipe. Beans, tomatoes, pasta, and fresh basil round out each restaurant-like bowl of goodness.

21 of 25

Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets

Copycat Chick-Fil-A Nuggets
Damn Delicious

Here's a copycat restaurant recipe that will surely please all the kids, and kids at heart! Your Chick-fil-A drive-through days are over, thanks to these crispy little nuggets by Damn Delicious. Start the copycat recipe with a pickle juice marinade, then dip and dunk in the most epic honey mustard ever.

22 of 25

Copycat Lettuce Wraps

Copycat Lettuce Wraps
Damn Delicious

Twenty minutes is all you need to make this fan-favorite P.F. Chang's appetizer at home. Damn Delicious uses hoisin sauce, soy, and garlic to give it Asian-inspired flavor. Now, with this copycat recipe in your arsenal (that also works well with ground turkey or even lamb), you can nosh on fancy lettuce wraps all you want.

23 of 25

Copycat Fish Sandwich

Copycat Fish Sandwich
Real Housemoms

There's nothing fishy about this copycat recipe for a crispy filet of fish sandwich. Dripping in homemade tartar sauce and topped with crisp lettuce, this Real Housemoms recipe satisfies that McDonald's craving right at home. Tilapia keeps the seafood supper budget-friendly, while Greek yogurt in the tartar sauce sneaks in a little extra protein.

24 of 25

Copycat Iced Caramel Macchiato

Copycat Iced Caramel Macchiato
Eugenie Kitchen

When you need coffee, you need coffee. Skip the long lines at Starbucks and opt for your own icy drink at home. Eugenie Kitchen's iced caramel macchiato hits the spot. Her Starbucks copycat recipe calls for just four ingredients, plus ice, of course.

25 of 25

Copycat Rosemary Bread

Copycat Rosemary Bread
Cooking Classy

Baked with fresh rosemary and topped with flaky sea salt, who wouldn't want a piece of this copycat recipe for Macaroni Grill bread? Especially when it's sliced and served alongside homemade pasta or a warm slow cooker dip. Cooking Classy will teach you exactly how to bake up a loaf you'll love.

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