10+ Copycat Restaurant Recipes You Can Make Easily at Home

Copycat restaurant recipes are a fun way to bring your favorite dishes into your own kitchen. You get to recreate those flavors you crave, and you don’t even have to leave the house or spend a fortune.

There are copycat recipes out there for all sorts of food—appetizers, mains, desserts, you name it. So if you’re feeling adventurous or just want to eat something familiar, you’ve got options.

1) Olive Garden Breadsticks

If you’re a fan of Olive Garden breadsticks, you can totally whip up a batch at home. They come out soft, chewy, and have that irresistible garlic-butter thing going on.

These breadsticks pair well with soups, pasta, or just a bowl of marinara sauce. The best part? You probably have most of the ingredients already.

Make the dough, give it some time to rise, and bake until golden brown. You’ll want to eat them fresh out of the oven.

A basic recipe calls for yeast, water, flour, and butter. Sprinkle garlic and Parmesan on top for that signature touch.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 1/8 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
2. Add oil, flour, and salt. Knead until smooth.
3. Let the dough rise for about an hour.
4. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
5. Shape dough into breadsticks and place on a baking sheet.
6. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden.
7. Brush with butter mixed with garlic powder and sprinkle with Parmesan.
8. Eat them while they’re warm.

Get the full details here: Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe.

2) Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake

If you’re craving that rich, creamy Cheesecake Factory dessert, you can make something pretty close at home. The texture is smooth, a little tangy, and just sweet enough.

Start with cream cheese, eggs, sugar, sour cream, vanilla, and a bit of lemon juice. When you mix it all up, you get that dense, velvety filling.

Bake it low and slow to avoid cracks. Cool it completely, then chill in the fridge for a few hours.

Ingredients

• 4 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup flour

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
3. Add eggs one by one, mixing each time.
4. Stir in sour cream, vanilla, lemon juice, and flour.
5. Pour into a greased springform pan.
6. Bake 55-70 minutes, until almost set in the center.
7. Let it cool, then chill at least 4 hours.

More info at: Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake Recipe.

3) Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

You can make Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup at home. It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with broccoli.

Start by melting butter and cooking onions until soft. Add flour to make a roux, then whisk in half-and-half and chicken broth.

Toss in fresh broccoli and let it simmer until tender. Finish by stirring in sharp cheddar cheese until it melts.

This soup comes together fast, which is great when you want comfort food in a hurry.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
• 1/2 pound fresh broccoli, cut into small florets
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a big pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and cook 3-4 minutes.
3. Stir in flour and cook another minute or two.
4. Slowly whisk in half-and-half and chicken stock.
5. Add broccoli and simmer 10-12 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar until melted.
7. Serve it up hot.

Details here: Allrecipes.

4) Chipotle Sofritas

If you like Chipotle’s Sofritas, you can make a pretty convincing version at home. Shredded tofu soaks up a spicy, smoky sauce with chipotle peppers and spices.

Braise the tofu in the sauce with garlic, tomato paste, cumin, and oregano. Simmer it until the flavors come together.

You can adjust the heat to your liking. It’s a tasty vegan protein for burritos, tacos, or bowls.

Ingredients

• 14 oz firm tofu, shredded
• 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo
• 2 tbsp adobo sauce
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Press and shred tofu to get rid of extra water.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium.
3. Add garlic and cook for a minute.
4. Stir in chipotle peppers, adobo, tomato paste, and spices.
5. Add broth and maple syrup. Mix well.
6. Add tofu and simmer 10-15 minutes, stirring now and then.
7. Cook until sauce thickens and tofu tastes awesome.
8. Salt to taste and serve however you like.

5) IHOP Buttermilk Pancakes

Want pancakes like IHOP? You can make them at home, and it’s actually pretty easy.

The buttermilk gives them a nice tang, and baking powder and soda make them fluffy. Mix your dry ingredients, add the wet ones, and don’t over-stir.

Cook them on a hot griddle for that golden outside and soft, pillowy middle. Top with butter and syrup—classic.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat griddle to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix flour, baking powder, soda, and salt.
3. Make a well, add egg, buttermilk, oil.
4. Stir gently—don’t worry about lumps.
5. Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake.
6. Cook 2-3 minutes, flip, and cook another minute or two.
7. Serve right away.

More details here: Life In The Lofthouse.

6) The Halal Guys Chicken and Rice

You can bring the Halal Guys’ chicken and rice to your own table. Marinate chicken with lemon, garlic, cumin, and coriander for tons of flavor.

Cook the rice with turmeric and cumin for that bright color and aroma. The white sauce, mostly mayo plus a few seasonings, ties it all together.

Serve the chicken over rice and drizzle with sauce. It’s a satisfying meal, no street cart required.

Ingredients

• 3.5-4 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced
• 1.5 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp sumac
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 3 cups chicken stock
• Mayonnaise for white sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix lemon juice, garlic, oregano, sumac, coriander, onion powder, cumin, turmeric. Marinate chicken at least 1 hour.
2. Cook rice with chicken stock and turmeric.
3. Grill or pan-fry chicken until done (165°F / 74°C).
4. Make white sauce by mixing mayo with water, lemon juice, and spices.
5. Serve chicken over rice, top with sauce.

7) Starbucks Sous Vide Egg Bites

You can make Starbucks-style sous vide egg bites at home, and honestly, you don’t need fancy gear. They’re creamy, cheesy, and packed with protein.

Blend cottage cheese or cream cheese with eggs for that smooth texture. Bacon and Gruyère are classic, but it’s fun to change things up.

Use a silicone mold and bake the egg mixture in a water bath for best results. It’s a quick breakfast that’s low-carb and keto-friendly.

Check out this guide: copycat Starbucks sous vide egg bites with bacon and Gruyère.

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup cottage cheese or cream cheese
• ¼ cup cooked bacon, chopped
• ⅓ cup shredded Gruyère cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 172°F (78°C) if baking.
2. Blend eggs and cottage or cream cheese until super smooth.
3. Stir in bacon, Gruyère, salt, pepper, garlic powder.
4. Pour into silicone molds.
5. Set molds in a baking dish with hot water halfway up the sides.
6. Bake 30-40 minutes, until set.
7. Let cool a bit before popping them out.

8) Wendy’s Chili

If you’re a fan of Wendy’s chili, you can whip up a pretty convincing version at home. It’s got ground beef, beans, and a handful of veggies—think celery, onion, and bell pepper.

The chili comes out mild but flavorful. Seriously, it’s just the thing for a chilly afternoon when you want something cozy.

You’ll use both pinto and kidney beans here. Tomato juice and stewed tomatoes add a tangy, rich base.

Chili powder and cumin keep things classic. Nothing too wild, just good, simple flavor.

This combo of beans and beef makes a really hearty bowl. I like it for lunch or dinner, especially with some crackers or a sprinkle of cheese.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 cans pinto beans
• 2 cans kidney beans
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cans (14 oz) stewed tomatoes
• 1 bottle (46 oz) tomato juice
• Chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Toss in the chopped celery, onion, and bell pepper. Let them cook until they’re soft.
3. Add the beans (liquid and all), stewed tomatoes, and tomato juice.
4. Sprinkle in your chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir.
5. Simmer on low for 1-2 hours, stirring now and then.
6. Dish it up hot with whatever toppings make you happy.

You can check out more details on Just Like Wendy’s Chili Recipe.

9) Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi

If shrimp scampi is your thing, this Cheesecake Factory copycat recipe is worth a shot. You get plump shrimp in a buttery garlic sauce, with a splash of white wine and fresh lemon juice.

It’s all tossed with angel hair pasta for a light, flavorful bite. Diced tomatoes and shallots sneak in some extra texture and taste.

Just don’t overcook the shrimp—nobody likes rubbery seafood. Fresh parsley on top makes it look and taste even better.

Honestly, it looks fancy but comes together pretty easily at home.

Ingredients

• 1-2 lbs fresh shrimp, cleaned and deveined
• 1 lb angel hair pasta
• 6-8 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 shallot, diced
• 1 diced tomato
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta following the package directions, then set it aside.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Toss in the garlic and shallots; sauté until they smell amazing.
4. Add shrimp, cooking about 2 minutes per side until they’re pink.
5. Pour in white wine and lemon juice. Let it simmer for a couple minutes.
6. Stir in diced tomato and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Toss everything with the pasta and serve it up warm.

10) Copycat Olive Garden Salad

You can totally recreate Olive Garden’s famous salad at home. It starts with fresh lettuce, then you toss in tomatoes, red onions, black olives, and a few pepperoncini.

Crunchy croutons add just the right bite. The dressing? That’s where the magic happens.

It’s a mix of olive oil, mayo, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, Italian seasoning, garlic, and Parmesan. This combo gives the salad that tangy, slightly sweet kick that everyone seems to crave.

Making this salad doesn’t take much time. It works for lunch or as a side with dinner.

Ingredients

• Romaine lettuce
• Cherry tomatoes
• Red onion
• Black olives
• Pepperoncini
• Croutons
• Olive oil
• Mayonnaise
• White vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Sugar
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, pepperoncini, and croutons in a large bowl.
2. Blend olive oil, mayonnaise, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, Italian seasoning, garlic, and Parmesan in a food processor.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and give it a good mix.
4. Serve right away, or chill for about 10 minutes if you want it extra crisp.