Going out to dinner in this economy? If you find yourself passing more often than you used to, you’re not alone.
But thankfully, whether you’re craving budget-friendly eats or just prefer not to trek to a restaurant, there are plenty of ways to recreate your favorite menu items at home. Here are nine of our favorite dupes, ready to add some takeout-inspired flavor to your next cozy night in.
Egg Bites
Coffee shop egg bites are oh-so-delicious, but they aren’t exactly easy on your wallet. Make your own egg bites at home to save money and customize your egg bites to your taste. Our recipe is packed with smoky flavor, thanks to bacon and Swiss cheese, but you can mix it up with whichever veggies, meats and cheese are in your fridge. Meal prep a batch on Sunday for tasty breakfasts all week long.
Homemade Rolls with Cinnamon Honey Butter
Let’s be real: One of the best parts of eating out is the bread basket. But you can flex your culinary muscles and make soft, fluffy rolls at home. These rolls are light and pillowy, the perfect size to any main course, and get a little extra oomph from homemade honey butter. The best part? These rolls seem fancy, but require just 20 minutes of active prep.
Taco Crunch Wrap
Ah, the taco crunch wrap. An all-time drive-thru favorite. Thankfully, it’s easy to recreate at home. A package of McCormick® Original Taco Seasoning Mix does the heavy lifting to infuse each bite with vibrant taco flavor, while layers of lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and a corn tortilla add texture and crunch. These wraps also store well, so you can prep in advance and reheat for a quick meal.
Taco Fries
Get the full takeout experience by whipping up some taco fries, too. It’s easy: Lightly coat store-bought frozen fries with a dusting of McCormick® Original Taco Seasoning Mix, then bake or air fry to crispy perfection. This recipe works as a base for fully loaded fries, too: Just tomatoes, lettuce, taco-spiced ground beef, cheese and a dollop of sour cream to take the flavor to the next level.
Pork Ramen
Ramen is a perennial fave to warm up cozy nights. If traditional ramen preparation isn't in the cards, you can streamline the process with your Instant Pot. Pressure-cooking pork shoulder and seasonings in chicken broth creates an intensely flavorful stock, which you can dress up with bouncy noodles and your favorite toppings.
Honey Sesame Chicken
Sweet, savory and utterly delicious, this honey sesame chicken is the perfect choice when you’re craving Asian-inspired takeout. This recipe gets its incredible flavor from a deceptively simple honey-sesame sauce, made with soy sauce, ginger, pepper, sesame and garlic.
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Psst — the secret to better-than-takeout wings? It’s your air fryer! Circulating air helps your wings get deliciously crispy without adding as much oil and fat as deep-frying, making it easy to create restaurant-worthy wings at home. All you need is a package of McCormick® Air Fryer Buffalo Seasoning Mix to infuse your wings with irresistible heat and tangy flavor, and you can make this recipe with just 5 minutes of active prep.
Nachos Grande Supreme
Speaking of pub-inspired staples, these fully loaded nachos are a must-try. They’re loaded with layer after layer of flavor, from citrusy fajita-seasoned meat to sweet and crunchy red bell pepper to fiery jalapenos. And, of course, you can layer in other toppings to match your mood, turning this into a fridge cleanout meal as well.
Cheeseburger Casserole
Sometimes, the most nostalgic dishes aren’t full-on copycat for restaurant faves — they’re new dishes inspired by childhood staples. Enter cheeseburger casserole, a classic dish that layers macaroni with seasoned ground beef and melty cheese. This recipe sneaks in some extra burger-inspired flavor with chopped pickles. And, with a total prep and cook time under an hour, it’s ideal for a low-stress Sunday night dinner.
