16 Copycat Recipes For Healthier and Cheaper Dinners
If you love to eat out but hate the hefty price tag that comes along with it, then these copycat recipes are just what you need. They provide you with the same flavors and textures, but since you’re making them at home, you can save a ton of money all while enjoying healthier meals. It’s really a win-win situation. So here are sixteen of our favorite copycat dishes you can whip up when those cravings hit.
1. Sweet Potato Irish Colcannon
This Sweet Potato Irish Colcannon is your mashed potatoes made healthy with sweet potatoes, kale, and leeks. It’s so creamy, flavorful, comforting, and filling, and you’ve got some greens in there too.
2. Homemade Lasagna
You’ll forget about take-out with this cheesy Homemade Lasagna. It only takes 20 minutes of prep time, and the rest of the work is done in the oven.
3. Sesame Chicken
Sesame Chicken is delicious paired with some rice and either steamed or stir-fried veggies. Make extra and freeze for an easy future meal.
4. Nacho Fries
Nacho Fries are a delicious combination of French fries and nachos. Crisp and tender fries smothered in cheese sauce and all your favorite toppings. You’re welcome.
5. Skillet Taco Salad
This easy-to-make skillet Taco Salad is a fun family meal. Use small skillets so everyone can top their salad with their favorite toppings. This dish is a definite crowd pleaser, but also perfect for a dinner for one or two people.
6. Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Indian food can be a heady experience thanks to all those delicious spices. Many people who enjoy Indian are familiar with butter chicken this Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a wonderful make-at-home version that definitely saves money and truly delivers on flavor.
7. Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
Seafood tends to be very pricy in restaurants. So if you want to try making it cheaper at home, these Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas are not only more affordable than restaurant food but also easy to make.
8. Pork Fried Rice
If Pork Fried Rice is on your list of take-out favorites, you won’t regret making it at home instead. This dish has all the flavor without any of the MSG. You’ll definitely want seconds.
9. Sheet Pan Fajitas
You just can’t get any easier than a sheet pan dinner. Get these Sheet Pn Fajitas in the oven, and then prep any toppings you want. And don’t forget to warm up the tortillas.
10. Air Fryer Falafel
Air frying enthusiasts understand how great it is to be able to put together a great meal in that one little basket. This Air Fryer Falafel recipe is quick, easy, and definitely a one-basket meal. Serve with some flatbread, hummus, and some fresh veggies for a complete meal.
11. Pork Carnitas
Nobody argues when dinner practically cooks itself. And these Pork Carnitas do just that. Filled with authentic, simple flavors, everyone will enjoy wrapping this up in a warm tortilla.
12. Shrimp Pad Thai
If you love Shrimp Pad Thai, you’ll love the homemade version even more. It’s delicious and filling, and you won’t be hungry an hour after you’ve eaten. In fact, this dish is actually pretty healthy for you!
13. Chicken Ropa Vieja
This traditional Cuban recipe for Chicken Ropa Vieja has all the Cuban flavors you love with none of the additives you get in restaurant food. It’s simple to put together, and you won’t even notice how healthy it actually is. It’s really that good!
14. Easy Orange Chicken
While this dish is not actually native to China, Americans love a big serving of orange chicken. And who can blame us? But better still is when you make it at home without the MSG or other additives that tend to plague take-out meals. This Easy Orange Chicken is a great way to enjoy your favorite take-out without the bloating and headaches that can often come with it when you are sensitive to those types of ingredients.
15. Spring Rolls
Nothing beats a fresh, homemade Spring Roll. All those fresh veggies, noodles, and mint leaves wrapped up in a thin rice wrapper make for a very healthy lunch or dinner without ever sacrificing flavor. Make a quick and easy peanut sauce for dipping, and you’ve got a very healthy, incredibly delicious, and surprisingly filling meal.
16. Vegetable Egg Foo Young
Vegetable Egg Foo Young is a classic go-to take-out food. Delicious egg-based pancakes drenched in a flavorful sauce are never a bad choice. But as with a lot of Asian take-out, it can have a ton of MSG and other additives added to it. So, making it at home is a tasty and fun way to avoid that.
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While You’re Cooking, Prep Breakfast For Tomorrow Too. It Only Takes 5 Minutes!
Prepping overnight oats the night before is a fantastic way to ensure that your morning runs smoothly. These delicious oatmeal recipes are prepped in just 5 minutes. In fact, you can even make homemade oatmeal packets with these recipes, so all you have to do is grab a packet and get it in the fridge.
This originally appeared on The Gracious Pantry.