The Best Copycat Recipes of 2022
Updated: Aug. 14, 2023
This year we've been making our favorite menu items at home—and now you can, too! These are the best copycat recipes of 2022.
Inspired by: Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This creamy, cheesy broccoli soup tastes just like the one served at Panera Bread! My family requests it all the time. You can even make your own homemade bread bowls with the recipe on my blog, Yammie’s Noshery. —Rachel Preus, Marshall, Michigan
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole
Learn how to replicate the best-ever cheesy potato casserole at home. This Cracker Barrel hash brown casserole recipe is as good as the real deal!
Inspired by: Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi
Olive Garden shrimp scampi is made with shrimp, asparagus, tomatoes and angel hair pasta, all tossed with a cream sauce. It’s a simple but elegant dish to make at home.
Inspired by: Culver's Butterburger
It’s no secret that Wisconsinites love their dairy—so much that they sometimes top their burgers with a generous pat of butter.My recipe is a lot like the butter burgers you’ll find in popular restaurants all over the state. —Becky Carver, North Royalton, Ohio —Becky Carver, North Royalton, Ohio
Inspired by: Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
Craving a bowl of creamy fettuccine Alfredo from Olive Garden? Here’s how you can easily make it right at home. Next, learn how to make Olive Garden’s black tie mousse cake.
Inspired by: Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Ever wanted to whip up a batch of Red Lobster’s famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits at home? You can—and it only takes about 30 minutes.
Inspired by: Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets
I developed this recipe to copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets. I knew I had a winner the first time I made them because the whole family fought over who got the last one! For a dipping sauce, combine barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard, then stir in honey to add some sweetness. —Jeni Pittard, Statham, Georgia
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel Meat Loaf
If you’ve never been a fan of meat loaf, we’re sure this Cracker Barrel meat loaf recipe is about to change your mind.
Inspired by: Olive Garden Fried Lasagna
One of my favorite dishes at Olive Garden is their fried lasagna. On a whim, I tried to recreate it at home. After a few tries, I think I got it pretty close to the original. —Jolene Martinelli, Fremont, New Hampshire
Inspired by: Nothing Bundt Cake Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cake
Follow this copycat Nothing Bundt Cake recipe to make the bakery’s iconic “chocolate chocolate chip cake.” The steps are simple—and the result is delectable!
Inspired by: Panda Express Orange Chicken
We enjoy these tangy nuggets so many ways—over noodles or rice, in sandwiches, even on top of lettuce and cabbage. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Inspired by: Panera Mac and Cheese
This copycat Panera mac and cheese recipe comes pretty close to the real deal. Serve it in a bread bowl to get the full cafe experience!
Inspired by: Texas Roadhouse Butter
Hold the steak, hold the loaded baked potato and hold the Cactus Blossom. The real reason we go to Texas Roadhouse is for their fresh rolls and creamy whipped Texas Roadhouse butter.
Inspired by: Chipotle Chicken
Want to learn the secret to making chicken just like Chipotle? We spilled all the beans (black and pinto).We adore these other copycat chicken recipes, too.
Inspired by: Panera Bread Bread Bowl
Recreate a perfectly cozy at-home version of Panera’s famous bread bowl with this copycat recipe. Fill it with your favorite soup, salad or mac and cheese! Looking for more bread recipes? Try our favorite Domino’s cheesy bread recipe.
Inspired by: The Cheesecake Factory Original Cheesecake
One bite of this copycat cheesecake recipe from The Cheesecake Factory will make you feel like you took a slice straight from the pastry case.
Inspired by: Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana
I let my young son pick out seed packets and he chose kale, which grew like crazy. This hearty soup helped make good use of it and rivals a restaurant version that we love. —Michelle Babbie, Malone, New York
Inspired by: The Cheesecake Factory Chicken Piccata
When the craving hits, indulge in a saucy plate of The Cheesecake Factory Chicken Piccata right at home thanks to this easy step-by-step guide for a copycat recipe. If you like this, you must try a copycat recipe of The Cheesecake Factory’s cheeseburger egg rolls.
Inspired by: Olive Garden Breadsticks
This copycat Olive Garden breadsticks recipe can be on your table in less than an hour. Plus, just like the restaurant, there’s no limit to how many you can eat!
Inspired by: Kentucky Fried Chicken Coleslaw
We love going to Kentucky Fried Chicken. Although we enjoy the chicken, we actually go for the coleslaw. We buy several pints at a time. I make several versions of cole slaw but we sometime just want this. I tried for several years before getting this recipe right. I think I have figured it out now.If you are in a hurry get a bag of the preshredded slaw mix. It is not quite as good as grating it yourself though. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Inspired by: Krispy Kreme Glazed Doughnut
Learn how to re-create the magic of your favorite glazed doughnuts in your very own kitchen with this simple copycat Krispy Kreme doughnut recipe.
Inspired by: Chick-fil-A Sauce
This simple Chick-fil-A sauce recipe calls for only four ingredients—and tastes exactly like the chain’s secret sauce.
Inspired by: Starbucks Iced Lemon Pound Cake
My family always asks for this love-me-tender lemon loaf cake. Sometimes, I shake things up and make cupcakes with the batter. So awesome for brunch! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota
Inspired by: Little Caesar’s Pretzel Crust Pizza
In our house, we love pizza and pretzel bread! When Little Caesar’s came out with their pretzel crust pizza, we fell in love but also knew it was unrealistic to be buying it all the time. The next best thing was to make it ourselves, and it came out even better than the restaurant’s version! This thick-crusted copycat pizza is bound to blow your socks off! Hope you enjoy! —Mary Lou Timpson, Centennial Park, Arizona
Inspired by: Starbucks Egg Bites
You can substitute Gruyere cheese for the Swiss and ham for the bacon, or add in small-cut veggies to these copycat Starbucks egg bites. I also like to bake these in small Mason jars for fun single-portion presentations. Serve with avocado slices and fresh fruit for a healthy breakfast. —Maria Morelli, West Kelowna, British Columbia. Next, check out our favorite healthy copycat recipes.
Inspired by: Lofthouse Cookies
Lofthouse cookies have been around since 1994 and we’re still obsessed. Use this Lofthouse cookie recipe to make soft, cakey bites of heaven at home!
Inspired by: Cheesecake Factory Pasta da Vinci
I fell in love with this dish at the restaurant and experimented until I could duplicate it at home. What’s so nice is that the sauce can be made ahead and be refrigerated or frozen. Now you can have a delicious copycat Cheesecake Factory pasta da Vinci on a weeknight. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Inspired by: Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
You can replicate the sweet, squishy, everyone’s-favorite cinnamon roll—including that incredible Cinnabon frosting. Just follow our copycat Cinnabon recipe!
Inspired by: The Cheesecake Factory Steak Diane
Forget the cheesecake! Let’s talk about The Cheesecake Factory’s famous steak Diane. Try it with a side of mashed potatoes.
Inspired by: Heinz 57 Sauce
This is our homemade version of our favorite steak sauce. We use it on everything from steaks, chicken, pork, burgers, or to dip our fries in! Great for basting grilled chicken, or Bbq ribs! Also good to add into a marinade. —Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas
Inspired by: Cafe Rio Pork Bowls
My friends are big fans of Cafe Rio’s sweet pork tacos, so I came up with this version to eat in the comfort of our own homes. Serve the pork in flour tortillas or taco shells, or enjoy it on its own. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Inspired by: McDonald’s Shamrock Shake
The Shamrock Shake is usually available in February and March. Happily, this frosty milkshake is easy to re-create at home any time of year.
Inspired by: Bakers Square Honey Mustard Chicken
My absolute favorite dish at Bakers Square is the Honey Mustard Chicken with mushrooms and onions. Unfortunately, the Bakers Square restaurants near me relocated. So, I devised this version which is quick and easy.—Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Inspired by: Rib Shack Mashed Potatoes
Idaho is well known for being the potato state—even our license plates say “Famous Potatoes”! This is my version of the scrumptious smashers that are served at a local barbecue joint. Everyone who tries them there begs for the recipe, which the place won’t give out, so I made my own copycat version. I think it comes close to the original. These can be made ahead and kept warm in the slow cooker. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Inspired by: Olive Garden Five-Cheese Ziti al Forno
After having the five-cheese ziti at Olive Garden, I tried to make my own version of it—and I think I got pretty close. I always double this when I’m making it and freeze the second one for another meal. —Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, California
Inspired by: Starbucks Pumpkin Bread
Skip the line and bake Starbucks pumpkin bread in your own kitchen. This copycat recipe may be even better than the original! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired by: Houlihan’s Copycat Shrooms
I enjoyed this appetizer at Houlihan’s restaurant, and had them every time I went. When the restaurant closed in my area, I was determined to recreate it at home. These might even be better than theirs! Besides baking them, I have also cooked via a grill or toaster oven set on Broil. Consistently delicious, and enjoyed by everyone that has tried them.—Jo Hart, Flippin, Arkansas
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel Chicken n’ Dumplins
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.Want to try out more recipes? Here’s our copycat Cracker Barrel broccoli cheddar chicken recipe.
Inspired by: Humphry Slocombe “Secret Breakfast” Ice Cream
Humphry Slocombe, a small San Francisco chain, serves scoops of Secret Breakfast—a rich and boozy vanilla-based ice cream. Even (and especially) if the shop isn’t in your corner of the country, consider giving the recipe a try! —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California
Inspired by: Noodles & Company Penne Rosa
I reworked this recipe from an original that called for vodka and heavy whipping cream. My friends and family had a hard time believing a sauce this rich, flavorful and creamy could be light. —Margaret Wilson, Hemet, California
