As featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, the famous mac and cheese from Sweetie Pie's.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Copycat Recipes & Restaurant Favorites
What are copy cat recipes? These are secret recipes from restaurants (or developed by home cooks to taste similar) and homemade versions of packaged brand products you find in the grocery store. With these recipes you can prepare your favorite restaurant dishes and name brand foods in your own kitchen! CDKitchen features some of the most popular restaurant and copycat clones.

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Sweetie Pie's Macaroni And Cheese
Outback Orange Marmalade Sauce
This recipe is for a copycat version of the popular Outback Steakhouse orange marmalade sauce. Made with just four simple ingredients, this sauce is perfect for dipping...
Time: under 30 minutes
Patrick Swayze's Penne With Chicken And Sun Dried Tomatoes
Patrick Swayze is famous for his dance moves in Dirty Dancing and for this creamy chicken and penne pasta dish.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Red Lobster's Shrimp Pasta
Made with dried basil, olive oil, garlic, shrimp, clam juice or chicken broth, white wine, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, parsley
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Applebee's Honey Pepper Sauce For Salmon
Try this recipe to recreate Applebee's delicious grilled salmon served with a tangy honey sauce.
Method: outdoor grill, stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Every day we send out a featured recipe and our editor's favorite picks. Don't miss out!
Outback Steakhouse Honey Wheat Bushman Bread
Craving that warm, sweet bread from Outback Steakhouse? You'll love this easy Honey Wheat Bushman Bread recipe. With just a bread machine and a few...
Method: bread machine, oven
Time: 2-5 hours
El Torito Salsa
This version of the restaurant's famous salsa contains both canned and fresh tomatoes, onion, jalapenos, serranos, cumin, oregano, and fresh cilantro.
Time: under 30 minutes
Ann Landers' Best Ever Lemon Pie And Meringue
Ann Landers was a popular advice columnist who wrote for the Chicago Sun-Times. This lemon pie is truly the best of the best. The perfect mixture of tart...
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Underwood's Cafeteria Cherry Cobbler
This cherry cobbler recipe was always a favorite at Underwood's Cafeteria. It's a southern-style recipe for some good "down home" cooking.
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Red Lobster's Grilled Rock Lobster
Something as exquisite as lobster tail doesn't need to be complicated to be good. In fact, sometimes the simpler the better. A squeeze of lemon, a brush with some...
Method: outdoor grill
Time: under 30 minutes
Bennigan's Monte Cristo
Prepare to be initiated into the delicious monte cristo world of fried turkey, ham, and cheese sandwiches topped with powdered sugar and raspberry jam.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Pasta House Company Fettuccine Alfredo
It's tough to beat pasta for a quick dinner. This pasta with half and half, butter and parmesan doesn't mess around. Use good quality parmesan and prepare to...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Famous Dave's Creamy Sweet & Sour Coleslaw
Why come up with your own 'slaw when it's already been perfected? A bit of horseradish for bite, some sugar to balance it out- it's famous for a reason, so...
Time: 30-60 minutes
Houston's Buttermilk Garlic Dressing
This buttermilk garlic dressing made with sour cream and mayo adds the creamy touch you're looking for.
Time: 2-5 hours
Yoshida's Sesame-Crusted Salmon
Mr. Yoshida's sauces are famous for their Asian marinade's and sauces. Dress up some salmon with their sauce (or other brand) and a few other ingredients.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: under 30 minutes
TGI Friday's Jack Daniel's Sauce
TGI Friday's and Jack Daniel's got together and came up with an amazing sauce. The whiskey and brown sugar help balance the flavors of this hearty sauce.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Carrabba's Spicy Sausage Lentil Soup
Lentils, sausage, and a veggie-packed broth make up this copycat recipe for Carrabba's famous lentil soup.
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Old Spaghetti Factory Original Clam Sauce
The Old Spaghetti Factory is known for its delicious clam sauce. This recipe is a classic example of the restaurant's cuisine. Serve it over your favorite...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
El Torito's Sweet Corn Cake
This sweet corn cake, made with butter, corn kernels, and whipped cream, is a delicious take on a classic recipe that delivers a hint of sweetness and corn flavor.
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Bonefish Grill's Coconut Shrimp
The sauce is key for these crispy, coconut-coated morsels. Sweet mango with a bite of jalapeno and a splash of Thai fish sauce make up the delightful dipping sauce.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Joe's Crab Shack's Etouffee
Etouffee is a Cajun comfort staple. Crawfish or shrimp in a creamy sauce of celery, onion and mushroom soup poured over a scoop of rice pilaf, just like Joe's Crab Shack...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Bob Evans' Peanut Butter Pie
Made with crushed peanuts, vanilla pudding mix, skim milk, peanut butter, whipping cream, pie shell, chocolate syrup, Cool Whip
Time: 2-5 hours
Chi Chi's Sweet Corn Cake
Recreate the delightful taste of Chi Chi's sweet corn cake at home. Whether served as a side dish or an appetizer, it's sure to bring a touch of restaurant-quality flavor to...
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Mueller's Classic Lasagna
Mueller's, a well known brand of pasta, created this classic lasagna recipe made with layers of pasta, beef, sauce, and cheese.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 1-2 hours
P.F. Chang's Spicy Chicken
This popular dish from P.F. Chang's is made with stir-fried chicken that is tossed with a spicy sauce and served over rice or noodles.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Famous Dave's Shakin' The Shack Potato Salad
Potato salad is a must for picnics and BBQs. This copycat recipe is extra creamy with mayo, sour cream, and hard boiled eggs and has a bit of tang from...
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Red Lobster's Parrot Bay Coconut Shrimp and Sauce
Love the coconut shrimp that you get at Red Lobster? Now you can make it at home with this knock-off recipe, including their famous pina colada dipping...
Method: deep fryer, stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Kenny Rogers' Corn Muffins
These cornbread muffins bring Southern charm right to your kitchen. With the perfect balance of sweetness and texture, these muffins will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Worcestershire Sauce (Without Anchovy)
This is a Worcestershire sauce without anchovies for those who don't like or can't have anchovies. It is a great alternative to the store-bought version.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Red Lion Coney Sauce
Everything a good Coney sauce should be--beefy, tangy, and with a good kick from chili powder and tabasco. Don't forget the extra chopped onions to top off your dogs.
Method: stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Applebee's Baby Back Ribs
Baby got back! The key to doing ribs like Applebee's is all in the sauce, a classic BBQ blend made with tart cider vinegar, sweet brown sugar, and a tomato ketchup base.
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Cheesecake Factory's Mashed Potatoes
Follow the Cheesecake Factory's lead and add a touch of horseradish in your mashed potatoes. The spicy bite along with creaminess from the gouda makes a marvelous...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Applebee's Honey Glaze
Made with cider vinegar, beef stock, soy sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, vegetable oil, whiskey, liquid smoke, Tabasco sauce, garlic
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Al's Diner Buttermilk Pancakes
Al makes a mean pancake! Eggs beat into buttermilk are the key to these fabulous flapjacks.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Baby Carrots
You might think that Cracker Barrel has some crazy secret ingredient that makes their carrot side dish so delicious. It is a secret ingredient but it's not...
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Morton's Caesar Salad
With crisp romaine, parmesan cheese, and crunchy croutons covered in a classic Caesar dressing it's no wonder why Caesar is everyone's favorite go-to salad.
Time: under 30 minutes
Bertucci's Nolio Pizza
A white pizza with a full palate of flavors. Prosciutto, sauteed onions, and lemon-pepper cream make your next pizza night an artisanal affair.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Lyndon Johnson's Favorite Barbecue Sauce
The 36th president was a native Texan so he knew his way around barbecue sauce. Try this simple sauce on chicken or ribs.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Ponderosa's Steak Sauce
This copycat steak sauce from Ponderosa Steakhouse adds their signature slightly sweet, slightly tangy flavor to your favorite cuts of steak.
Time: under 30 minutes
Applebee's Apple Chimi Cheesecake
Cheesecake and apple pie filling are sealed inside flour tortillas and deep fried. Tastes just like Applebee's famous dessert!
Method: deep fryer, microwave
Time: 2-5 hours
Butterfingers' Restaurant Chicken Salad
Diced chicken and celery mixed with mayo, dill, and chives forms a crunchy and creamy salad that you can serve straight up or on a flaky croissant.
Time: under 30 minutes
Carrabba's Chocolate Dream
Copy the popular chocolatey dessert from Carraba's. It's made up of chocolate mousse sandwiched between layers of kahlua soaked brownies. Talk about "Death by...
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Benihana Ginger Salad Dressing
Homemade dressing is the easiest way to give your salads an upgrade. Benihana's ginger dressing works on everything from a simple spinach side salad to a full-out dinner...
Time: under 30 minutes
Chili's Steak Fajitas
If you love the steak fajitas at Chili's but don't want to leave the house (or spend the money), then this recipe is for you! It's a clone of the popular dish, and it tastes just...
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Black-Eyed Pea Baked Squash
Made with black pepper, onion, yellow squash, eggs, bread crumbs, butter or margarine, sugar, salt
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Denny's Chicken Fried Steak
How does Denny's do it? Marinated cubed steaks are coated in baking mix get a quick fry in oil and butter before a trip to the oven to finish them off.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: over 5 hours
Olive Garden's Tuscan Garlic Chicken
Enjoy your Olive Garden favorite, Tuscan garlic chicken, at home. This delicious dish combines chicken, garlic, red bell pepper, and spinach, served with penne...
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Clam Box Fried Clams
The fried clams from the Clam Box are a signature dish at the restaurant, and are served with a side of tartar sauce for dipping. They have a unique hint of sweetness that makes...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Hot Dog Shoppe Hot Dog Sauce
This unique sauce is made with a blend of ingredients that sets it apart from other Coney Island-style sauces. It's perfect for slathering on your favorite hot dogs.
Method: stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Bennigan's Honey Mustard Salad Dressing
Looking for a dressing that's both creamy and zesty? This honey mustard salad dressing from Bennigan's whispers sweet nothings to your greens.
Time: under 30 minutes
Ah, the unassuming envelope of onion soup mix. It's more than just for onion soup (or dip). It adds tremendous flavor (and convenience) in all these recipes.
Make your mornings a little less hectic with these overnight breakfast recipes. Prep the night before and enjoy a warm, comforting meal in the morning.
This iconic whiskey is a "Jack of all trades" when it comes to cooking. Toss it in some pasta, as a savory dipping sauce, and even bake it into something sweet.


























































