Home cooks from all across the nation submitted their best copycat recipes. From comforting mains to boozy ice cream and a seven-layer cheesecake, these winners definitely earned their stripes.
Presenting the Winners from Our Copycat Favorites Contest
1/12
Grand Prize: Inspired by Olive Garden's Fried Lasagna
Total Time
55 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
2 lasagna rolls: 876 calories, 54g fat (19g saturated fat), 195mg cholesterol, 1011mg sodium, 61g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 37g protein.
2/12
1st Place: Inspired by KFC's Coleslaw
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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 coleslaw but sometimes we 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 pre-shredded slaw mix. It is not quite as good as grating it yourself though. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 160 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 421mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein.
3/12
2nd Place: Inspired by Applebee's Southwest Chicken Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I ordered and devoured this salad from Applebee’s three separate times before we finally asked the waitress for the dressing ingredients. She kindly shared the recipe with us, and now I whip up this hearty main-dish salad with its tangy sauce often. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 557 calories, 26g fat (8g saturated fat), 132mg cholesterol, 826mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 45g protein.
4/12
Bourbon Ice Cream
Total Time
40 min
Servings
5 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
The brown sugar in this decadent bourbon ice cream gives a hint of caramel flavor, which complements the bourbon. When the custard is still liquid, before it goes into the ice cream maker, add more or less bourbon to suite your taste. -Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 295 calories, 21g fat (13g saturated fat), 169mg cholesterol, 75mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.
5/12
Most Innovative: Inspired by The Cheesecake Factory's Celebration Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My children were born on the same day five years apart, so I go all out for their celebration. This beauty, with its seven layers, is “sweet!” in more ways than one. The baking and prep is easy, but assembly does take some time, so set aside an afternoon. —Kristyne McDougle, Lorain, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 871 calories, 43g fat (19g saturated fat), 120mg cholesterol, 929mg sodium, 114g carbohydrate (90g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
6/12
Runner-Up: Inspired by Chick-fil-A's Avocado-Lime Ranch Dressing
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
You’ve probably seen a million copycats of Chick-fil-A’s chicken, but I think the chain’s avocado-lime ranch dressing is worth re-creating, too! Oh, and it’s healthier than the original with no added sugar and half the calories. —Kelsey Reddick Smith, Knoxville, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 56 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 109mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fat.
7/12
Runner-Up: Inspired by 5 Guys' Cajun Fries
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Crispy, delicious 5 Guys Cajun Fries are easy to make at home with cajun seasoning! Known for their heaping bag of french fry servings, this burger chain has plenty of devoted fans. Usually deep fried, this air-fried version is better for you. Seasoned with a flavorful blend of pantry spices they are smoky, salty, and sweet taste. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 216 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 563mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.
8/12
Runner-Up: Inspired by Chipotle's Chicken
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Enjoy Chipotle’s smoky, savory chicken from the comfort of your home with this spot-on recipe. I like to prep the protein ahead, reheat it in a skillet until slightly crisp, then toss it into tacos, bowls and burritos. —Kim Tower, Danville, California
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked chicken: 284 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 297mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 fat.
9/12
Runner-Up: Inspired by The Honey Baked Ham Company's Famous Ham
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
At family gatherings, we always go for baked ham. One year, I decided to try my hand at imitating a ham from Honey Baked itself. The best part? After some trial and error, it really did turn out to be an easy recipe. If you have a kitchen torch, try flaming the sugar instead of broiling it. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked ham: 288 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 1192mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein.
10/12
Runner-Up: Inspired by Bakers Square's Easy Honey Mustard Chicken
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Bakers Square, a small midwestern chain, was one of my standby restaurants, but when the nearby location moved, I was left without my favorite dish: Honey Mustard Chicken with mushrooms and onions. Until, of course, I mastered it in my own kitchen. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 563 calories, 35g fat (6g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 548mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 38g protein.
11/12
Runner-Up: Inspired by Houlihan's Shrooms
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I find this starter from Houlihan’s, stuffed with cheese and sprinkled with cracker crumbs, seriously irresistible. The location by me closed, but I was determined to make an equally delicious version at home. Success! I’ve baked, grilled and even broiled these in my toaster oven. —Jo Hart, Flippin, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed mushroom: 95 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 131mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
12/12
Runner-Up: Inspired by Dunkin Donuts' Power Breakfast Sandwich
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This morning-time stack is totally restaurant-worthy. I store my sammies in the freezer, then microwave one as I head out for the day. There’s no speedier—or tastier—breakfast. —Jolene Martinelli, Fremont, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 434 calories, 23g fat (9g saturated fat), 257mg cholesterol, 1026mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 7g fiber), 30g protein.