Instead of picking up takeout, pull one of these make-ahead restaurant copycat recipes from your fridge or freezer. We'll show you how to make soups, casseroles, desserts and more.
17 Make-Ahead Restaurant Copycat Recipes
Updated on Jan. 14, 2022
1/17
Inspired by: Portillo’s Italian Beef Sandwich
Total Time
8 hours 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With only a few ingredients, this roast beef is a snap to throw together. And after cooking all day, the meat is wonderfully tender. —Lauren Adamson, Layton, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 278 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 735mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch.
2/17
Inspired by: Taco Bell’s Grilled Breakfast Burrito
Total Time
25 min
Servings
10 burritos
From the Recipe Creator:
Zap one of these frozen burritos in the microwave and you'll stave off hunger all morning. This recipe is my family’s favorite combo, but I sometimes use breakfast sausage instead of bacon. —Audra Niederman, Aberdeen, South Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 burrito: 376 calories, 20g fat (8g saturated fat), 251mg cholesterol, 726mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein.
3/17
Inspired by: Olive Garden’s Lasagna Classico
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is an old standby when time's limited and guests are expected for dinner. It's a combination of several easy lasagna recipes I have tried over the years. —Mary Grimm, Williamsburg, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 462 calories, 27g fat (12g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 931mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 30g protein.
4/17
Inspired by: Rock Bottom’s Bacon Jalapeno Poppers
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
There’s no faster way to get a party started than with these bacon jalapeno poppers. Make them ahead and bake just before serving. Even the those who are intolerant of hot peppers will love them. —Dawn Onuffer, Crestview, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed pepper half: 66 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
5/17
Creamy Mocha Frozen Dessert
Total Time
20 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Light as a feather, this cool, satisfying dessert is delicious and impressive to serve. It's an excellent dessert to take to a potluck because it can be made ahead and stored in the freezer. —Launa Shoemaker, Landrum, South Carolina
6/17
Inspired by: Golden Corral’s Chicken Potpie
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
2 potpies (8 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the best chicken potpie recipe! Chock-full of chicken, potatoes, peas and corn, this recipe makes two golden pies, so you can serve one at supper and save the other for a busy night. —Karen Johnson, Bakersfield, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 475 calories, 28g fat (14g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 768mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein.
7/17
Inspired by: Starbucks’ Blueberry Muffin
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My Aunt Betty is quite a baker, but I look forward to these mouthwatering blueberry muffin recipe the most. She gives me enough so that I can freeze and enjoy them for weeks. —Sheila Raleigh, Kechi, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 208 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 172mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
8/17
Inspired by: Carrabba’s Italian Grill’s Sausage & Lentil Soup
Total Time
55 min
Servings
10 servings (3-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Lentils are an inexpensive but nutritious power food, and these days, a hot, filling and flavorful family meal at a great price is a real comfort. My husband just loves this soup and it freezes well. —Donna Scarano, East Hanover, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups (calculated without croutons): 314 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 681mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 17g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 2 vegetable.
9/17
Inspired by: IHOP’s Harvest Grain ‘N Nut Pancakes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My kids love homemade banana bread, so why not make it in pancake form? These freeze well for a special breakfast any day. —Ally Billhorn, Wilton, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
2 pancakes: 186 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 392mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
10/17
Inspired By: Boston Market’s Mashed Potatoes
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When it comes to mashed potatoes recipes, this is one of my favorites because they can be made ahead, refrigerated and then popped into the oven just prior to dinnertime. When my grandchildren come for dinner, I have to double this recipe. They love it! —Vivian Bailey, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 301 calories, 10g fat (7g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 313mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 7g protein.
11/17
Inspired by: Texas Roadhouse’s Roadhouse Pulled Pork Sandwich
Total Time
8 hours 50 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to share this dish at potlucks because it can be made ahead, which I especially appreciate during the busy holiday season. The sweet-and-spicy sauce is always a hit. —Martha Anne Carpenter, Mesa, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 536 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 90mg cholesterol, 1304mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 2g fiber), 42g protein.
12/17
Inspired by: Burger King’s French Toast Sticks
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Keep these French toast sticks in the freezer for an instant filling breakfast. Their convenient size makes them ideal for a breakfast buffet. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
3 sticks: 183 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 145mg cholesterol, 251mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
13/17
Inspired by: Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 pretzels
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm always looking for new ways to combine fun flavors, and what goes together better than beer and pretzels? Not much that I can think of. That’s why I put them together into one delicious recipe. —Alyssa Wilhite, Whitehouse, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 pretzel: 288 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 604mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
14/17
Inspired by: Taco Bell’s Beefy 5-Layer Burrito
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love burritos, but the frozen ones are high in salt and chemicals. So I created these. They're wonderful to have on hand for quick dinners or late-night snacks—I've even had them for breakfast! —Laura Winemiller, Delta, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 burrito: 345 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 677mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
15/17
Inspired by: Rock Bottom’s Bacon Chicken Mac ‘N Cheese
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Prep once and feed the family twice when you double this chicken mac and cheese and freeze half of it. I created it for the people I love most, using ingredients they love most. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 586 calories, 37g fat (15g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 889mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
16/17
Inspired By: Cracker Barrel’s Biscuits n’ Gravy
Total Time
45 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Biscuits and gravy are usually prepared separately but served together. I created a way to bake them all at once in this scrumptious casserole. —Nancy Mcinnis, Olympia, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 373 calories, 26g fat (11g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 640mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
17/17
Inspired By: Olive Garden’s Tiramisu
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This variation of the popular Italian dessert is so easy to assemble. It's convenient, too, since you can make it the day before your dinner party or potluck. —Linda Finn, Louisville, Mississippi
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 321 calories, 21g fat (14g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 149mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein.
