Ordering in is tempting, but the cost can add up quickly. A night of Orange Chicken or Shrimp Lo Mein for the family often leaves your wallet lighter than you planned. Making these dishes at home not only saves money but also gives you fresher ingredients and bigger portions.
These recipes bring the flavor of your favorite restaurants to your own kitchen without the high price tag. From a pot of hearty Bolognese to crispy Bang Bang Chicken from the air fryer, each meal proves you do not have to spend extra to enjoy food that feels like a treat.
1. Sesame Chicken
Sesame Chicken is one of the most popular Chinese-American takeout dishes, and it is surprisingly easy to make at home. Juicy chicken is coated in a sweet, sticky sauce with just the right amount of crunch. The toasted sesame seeds add a nutty flavor that makes every bite irresistible. Serve it with rice or broccoli for the full restaurant-style experience.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Chicken
2. Mongolian Beef
Mongolian Beef is tender flank steak in a glossy brown sauce with garlic, ginger, and scallions. It’s the kind of dish people crave when they think of Chinese takeout. The homemade version is less oily but just as bold and satisfying. Serve it over rice for a dinner that beats delivery.
Get the Recipe: Mongolian Beef
3. Orange Chicken
Orange Chicken is a takeout classic known for its sweet, tangy glaze. Crispy bites of chicken are tossed in a sticky citrus sauce that hits the perfect balance of bright and savory. This homemade version is fresher and lighter than restaurant versions without losing the flavor you love. Pair it with steamed rice for the ultimate fakeout takeout.
Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken
4. Italian Drunken Noodles
Italian Drunken Noodles combine wide pasta ribbons with sausage, peppers, and a tomato-based sauce that is rich and comforting. It has the heartiness of classic Italian-American restaurant fare with a fun twist. The dish comes together quickly, making it just as weeknight-friendly as ordering in. Bold flavors and fresh herbs make it taste like a chef’s special.
Get the Recipe: Italian Drunken Noodles
5. Shrimp Lo Mein
Shrimp Lo Mein is a Chinese takeout favorite with tender noodles, crisp vegetables, and juicy shrimp tossed in a savory sauce. It comes together quickly, making it just as fast as ordering delivery. The homemade version is lighter and fresher, with all the flavor you expect from your favorite restaurant. A perfect weeknight dinner that tastes like a splurge.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Lo Mein
6. Thai Red Curry Chicken
Thai Red Curry Chicken is packed with layers of flavor from coconut milk, curry paste, and fresh vegetables. The chicken simmers in the sauce until tender, absorbing the spicy-sweet flavors. It feels like something you’d order from your favorite Thai restaurant but is surprisingly easy to make at home. Serve it with jasmine rice for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Thai Red Curry Chicken
7. Korean Beef Bowl
Korean Beef Bowls are a quick and flavorful way to enjoy bold flavors without the wait. Ground beef is sautéed with garlic, soy sauce, and ginger, then served over rice. The dish is savory, slightly sweet, and totally satisfying. It’s takeout speed with homemade comfort.
Get the Recipe: Korean Beef Bowl
8. Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp Scampi feels like a restaurant indulgence, but it is simple enough to make at home. Plump shrimp are sautéed in garlic, butter, and white wine, then tossed with pasta. The result is a silky, flavorful dish that tastes like it came from a high-end Italian menu. It’s fast, elegant, and guaranteed to impress.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi
9. Bolognese
Bolognese Pasta is a rich Italian classic with a slow-simmered meat sauce that clings to every strand of pasta. The sauce is deeply savory with layers of tomato, wine, and herbs, making it taste like something straight from an Italian trattoria. It’s comforting, hearty, and perfect for when you want a meal that feels both rustic and refined. A dish that proves homemade pasta night can beat takeout any time.
Get the Recipe: Bolognese
10. Fried Rice
Fried Rice is the ultimate “better than takeout” recipe because it uses leftovers and turns them into something crave-worthy. Each grain of rice gets coated in savory sauce and mixes with veggies and egg. Add chicken, shrimp, or pork to make it a complete meal. It’s fast, flexible, and family-approved.
Get the Recipe: Fried Rice
11. Bang Bang Chicken
Bang Bang Chicken is crispy, saucy, and every bit as addictive as the restaurant version. Each bite is coated in a creamy, spicy sauce that keeps you coming back for more. This lighter homemade version is cooked in the air fryer, so you still get that crunchy texture without deep frying. It is quick, fun, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Chicken
12. Cajun Chicken Pasta
Cajun Chicken Pasta is creamy, spicy, and full of bold flavor. Blackened chicken adds smokiness while the sauce is rich and comforting. It’s a dish you’d expect to see at a chain restaurant but can make in your own kitchen in under 30 minutes. Perfect for when you want something hearty with a little kick.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Chicken Pasta
13. Tuscan Shrimp
Tuscan Shrimp brings creamy garlic sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach together in a pasta dish that feels like something from a trattoria. The shrimp cook quickly, soaking up all the rich flavors of the sauce. It’s indulgent yet approachable, with just the right balance of creaminess and freshness. A great option when you want restaurant flavor without leaving home.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Shrimp
14. Honey Garlic Chicken
Honey Garlic Chicken is sticky, sweet, and savory — the kind of dish that keeps you going back for more. The sauce caramelizes beautifully on the chicken, creating a glossy glaze. It’s one of those recipes that tastes fancy but only takes a few minutes to pull together. Better than takeout and easier on your wallet.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken
15. New York Strip Steak
A perfectly cooked New York Strip Steak is the kind of dinner that makes you forget all about pricey steakhouses. Juicy, tender, and rich with flavor, it’s pan-seared to get that golden crust and finished with butter for a restaurant-quality touch. Pair it with simple sides like roasted potatoes or a crisp salad, and you’ve got a meal that’s both elegant and easy.
Get the Recipe: New York Strip Steak
