If you love takeout but want to save some cash, these 27 dinners are perfect for you. They taste just as good as your favorite restaurant meals, but you can make them right at home. No fancy skills are needed, just simple ingredients and easy steps. Get ready to impress your family with these tasty dishes that will make everyone think you ordered takeout.
Poached Orange Salmon. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Italian Meatball Soup
Italian meatball soup brings together juicy meatballs and rich broth for a satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare, making it feel like a cozy takeout favorite. This dish is hearty and comforting, perfect for busy evenings when everyone needs a warm meal. It highlights how simple home-cooked food can be, turning an ordinary night into a delicious dinner experience.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Thai Chicken Chili
Thai chicken chili offers a spicy and flavorful mix that can be prepared quickly, making it ideal for busy nights when takeout cravings hit. The comforting combination of chicken and spices fills everyone up and satisfies those hearty meal desires. This recipe proves that making tasty dinners at home can be both easy and rewarding.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Chili
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Chicken egg roll in a bowl captures the delicious flavors of takeout without the frying, providing a quick and healthy meal that rivals favorite restaurant dishes. Fresh veggies and tender chicken come together in no time, making this dish perfect for those nights when comfort food is needed fast. This recipe ensures that enjoying tasty dinners at home can be simple and stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Caprese Panini
The Caprese panini combines fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil, creating a burst of flavor that’s ready in just minutes, reminiscent of a gourmet sandwich shop. This sandwich feels special while being straightforward to prepare, making it a fantastic choice for a quick dinner. It showcases how easy it is to whip up impressive meals at home, ensuring everyone leaves the table satisfied.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Asian Inspired Turkey Burgers
Asian-inspired turkey burgers add an exciting twist to a classic meal, bringing bold flavors to the table that can easily compete with takeout. Quick to make and packed with taste, these burgers come together easily, allowing for stress-free family dinners. This recipe highlights how simple and delicious weeknight meals can be when creativity meets convenience.
Get the Recipe: Asian Inspired Turkey Burgers
Poached Orange Salmon
Poached orange salmon cooks in just 30 minutes, making it a fantastic option for quick dinners that feel upscale, similar to a fine dining experience. The sweet and tangy broth pairs beautifully with the salmon, turning a simple meal into something elegant. This easy recipe shows that delicious dinners can be made at home without much effort, making weeknight cooking enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Semi-homemade chicken empanadas are quick to prepare, combining rotisserie chicken and store-bought crust for a delightful meal that doesn’t take hours to make, reminiscent of favorite takeout snacks. These tasty pastries are easy to customize, ensuring everyone finds something they love. This recipe is a fantastic way to impress family and friends while keeping dinner simple and enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Cashew Chicken
Cashew chicken brings tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and colorful veggies together in a dish that feels like something straight from a restaurant menu. It’s easy to prepare and offers a satisfying meal that’s packed with flavor, perfect for busy evenings. This recipe highlights how quickly a tasty dinner can be created, making weeknight cooking a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken
Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken
Slow cooker tomato lime chicken cooks itself with minimal effort, allowing busy cooks to focus on other things while dinner simmers away, creating aromas that could rival takeout. The flavorful combination of ingredients fills the house with delicious scents, making it hard to resist. This easy recipe simplifies mealtime, proving that great dinners can be ready with little fuss.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken
Pesto Salmon
Pesto salmon is a vibrant dish that requires minimal prep, making it an excellent choice for those hectic nights when time is short but flavor is key. Packed with taste and color, it transforms a simple dinner into something memorable that could easily be mistaken for a restaurant dish. This easy recipe shows how anyone can create a satisfying meal at home without stress, ensuring that delicious food is always within reach.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Honey Glazed Chicken
Honey glazed chicken is a tasty dish that makes any night feel special without a lot of work, reminiscent of sweet and savory favorites from takeout menus. The combination of flavors creates a meal that’s sure to impress everyone at the table, making it a quick and satisfying option. This easy recipe highlights how satisfying dinners can be created quickly, making it perfect for busy households.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Asparagus goat cheese pizza offers a fresh twist on pizza night, standing out with its unique flavors and quick prep time, much like a gourmet pizza parlor. This dish provides an easy way to enjoy a delicious meal at home, allowing for a delightful change from ordinary dinners. This simple recipe ensures that impressive meals can be made effortlessly, making weeknight cooking enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Semi-homemade chicken enchiladas are cheesy, delicious, and quick to prepare, making them a family favorite that rivals any restaurant enchilada. Using shredded chicken cuts down on prep time while still delivering a meal that feels gourmet. This recipe shows that anyone can create satisfying dinners at home without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Kung Pao chicken salad takes leftover chicken and transforms it into a bold, crunchy dish that’s quick to whip up, offering flavors reminiscent of favorite takeout salads. The tangy dressing and fresh ingredients create a satisfying meal, perfect for those evenings when time is tight. This easy recipe proves that delicious and healthy dinners can be made effortlessly, making it a smart choice for any weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Weeknight lasagna roll-ups provide all the classic flavors of lasagna in a quicker, simpler form that’s perfect for busy days when cravings for comfort food strike. These cheesy and saucy rolls come together in just 30 minutes, offering a comforting meal without the hassle of traditional recipes. This easy recipe shows that anyone can create impressive dinners at home, turning an ordinary night into something special.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Mexican skillet quinoa is a nutritious and hearty meal that combines black beans, corn, and spices in one pan for easy cooking, making it a fantastic option that feels satisfying like takeout. This dish ensures quick prep and cleanup, perfect for hectic nights when time is limited. Serving this wholesome recipe guarantees a satisfying dinner that everyone will enjoy, proving that tasty meals can be simple and quick.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Pulled Pork
Pulled pork made in an Instant Pot is a fantastic filling dinner option that requires minimal effort to prepare, making it feel special like a barbecue feast. The tender, flavorful meat can be served in various ways, adding versatility to any meal. This simple recipe highlights how easy it is to create delicious meals at home, ensuring that busy nights can still include great food.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork
Tomato Basil Bisque
Tomato basil bisque is a comforting soup that comes together quickly, making it perfect for any weeknight meal, with flavors that remind you of cozy restaurants. The blend of fresh tomatoes and cream creates a satisfying dish that warms the soul. This easy recipe showcases how simple it can be to enjoy delicious homemade food, making every meal feel like a chef’s special creation.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Shortcut chicken salad combines juicy chicken with crisp veggies for a refreshing meal that’s quick and easy to prepare, reminiscent of lighter takeout options. It works well for lunch or dinner, keeping everyone full and satisfied without feeling heavy. This recipe shows that tasty meals can be simple to make, making it a great option for busy days.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Honey Habanero Tacos
Honey habanero tacos deliver bold flavors that are easy to prepare, making them a standout choice for any weeknight meal that satisfies cravings for something exciting. The mix of sweet honey and spicy habanero creates a vibrant dish that feels special while being straightforward to make. This recipe highlights how delicious dinners can be crafted quickly, impressing everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Kefta Kebabs
Kefta kebabs are smoky and flavorful, cooking up quickly for busy evenings when time is tight, perfect for those cravings for takeout-style meals. The seasoned ground meat is shaped and grilled, offering a tasty meal that’s great served on pita or alone. This easy recipe ensures that dinner can be both fast and delicious, making home-cooked meals feel special without complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Chicken Taco Wraps
Chicken taco wraps are a quick and tasty option that brings flavor and fun to the dinner table, reminiscent of favorite takeout wraps. They make excellent use of leftover chicken and come together quickly for an easy meal that satisfies. This recipe shows that great food can be simple and enjoyable, turning any night into something memorable.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Wraps
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Tuna and tomato pasta is a quick dinner that takes just about 25 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for busy nights when you crave something satisfying. The light flavors blend beautifully, creating a meal that pleases everyone from kids to adults and feels like a comforting restaurant dish. This easy recipe demonstrates that cooking at home can be both simple and impressive, ensuring a satisfying meal is always possible.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Cheesy beef and rice casserole is a hearty meal that’s easy to make, satisfying the whole family with flavors that feel like a home-cooked takeout option. The combination of ground beef, rice, and melted cheese creates a filling dish that feels special. This straightforward recipe highlights how quickly great meals can come together, ensuring everyone leaves the table happy and full.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Shredded BBQ chicken made in an Instant Pot is a flexible dinner option that’s perfect for busy weeknights, adding a tasty touch to any meal. Whether served on salads, sandwiches, or over rice, this flavorful dish makes any dinner feel special. This easy recipe showcases how planning dinner can be simple while still delivering on taste, making it a favorite for families.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken tortilla soup is a satisfying meal that comes together quickly using leftover chicken and pantry staples, bringing a comforting taste similar to takeout soups. This dish fills everyone up while requiring little effort, showcasing how easy it can be to create a delicious dinner. It serves as a reminder that great food can be simple and enjoyable, making any weeknight special.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Spicy Tuna Rolls
Spicy tuna rolls are a fun and tasty way to enjoy sushi at home in just 30 minutes, using canned tuna for a quick, budget-friendly dinner that satisfies cravings. Rolling the sushi becomes an engaging activity for everyone, adding a touch of excitement to dinner. This easy recipe allows for delicious flavors to shine without the need for takeout, making weeknight meals special.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Rolls