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Inspired by: Panera Bread Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad
My family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan 2 / 30
Inspired by: Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
My biscuits won the prize for best quick bread at my county fair. One of the judges liked them so much, she asked for the recipe! These buttery, savory biscuits go with just about anything. —Gloria Jarrett, Loveland, OhioWhip up one of these copycat Chinese takeout recipes for dinner tonight.
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Inspired by: Noodles and Company Penne Rosa
I reworked this recipe from an original that called for vodka and heavy whipping cream. My friends and family had a hard time believing a sauce this rich, flavorful and creamy could be light. —Margaret Wilson, Hemet, California 4 / 30
Inspired by: KFC The Original Recipe
If you've wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana 5 / 30
Inspired by: Chipotle Guacamole and Chips
Nothing is better than freshly made guacamole when you're eating something spicy. It is easy to whip together in a matter of minutes and quickly tames anything that's too hot. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas 6 / 30
Inspired by: Culver's Butterburger
It’s no secret that Wisconsinites love their dairy—so much that they sometimes top their burgers with a generous pat of butter. My recipe is a lot like the butter burgers you’ll find in popular restaurants all over the state. —Becky Carver, North Royalton, Ohio —Becky Carver, North Royalton, Ohio 7 / 30
Inspired by: California Pizza Kitchen Roasted Artichoke and Spinach Pizza
When I'm making this pizza and I have garlic oil in my pantry, I swap it for regular oil. It adds a little something without overpowering the toppings. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon 8 / 30
Inspired by: Shake Shack Cheese Fries
I came up with this recipe after my daughter had cheese fries at a restaurant and couldn't stop talking about them. She loves that I can fix them so quickly at home. Plus, the frozen fry packets can be refrigerated and reheated. —Melissa Tatum, Greensboro, North Carolina 9 / 30
Inspired by: Panda Express Orange Chicken
We enjoy these tangy nuggets so many ways—over noodles or rice, in sandwiches, even on top of lettuce and cabbage. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon 10 / 30
Inspired by: Olive Garden Breadsticks
I love to experiment in the kitchen with simple ingredients like refrigerated biscuits. The results usually are a big hit, as was the case with these super fast breadsticks. —Billy Hensley, Mount Carmel, Tennessee 11 / 30
Inspired by: Orange Julius Original
I love to treat overnight guests to this creamy orange frappe. Just blitz a few basic ingredients in your blender and enjoy. —Joyce Mummau, Mount Airy, Maryland 12 / 30
Inspired by: McCalister's Deli Harvest Chicken Salad
These sandwiches are easy to pull together when you need something fun and taste-worthy in a flash. I make them often for occasions like brunches, church youth meetings and impromptu family gatherings. —Cheryl Sigler, Louisville, Ohio 13 / 30
Inspired by: Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana
I let my young son pick out seed packets and he chose kale, which grew like crazy. This hearty soup helped make good use of it and rivals a restaurant version that we love. —Michelle Babbie, Malone, New York 14 / 30
Inspired by: Taco Bell Grilled Breakfast Burrito
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 15 / 30
Inspired by: Starbucks Caffe Mocha
When I'm sipping this delicious coffee, I almost feel like I'm visiting my favorite coffeehouse. —Jill Rodriguez, Gonzales, Louisiana 16 / 30
Inspired by: McDonald's Chicken McNuggets
My 3-year-old is going through a stage where he'll eat only chicken nuggets and French fries. I like to make these golden nuggets for him so I know what he's eating. They're so good, we like them, too! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama 17 / 30
Inspired by: Panera Bread Mac and Cheese
My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia 18 / 30
Inspired by: SONIC Corn Dogs
One of the best parts of the many fairs and festivals in Indiana is the corn dogs! My family loves corn dogs, so I fix them fairly often at home. —Sally Denney, Warsaw, Indiana 19 / 30
Inspired by: Red Robin Burnin' Love Burger
On a whim, we mixed homemade jalapeno jam into ground beef patties, then topped the burgers with caramelized onions and tangy Gorgonzola cheese. Fabulous! —Becky Mollenkamp, St. Louis, Missouri 20 / 30
Inspired by: McDonald's Shamrock Shake
Save a sleeve of Girl Scout cookies for this creamy milkshake that's fun for kids and adults, too. —Shauna Sever, San Francisco, California 21 / 30
Inspired by: Qdoba Chips and Queso
Years ago, my husband invented this gooey cheese dip. I may be biased, but I have to say it's excellent. If you like heat, rev it up with finely chopped jalapenos. —Patricia Leinheiser, Albuquerque, New Mexico 22 / 30
Inspired by: Waffle House Regular Waffle
These melt-in-your-mouth waffles are so tender, you can skip butter and syrup, but why would you want to? —James Schend, Food Editor, Taste of Home magazine, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 23 / 30
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel Chicken n' Dumplins
Using precooked chicken and ready-made biscuits, this hearty dish is comfort food made simple. It's the perfect way to warm up on chilly nights. —Lakeya Astwood, Schenectady, New York 24 / 30
Inspired by: KFC Cole Slaw
For Friday dinners, my mother made coleslaw to go with our fish. It’s still a family tradition, and the tangy dressing even works on a tossed salad. —Cynthia McDowell, Banning, California 25 / 30
Inspired by: Charley's Philly Steaks Philly Cheese Steak
This ultimate Philly cheesesteak recipe is a best-seller at Pat's King of Steaks Restaurant. Patrons praise its thinly cut beef and crusty Italian rolls. —Frank Olivieri, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 26 / 30
Inspired by: Dairy Queen S'mores Blizzard Treat
When cabin fever hits, we whip up a beverage that tastes like s’mores. Oven-toasted marshmallows and a blender make it happen. —Sarah McKenna, Centennial, Colorado 27 / 30
Inspired by: PF Chang's Lettuce Wraps
This recipe is as tasty as the lettuce wraps found in national restaurants, but it's healthier! — Linda Rowley, Richardson, Texas 28 / 30
Inspired by: IHOP Blueberry Pancakes
My dad makes blueberry pancakes for us every Saturday without fail. The combination of oats, cornmeal and buttermilk in the batter gives the pancakes heartiness we can't resist. —Gabrielle Short, Pleasant Hill, Iowa 29 / 30
Inspired by: Culver's Wisconsin Cheese Curds
Cheese curds or cubes dipped in flour and beer, then fried, need only a good supply of crinkly toothpicks to turn them into a vanishing act. —Katie Rose, Pewaukee, Wisconsin 30 / 30
Inspired by: The Cheesecake Factory Spicy Cashew Chicken
There are lots of recipes for cashew chicken, but my family thinks this one stands alone. We love the flavor from the fresh ginger and the crunch of the cashews. Another plus is it's easy to prepare. —Oma Rollison, El Cajon, California Originally Published: July 15, 2020