This is the fifth day of my 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero challenge. To read all the posts in order, start with Day One or visit the Overview Page.
* * *
My family really loves going to restaurants so eating out has always been our biggest non-essential expenditure (and money waster!) I know I’m not alone; many of you shared the same struggle last week when we talked about searching for financial peace.
And while I know it is not essential and often a huge waste of money, I do still really miss eating out. For my family, it has probably been the hardest part of this entire spending freeze. Rather than wallow, however, I decided to search the internet for a substitute so that we could eat “out” at home. I found 20 delicious-looking restaurant copycat recipes that I can’t wait to try.
Starters:
1. Homemade Olive Garden Bread Sticks {via Full Bellies, Happy Kids}
2. Chili’s Southwest Eggrolls {via CopyKat Recipes}
3. TGI Friday’s Baked Potato Skins {via CopyKat Recipes}
4. P.F. Chang’s Lettuce Wraps {via Iowa Girl Eats}
5. Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Honey Butter {via Fly Through Our Window}
6. Macaroni Grill Rosemary Bread {via Readable Eatables}
7. Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits {via ABC News}
Main Courses:
8. Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken {via Fabulously Creative}
9. Panera Almost-Famous Broccoli-Cheddar Soup {via Food Network}
10. PF Changs Mongolian Beef {via Food.com}
11. Applebee’s Bourbon Street Steak {via Food.com}
12. Bennigan’s Meatloaf {via Cajun Cooking Recipes}
13. Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce {via Budget Savvy Diva}
Sides
14. Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice {via Skinnytaste}
15. Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole {via Restaurant Recipes Network}
Dessert:
16. Applebee’s Walnut Blondie with Maple Butter Sauce {via Get Off Your Butt and BAKE}
17. The Cheesecake Factory™ Cheesecake {via Chef Pablo’s Restaurant Recipes}
Other Treats:
18. Starbucks Frappucinos {via Savory Sweet Life}
19. Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls {via Balancing Beauty and Bedlam}
20. IHOP Cinnastack Pancakes {via Not So Homemade}
Your assignment today is to eat “out” at home with your family or friends. Choose from one of these recipes, or search for your own homemade version of your favorite restaurant meal. Prepare it together and make a fun evening of it. If you have them, use candles and cloth napkins and the “good” china to make it extra special. Happy Friday!
* * *
Does your family eat out a lot, order takeout, or eat mostly home cooked meals? Have you ever tried a restaurant copycat recipe? Do you have any to share?
* * *
{Go to Day 6}
Pin ItAffiliate links may be used in this post. Printing a coupon or ordering a product through this link may result in a commission, which helps pay for the cost of running this site and keeps the content free. Read my full disclosure policy here.
Michelle October 5, 2012 at 8:13 am
This is exactly what I needed! Just boomarked this page. We eat out way too much, but if we could copy some of our favorite meals, then we could save a lot of money.
Ruth October 6, 2012 at 7:37 am
That’s what I’m hoping too
Chef Pablo October 5, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Thanks for the link! Love the other recipes you’ve included.
Ruth October 6, 2012 at 7:38 am
Thanks for the great recipe!
Sam October 5, 2012 at 12:14 pm
I just wish sushi tasted as good homemade. My own personal Kryptonite:)
Ruth October 6, 2012 at 7:38 am
Oh sushi….mmmmm….have you ever tried making it yourself? I’ve heard it is pretty easy but it looks so intimidating!
Ruth V. October 5, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Great post! I’m pinning this
I’m going to have to try some of these – especially that Hash Brown Casserole!
Ruth October 6, 2012 at 7:39 am
Thanks Ruth!
Jenny October 5, 2012 at 3:59 pm
I can’t believe you found a recipe for those Red Lobster bisquits. My husband is going to be so excited!
Ruth October 6, 2012 at 7:39 am
I know! Those biscuits are my favorite! So excited to try them!
christa October 6, 2012 at 7:37 pm
I am CRAZY excited about your series, it is so well done! And finances are exceptionally tight so I appreciate you sharing what you have learned
Yesenia November 5, 2012 at 9:14 am
It took us a month, but we built up the courage to go on our own spending freeze for november! On day five now, but so far so good.. Can’t wait to try one of these yummy recipes tonight