Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food
Katie BandurskiUpdated: Jan. 14, 2022
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.
1/17
Inspired by: Portillo’s Italian Beef Sandwich
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
Get Our Recipe for Family-Favorite Italian Beef Sandwiches
2/17
Inspired by: Taco Bell’s 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
Get Our Recipe for Egg Burritos
3/17
Inspired by: Olive Garden’s Lasagna Classico
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
Get Our Recipe for Make-Ahead Lasagna
4/17
Inspired by: Rock Bottom’s Bacon Jalapeno Poppers
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
5/17
For an easy, make-ahead dessert that's elegant and luscious, try this recipe. The perfect blend of mocha and chocolate is in each cool, refreshing slice. —Aelita Kivirist, Glenview, Illinois
Get Our Recipe for Frozen Mocha Torte
6/17
Inspired by: Golden Corral’s Chicken Potpie
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
Get Our Recipe for Favorite Chicken Potpie
7/17
Inspired by: Starbucks’ Blueberry Muffin
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
Get Our Recipe for Aunt Betty’s Blueberry Muffins
8/17
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
Get Our Recipe for Chunky Sausage Lentil Soup
9/17
Inspired by: IHOP’s Harvest Grain ‘N Nut Pancakes
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
Get Our Recipe for Whole Grain Banana Pancakes
10/17
Inspired By: Boston Market’s Mashed Potatoes
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
Get Our Recipe for Deluxe Mashed Potatoes
11/17
Inspired by: Texas Roadhouse’s Roadhouse Pulled Pork Sandwich
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
Get Our Recipe for Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches Recipe
12/17
Inspired by: Burger King’s French Toast Sticks
Keep these French toast sticks in the freezer for an instant filling breakfast. Their convenient size makes them ideal for a breakfast buffet. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Get Our Recipe for French Toast Sticks
13/17
Inspired by: Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
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
Get Our Recipe for Soft Beer Pretzels
14/17
Inspired by: Taco Bell’s Beefy 5-Layer Burrito
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
Get Our Recipe for Freezer Burritos
15/17
Inspired by: Rock Bottom’s Bacon Chicken Mac ‘N Cheese
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
16/17
Inspired By: Cracker Barrel’s Biscuits n’ Gravy
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
17/17
Inspired By: Olive Garden’s Tiramisu
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
Get Our Recipe for Make-Ahead Tiramisu
Originally Published: August 14, 2018
Katie Bandurski
As Senior Shopping Editor, Katie connects Taste of Home readers with the best gifts, deals and home products on the market. An avid foodie and a holiday enthusiast, Katie is an expert at cultivating meaningful moments.When she’s out of the office, you’ll find her exploring Wisconsin, trying out new vegetarian recipes and watching Christmas movies.