39 Takeout Meals You Can Make at Home for Less

We all love the ease of takeout, especially on those busy nights when cooking feels like a chore. But what if you could enjoy those favorite takeout flavors right at home—for less? We’ve put together a large collection of recipes that bring the taste of some of your favorite takeout dishes straight to your kitchen, all without the hefty price tags, service fees, or tipping.

These meals are not only easy to make but also help you save money while keeping things fun in the kitchen. Let’s get cooking with these simple and delicious takes on your favorite takeout meals.

Shrimp Lo Mein

A bowl of stir fried noodles with shrimp and peppers. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Savor homemade Shrimp Lo Mein in 30 minutes with this easy recipe featuring succulent shrimp, fresh veggies, and a savory sauce.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp Lo Mein

Beef Teriyaki

Beef Teriyaki made in the slow cooker is pure comfort food, with juicy beef and flavorful teriyaki sauce mixed with sweet bell peppers, it’s so simple to make and beats takeout any day in price and taste.

Get the Recipe: Teriyaki

Easy Mongolian Beef

Mongolian Beef recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Yes, baking Soda is the secret ingredient of this easy and incredibly delicious beef dinner. Discover the ultimate comfort food with our homemade Mongolian Beef recipe. Tender beef slices coated in a sweet and savory glaze.

Get the Recipe: Easy Mongolian Beef

Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey Garlic Recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Throw out the takeout menu and whip up our delicious Honey Garlic Chicken recipe. Perfect for anyone looking for a flavorful and hassle-free meal.

Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken

Crockpot Beef and Broccoli

Skip the takeout and make this easy slow cooker meal! Tender beef and steamed broccoli are drenched in a thick, flavor-filled sauce that will have you coming back for seconds. This is a quick and easy meal that the whole family will love.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Beef and Broccoli

Hearty Bolognese You’ll Make Again and Again

Bolognese recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Our Ultimate Bolognese recipe is rich, hearty, and easy to make. Perfect for family dinners, it’s sure to become a favorite!

Get the Recipe: Hearty Bolognese You’ll Make Again and Again

Easy Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Chicken Parmesan has been a restaurant favorite for years. Learn how easy it is to make Chicken Parmesan at home.

Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Parmesan

Sesame Chicken

Try our savory Sesame Chicken recipe for a comforting and flavorful meal. Prepare it easily and enjoy the taste at home.

Get the Recipe: Sesame Chicken

Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken

Try this delicious Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken recipe, perfect for busy nights. It’s quick, flavorful, and easy to make.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bang Bang Chick

Thai Red Chicken Curry

Make our flavorful Thai Red Chicken Curry recipe for a quick and tasty one-pan dinner that your whole family will enjoy. It’s both easy and delicious.

Get the Recipe: Thai Red Chicken Curry

Homemade Smash Burgers

Smash Burger recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Whip up a delicious Smash Burger in just 20 minutes! Crispy edges, juicy centers, and customizable toppings make them a family favorite.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Smash Burgers

Easy Shepherd’s Pie

A plate with a piece of meat and vegetables on it. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Make dinner a breeze with our easy Shepherd’s Pie recipe! Hearty beef, mixed veggies, and creamy potatoes. Perfect for weeknights.

Get the Recipe: Easy Shepherd’s Pie

Easy Tarragon Chicken

Tarragon Chicken recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Tarragon Chicken is a recipe that brings together the best of comfort food and refined flavors. It’s easy to prepare, perfect for a family dinner, and has a richness that feels indulgent without being overly complicated. This dish is sure to be a hit, whether it’s a busy weeknight or a special occasion.

Get the Recipe: Easy Tarragon Chicken

Easy General Tso Shrimp Stir Fry

Chinese shrimp stir fry with rice and peppers. — Photo Credit: xoxoBella.

General Tso shrimp is an easy Chinese shrimp dish which you can rustle up in less than 30 minutes. Also known as General Tao’s shrimp or General Tsao’s shrimp, this shrimp stir fry is a popular Chinese takeout order that you can make at home.

Get the Recipe: Easy General Tso Shrimp Stir Fry

Chicken Marsala

Discover how to make a quick and delicious Chicken Marsala with our easy recipe. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this dish features tender chicken, savory mushrooms, and a rich Marsala wine sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes!

Get the Recipe: Chicken Marsala

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

This Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe delivers crispy, flavorful chicken wings from frozen in just 30 minutes with your air fryer.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken With Snap Peas

A bowl filled with chicken, cashews and snap peas. — Photo Credit: xoxo Bella.

Sweet and spicy flavors unite in this slow cooker cashew chicken with snap peas. Although many Chinese chicken recipes involve stir-frying, this one uses a crockpot. You will love this slow cooker chicken recipe with cashews.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken With Snap Peas

Creamy Mac and Cheese

Gouda Mac and Cheese recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our gourmet twist on Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese. Creamy, smoky, and utterly satisfying. Perfect for a cozy evening.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Mac and Cheese

Copycat Big Mac

Copycat McDonald’s Big Mac recipe by The Slow Roasted Italian. — Photo Credit: The Slow Roasted Italian.

Make my Big Mac Recipe instead of waiting in the drive-thru line! Juicy burgers are piled high with lettuce, onion, pickles, and cheese.

Get the Recipe: Copycat Big Mac

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

This Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry is a quick, flavorful meal with tender beef, fresh broccoli, and a rich sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes!

Get the Recipe: Beef And Broccoli Stir Fry

Fried Rice With Egg

This easy Fried Rice recipe tastes better than any Chinese takeout! It is a super easy recipe with ingredients that you likely have already in your pantry!

Get the Recipe: Fried Rice With Egg

Easy Teriyaki Salmon

This easy Teriyaki Salmon recipe is flavorful, tender, and absolutely delicious. The 5-ingredient homemade teriyaki sauce makes this easy meal a family favorite, and the whole dish comes together in under 45 minutes. Pair it with your favorite side for a healthy and hearty meal the whole family will love.

Get the Recipe: Easy Teriyaki Salmon

Sweet And Sour Chicken Thighs

Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs are ready in about an hour. This Asian-inspired weeknight dinner lets you skip takeout.

Get the Recipe: Sweet And Sour Chicken Thighs

Oven Baked Chicken Fried Rice

This Oven Baked Chicken Fried Rice is better than takeout! This easy family recipe is loved in our home. It’s full of flavor and delicious.

Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Chicken Fried Rice

Pesto Pasta with Mushrooms and Tomatoes

A bowl of pasta with mushrooms and pesto. — Photo Credit: Life As A Strawberry.

This Noodles & Company Pesto Cavatappi copycat recipe is easy to make and ready in 30 minutes! With fresh pesto, mushrooms, and diced tomatoes.

Get the Recipe: Pesto Pasta with Mushrooms and Tomatoes

Easy Chicken Pad Thai

This easy chicken pad Thai is perfect for dinner. It effortlessly combines juicy chicken, egg, veggies, and noodles with a rich, tasty sauce.

Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Pad Thai

Cheesecake Factory Avocado Egg Rolls

Avocado Egg Rolls are deliciously crispy and easy to make. Pair this Cheesecake Factory appetizers recipe with chipotle ranch dipping sauce!

Get the Recipe: Cheesecake Factory Avocado Egg Rolls

Honey Ginger Chicken

This honey ginger chicken boasts so many wonderful fresh flavors – garlic, ginger, honey, shallots, hot sauce, and more. It’s a great dish!

Get the Recipe: Honey Ginger Chicken

Crispy Ginger Beef

This ginger beef recipe is made with strips of sirloin steak fried to crispy perfection and then tossed in a sweet and spicy ginger sauce.

Get the Recipe: Crispy Ginger Beef

Sweet Sour Chicken With Pineapples

This better than takeout Sweet Sour Chicken with Pineapples takes just 25 minutes. Serve with fried rice or Chinese noodles for an easy meal.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Sour Chicken With Pineapples

McDonald’s Grilled Onion Cheddar Burger

This copycat McDonald’s grilled onion cheddar burger brings back all the flavor and memories of this short-lived, fast food classic.

Get the Recipe: McDonald’s Grilled Onion Cheddar Burger

Nashville-Style Oven Fried Hot Chicken Sandwich With Dill Slaw

Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich with a tangy, cooling dill slaw with pickles.

Get the Recipe: Nashville-Style Oven Fried Hot Chicken Sandwich With Dill Slaw

Chicken And Shrimp Stir Fry

This chicken and shrimp stir fry recipe is loaded with sweet, tangy, and hot flavors. It’s a classic dish and an easy recipe for chicken and shrimp stir fry.

Get the Recipe: Chicken And Shrimp Stir Fry

Quick And Easy Homemade Pizza In One Hour

Quick and Easy Homemade Pizza in One Hour is created, from pantry to plate, in just 1 hour! Use your favorite toppings on two 13×9 inch pizzas!

Get the Recipe: Quick And Easy Homemade Pizza In One Hour

Instant Pot Chicken Stir Fry

Try this Instant Pot Chicken Stir Fry using frozen vegetables for a quick dinner the whole family will love.

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Stir Fry

Honey Sesame Chicken

Skip Panda Express and make this this homemade healthy honey sesame chicken recipe instead. It can be made in less than 30 minutes!

Get the Recipe: Honey Sesame Chicken

Moo Goo Gai Pan

Moo Goo Gai Pan is made with tender slices of chicken, white button mushrooms, and other classic stir-fry vegetables all bathed in a delicious stir fry sauce. Learn how to make this better-than-takeout Moo Goo Gai Pan Recipe right at home and have dinner ready and on the table in 40 minutes or less!

Get the Recipe: Moo Goo Gai Pan