The holiday season is here, and it’s the perfect time to explore home-cooked alternatives to your favorite takeout dishes. Our selection of 19 recipes offers the flavors and excitement of restaurant dining, all from the comfort of your kitchen. These dishes range from spicy stir-fries to comforting Italian classics, providing a gourmet dining experience that’s both satisfying and convenient during the festive period.
Cod Piccata
Cod piccata offers a bright, tangy seafood version of the classic piccata recipe. The almond flour-dredged cod filets are pan-fried until flaky, with capers, lemon juice, and shallots adding big flavor. This gluten-free dish is easy to make and provides a delightful, restaurant-quality meal at home.
Get the Recipe: Cod Piccata
Sweet & Spicy Pork Ramen Stir Fry
Sweet and spicy pork ramen stir fry is a quick 20-minute dish, filled with vegetables and perfect for a healthy, easy dinner. It’s an ideal takeout alternative for the holidays, providing a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s even better than what you’d order out.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Pork Ramen Stir Fry
Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry
Shaved beef and broccoli stir fry is a quick and crave-worthy dish, perfect for a homemade takeout experience. Thinly sliced beef makes for a fast stir-fry dinner, including a sauce that rivals any takeout option. This dish is ideal for those looking to enjoy a classic takeout flavor in a simple, home-cooked meal.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry
Tuna Sushi Bowl
A tuna sushi bowl is a quick and easy way to enjoy sushi at home. Packed with fresh ingredients like radishes, carrots, cucumber, seaweed, and avocado, and drizzled in a spicy avocado wasabi dressing, it’s a perfect meal for sushi lovers looking for a homemade alternative during the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Sushi Bowl
Sweet & Spicy Indian Chicken
Sweet and spicy Indian chicken, marinated in yogurt and spices and finished with a maple syrup glaze, is a fantastic homemade takeout option. This dish is outrageously delicious and easy to make, perfect for those looking to bring a touch of international flair to their holiday dining.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Indian Chicken
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Slow cooker honey garlic chicken is a great homemade alternative to takeout. The recipe features a sticky, sweet sauce healthier than typical takeout options, with pieces of pineapple adding a tropical twist. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a fuss-free holiday meal, letting you enjoy flavorsome chicken with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry
Spicy udon noodle stir fry is a quick, flavorful dish, ready in under 30 minutes. With a ginger-garlic sriracha sauce, doughy udon noodles, and ground beef, it rivals any takeout dish. This recipe is ideal for a holiday meal at home, offering a hearty and satisfying option that’s both simple and rich in flavor.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry
Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Sheet pan steak and shrimp fajitas are the simplest way to enjoy a surf and turf dinner at home. They are seasoned and cooked on one pan in under 20 minutes, offering a perfect weeknight dinner. This dish is an excellent choice for those seeking a quick yet luxurious meal during the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Chinese Boneless Spare Ribs
Chinese boneless spare ribs bring the familiar takeout experience right to your kitchen. Perfect for a holiday alternative to dining out, they feature a sticky, sweet coating with crispy edges and a striking deep red color. These ribs are surprisingly easy to make at home, offering a delectable treat that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Boneless Spare Ribs
Shrimp Lo Mein
Shrimp lo mein lets you skip the takeout with a simple homemade recipe. Featuring Chinese egg noodles, juicy shrimp, and vegetables tossed in a savory sauce, this 20-minute meal is a great addition to your holiday menu, offering the flavors of a restaurant dish in the comfort of your home.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Lo Mein
Burger Bowls
Burger bowls offer a healthier twist on your favorite fast food burger, ideal for a homemade takeout experience. This recipe includes a homemade special burger sauce, blending all the classic burger toppings and flavors. It’s a satisfying and easy-to-make dish, perfect for a casual holiday dinner at home.
Get the Recipe: Burger Bowls
Marinated Chicken Wings
Marinated chicken wings are a fantastic choice for a home-cooked takeout alternative. Their salty, sticky, sweet, and savory flavors make buffalo sauce seem unnecessary. These wings are easy to prepare and perfect for adding a flavorful twist to your holiday menu, making them a must-try for wing enthusiasts.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Chicken Wings
General Tso Shrimp
General Tso shrimp is a quick and easy dish that captures the essence of your favorite Chinese takeout. Made in just 10 minutes with a sweet and slightly spicy sauce, this one-skillet meal is a great way to enjoy a takeout-style dish at home, especially during the busy holiday season.
Get the Recipe: General Tso Shrimp
Gochujang Chicken
Gochujang chicken, featuring a sticky, spicy, and sweet sauce, is a quick 30-minute dinner perfect for the holidays. This takeout-inspired dish served over white rice is an excellent choice for those wanting to enjoy bold flavors at home, making it an ideal alternative to ordering out.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken
Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp
Bucatini with garlic shrimp is an easy, elegant pasta dish, ready in under 30 minutes. Tossed with garlic shrimp and cherry tomatoes, it’s a great choice for a weeknight holiday meal, offering the luxury of a restaurant-quality dish with the simplicity of home cooking.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp
Kung Pao Chickpeas
Kung Pao chickpeas offer a delightful twist on a Chinese takeout favorite. This vegan recipe recreates the bold flavors of the classic dish, making it a perfect choice for a home-cooked meal during the holidays. It’s simple to prepare and provides a tasty protein alternative for those looking to replicate takeout flavors in their own kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chickpeas
Stuffed Chicken Marsala
Stuffed chicken marsala adds a delicious twist to the classic Italian dish. Filled with mozzarella, tomato butter, and fresh basil, it’s an irresistible choice for a holiday dinner. This dish is easy to make at home, bringing a touch of Italian elegance to your dining table.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Chicken Marsala
Chicken Sorrentino
Chicken sorrentino is a classic Italian recipe that combines everything you love in one dish. With breaded chicken topped with prosciutto, eggplant, and cheese, baked in a hearty tomato sauce, it’s an easy-to-make dish that brings Italian restaurant flavors to your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sorrentino
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Bucatini cacio e pepe is a simple, classic Italian dish made with just five ingredients. This creamy pasta, featuring sheep’s milk Pecorino Romano cheese, creates an indulgent meal that’s both easy and economical. It’s an excellent choice for a cozy, homemade alternative to holiday takeout.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe