26 Restaurant-Quality Meals You Can Make at Home (For Less!)

Want to enjoy delicious restaurant-style meals without breaking the bank? You're in luck! Cooking impressive dishes at home is easier than you think. This post will share 26 yummy recipes you can make yourself, for less money than going out to eat.

These recipes are easy to follow, even for beginners. Imagine surprising your family and friends with amazing food you created yourself!

Get ready to explore a variety of dishes, from hearty stews to creamy pastas. There's something for everyone, so dive in and discover your new favorite meal!

Chili Mac

Chili Mac just might be our #1 choice for a comfort food dish. Creamy macaroni and cheese with all the classic American beef chili ingredients you love all in one very easy to make dish. Perfect for beginner cooks – and loved by all family members, big and small. Get the recipe.

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe

This traditional Chinese sweet and sour pork recipe (Cantonese Style) features crispy pork, pineapple, peppers, and onions, all tossed in a deliciously sticky sweet and sour sauce. This recipe is better than takeout any day of the week and will you that classic flavor at home! Get the recipe.

Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe

This super easy sloppy joes recipe requires only 5 ingredients and will be ready in 15 minutes! It’s the perfect weeknight meal for those busy days when you want to whip up something the whole family will love! Get the recipe.

Creamy Salmon Pasta

This Easy and Creamy Salmon Pasta features quickly seared salmon tossed in a creamy smoky sauce along with your favorite pasta. This hearty and satisfying dish is loaded with flavor and comes together in no time. Get the recipe.

Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff

This Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff is a creamy, savory, luxurious dinner inspired by delicious Eastern European cuisine and it's ready to eat in just half an hour! You simply can't beat this easy stroganoff recipe for a one-skillet, thirty-minute dinner when you're ready for a satisfying, comforting meal that doesn't involve slaving in the kitchen all afternoon. Get the recipe.

Best Cook-Off Winning Chili

This Award Winning Chili Recipe is a showstopper. If you are tired of boring recipes, tired of chili that tastes like beef stew, tired of recipes that seem one trick ponies, then this is the best chili recipe you have been waiting for. My ultimate cook-off-winning chili is loaded with flavor and a secret ingredient. Perfect comfort food for cold weather, your whole family will love it. Get the recipe.

Creamy Kale and Mushroom Lasagna

Have you ever made vegetable lasagna? No? It's time to fix that. This Creamy Kale and Mushroom Lasagna is full of delicious and aromatic mushrooms, covered in a cheesy Bechamel sauce and fresh Mozzarella and baked until bubbly perfection. Get the recipe.

Beef Stew with Vegetables

This Beef Stew is incredibly easy to make with rich, savory gravy, tender chunks of beef, and a medley of hearty vegetables, and it hits all the right notes of flavor and texture. It’s the perfect fall or winter dish that’s comforting, delicious, and a true family favorite! Get the recipe.

Finger-Licking Mustard Chicken

Prepare to fall madly in love with this Creamy Dreamy Mustard Chicken Recipe. Classic French dish that tastes outstanding. Get the recipe.

Mussels Pasta with Garlic and Fennel

This Mussels Pasta With Garlic And Fennel was inspired by the reader's favorite Creamy Garlic Mussels and is a culinary trip to Tuscany. This is a recipe that tastes and looks like a luxury but comes together simply and in less than half an hour. It's the best mussels recipe for busy weeknights when you need a quick meal but still want a deliciously inspired one. Get the recipe.

Spring Minestrone Soup

It's Spring Minestrone Soup. Easy, one pot vegetable soup that's bursting with fresh green vegetables. Perfect for lightened up lunch or dinner. Get the recipe.

Salmon with Browned Potatoes and Green Beans

Crispy Seared Salmon with lightly Browned Potatoes and Garlicky Green Beans make a quick and no-fuss weeknight meal you and your family will enjoy. Get the recipe.

Tortellini Soup

Tortellini Soup is a delicious, hearty soup recipe that's simple to whip up and perfect for busy weeknights. It's packed with veggies, a savory broth, and rich cheese tortellini. We've also snuck in some fresh spinach for a little boost of protein. Get the recipe.

Bourbon Chicken Recipe

This easy bourbon chicken recipe is a classic dish that's ready in under 30 minutes and combines delicious tangy and sweet flavors. With tender, juicy chicken smothered in a savory Bourbon sauce, this recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves a good, hearty meal. Get the recipe.

Creamy Mushroom Soup

It's the creamiest Mushroom Soup. After you take the first sip of it, you'll instantly feel cozy and warm. Classic autumn soup with a ton of flavor. Get the recipe. Get the recipe.

30-Minute Stir Fry Noodles

These Stir Fry Noodles are incredibly easy to make, packed with flavor, and the perfect recipe for busy weeknights! It features perfectly stir-fried veggies, tasty tofu, and delicious noodles coated in a simple, flavorful homemade stir-fry sauce!  Get the recipe.

Lemon Roasted Chicken

One of the easiest recipes in Mediterranean cuisine... Chicken Riganati, or Greek Lemon Roasted Chicken, is juicy and tender and requires just a handful of ingredients. Prepare it for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. You'll love the lemon and oregano flavor of the dish and the easiness of putting it together. Get the recipe.

Sheet Pan Maple Salmon

Sheet Pan Maple Salmon is an easy 7 ingredient meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. The tender salmon is coated in a sticky maple glaze and cooks on a sheet pan with broccoli and baby potatoes for an easy one-pan dinner.  Get the recipe.

Beef and Barley Soup

Beef barley soup has got to be the ultimate cozy, stick-to-your-ribs soup. The depth of the flavor is incredible, and you'll leave the table feeling full, yet still wanting more. Get the recipe.

Mongolian Tofu

Ready to serve hot in less than 30 minutes, this easy Mongolian tofu is a delicious option for a quick weekday or weeknight meal. This recipe is inspired by the popular Mongolian beef stir-fry, using crispy, seasoned tofu and a sweet and salty sauce that will make you want to lick your fingers! Get the recipe.

Kung Pao Chicken

Bursting with flavor and beyond easy to make, this Gluten-Free Kung Pao Chicken is a healthier twist on your favorite take-out dish. The perfect combination of salty and sweet, this savory recipe is sure to become your new weeknight staple. Get the recipe.

Five-Spice Ribs with Plum Sauce

These Asian-inspired Five-Spice Ribs with Plum Sauce have a flavorful dry rub in addition to a glossy, sweet and tangy plum-based sauce. Get the recipe.

Baked Salmon with Mayonnaise

This easy baked salmon with mayonnaise comes together in just a few minutes using simple ingredients! Deliciously flaky and perfect for busy weeknights. Get the recipe.

American Chop Suey (American Goulash)

This mouthwatering blend of beef, vegetables, garlic, and macaroni noodles is a classic comfort food that the whole family will love. Get the recipe.

Shrimp Masala Curry

Tasty and tender shrimp masala curry cooked in a rustic Indian sauce made with onions and tomatoes, along with aromatics such as ginger, garlic and spices. Make this authentic Indian curry with shrimp or prawns, and enjoy with a side of naan or rice! Get the recipe.

Chicken Carbonara with Leek and Mushrooms

A delicious twist on an Italian classic, my chicken carbonara with leek and mushrooms recipe is the perfect quick and easy midweek meal – quick as a flash and knock-out delicious! Get the recipe.

More Recipes from Lavender & Macarons

Looking for the ultimate comfort food that's easy to whip up? Look no further than dinner bakes! From gooey cheese to tender meats and hearty veggies, dinner bakes have it all. With just a few staple ingredients and a baking dish, you can create a satisfying meal that will warm both body and soul. We Found the Ultimate Comfort Food: 17 Easy Dinner Bakes