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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Easy Takeout-Style Dinners You Can Make Yourself

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 10, 2025 · Published December 14, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    These 21 easy takeout-style dinners are simple to whip up at home, saving you time and money. From flavorful stir-fries to comforting noodle dishes, you can enjoy your favorite restaurant meals without the wait. Each recipe is designed to be quick and satisfying, perfect for busy weeknights.

    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is a fantastic option for your weekly meals. It features a classic mix of ingredients and is topped with crunchy peanuts that add a nice touch of flavor. It's a simple and satisfying dish that brings a taste of takeout right to your kitchen.

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    Teriyaki Ham Stir-Fry

    A bowl of stir fried rice with leftover ham.
    Photo Credit: Feast for a Fraction.

    Leftover ham is a great ingredient for a simple Asian-style stir-fry. This dish comes together quickly and is perfect for a filling meal. It's an easy way to use up leftovers while enjoying a flavorful dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken

    Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Add Salt & Serve.

    This chicken dish is incredibly tender and smothered in a creamy, peanut-flavored sauce. With just five simple ingredients for the sauce, it's a breeze to prepare. You only need to mix the ingredients, pour them over the chicken, and let the slow cooker do the work. It's a delicious option for a cozy dinner at home.

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    Margherita Flatbread

    Margherita flatbread pizza.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Margherita flatbread pizza is a quick and satisfying meal when you're in the mood for pizza. It features crispy flatbread topped with fresh basil, a simple homemade sauce, and creamy mozzarella cheese. This dish is easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy night in.

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    Falafel Sandwich

    Falafel Sandwich
    Photo credit: Inquiring chef

    A falafel sandwich is a great meal to whip up at home. It features warm pita bread, crispy falafel, fresh vegetables, and a creamy tahini sauce. This dish is simple to adjust to your personal taste, making it a fun and satisfying option for any day.

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    Pad Woon Sen (Thai Glass Noodle Sti Fry)

    Pad Woon Sen (Thai Glass Noodle Sti Fry).
    Photo credit: Foodess.

    Pad Woon Sen is a tasty Thai stir fry that combines glass noodles, chicken, and fresh veggies in a delicious sauce. This dish is quick to prepare and is great for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Egg Roll in a Bowl

    Egg roll in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons.

    Egg rolls can be a bit of a challenge to make at home, but this egg roll bowl offers a quick and easy way to enjoy those flavors. It's a simple dish that you can whip up in no time, perfect for a busy evening. With all the tasty ingredients mixed together, it's a satisfying meal that captures the essence of takeout without the fuss.

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    Grilled Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

    Fish tacos.
    Photo credit: Sweet Tea and Thyme.

    Fish tacos are a great choice for anyone who enjoys a fresh and flavorful meal. Grilled white fish paired with a sweet and spicy mango salsa creates a delicious combination that you'll want to enjoy regularly. This dish is simple to prepare and brings the taste of takeout right to your kitchen.

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    3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes

    SLOPPY JOES.
    Photo credit: The Short Order Cook.

    A homemade sloppy joe is quick to prepare and has the same great flavor as the ones from Arby's. This classic dish is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.

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    Chickpea Gyros

    Chickpea Gyros.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Quick chickpea gyros are a great option when you're in the mood for some Greek flavors. They come together in just 15 minutes, making them a simple choice for a tasty meal.

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    Thai Cashew Chicken

    Thai cashew chicken.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is a popular takeout choice, featuring tender chicken and fresh vegetables that deliver real Thai flavors right at home. It's quick to prepare, taking only about 35 minutes, making it a satisfying option for a busy evening.

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    Fried Green Curry Spaghetti

    A bowl of fried spaghetti with green curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Thai curries and noodle dishes offer a burst of flavor that satisfies cravings perfectly. This dish brings together the richness of curry and the comfort of noodles, making it a delicious option. It's also quick to whip up, so you can enjoy a tasty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Chinese Scrambled Eggs & Shrimp

    chinese scrambled eggs with shrimp.
    Photo credit: Pups with Chopsticks.

    This Cantonese stir-fry features fluffy scrambled eggs and shrimp, and it comes together in just 15 minutes. It's a favorite dish that captures the flavors of takeout, making it a great option for a quick and satisfying meal. You'll find yourself wanting to whip this up time and time again.

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    Spicy, Buttery Asian Grilled Shrimp

    Spicy buttery Asian grilled shrimp with sauce.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Grilled seafood is a popular choice, and you can easily make it at home. This dish is quick and straightforward to prepare, allowing you to enjoy takeout flavors right in your own kitchen.

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    Smash Burgers

    Easy Smash Burger Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    A delicious burger can be made right at home, and it can be even better than what you find at fast food joints. This is a perfect choice for a quick meal that hits the spot. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a satisfying burger that everyone will love.

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    Air Fryer Nachos

    Air fryer nachos.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    Nachos are super easy to make in the air fryer, giving you a tasty snack that's even better than what you'd get from takeout. This is a quick and satisfying choice when you want something delicious without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Chili Oil Noodles

    Chili oil noodles with sesame seeds and chopped scallions.
    Photo Credit: Serene Trail.

    This dish is great for when you're in the mood for noodles. It's packed with spicy garlic, green onions, and chili flakes, using ingredients you likely have on hand. It's a simple and satisfying meal that you can whip up in no time.

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    Kimchi Udon Noodle Stir Fry

    Kimchi Udon Noodle Stir Fry with chopsticks.
    Photo Credit: In the Kitch.

    This stir fry is great for satisfying your craving for Asian noodles. It features chewy udon noodles, crunchy bell peppers, and flavorful kimchi all tossed together in a delicious sauce. It's a simple dish that brings together a variety of textures and tastes, making it a fun meal to enjoy any night of the week.

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    Egg Fried Rice

    A bowl of egg fried rice.
    Photo Credit: Savory Sweet Spoon.

    This is a simple and delicious meal you can whip up at home instead of getting takeout. With just a handful of ingredients, you can have a satisfying fried rice dish ready in less than 10 minutes. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai)

    ©Provided by Pups with Chopsticks

    Thai Basil Chicken features tender chicken mixed with green beans and fresh Thai basil, all tossed in a flavorful sauce. It's a simple and satisfying dinner option that comes together quickly, perfect for busy evenings. This dish brings the taste of takeout right to your kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Korean Beef Bowl

    Korean beef served over rice.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This dish brings together the delicious flavors of Korean cuisine with a blend of sweet and savory notes. Ground beef is combined with ginger, brown sugar, garlic, and a mix of spices to create a satisfying meal. It's a simple way to enjoy takeout-style food right at home.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      19 Effortless Appetizers That Taste Gourmet
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      21 Fast, Family-Friendly Dinners Everyone Will Ask You to Make Again
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      50 Easy, Delicious Dinners for Crazy-Busy Weeknights
    • French onion pork chops.
      16 Pork Dinners So Good You’ll Want Seconds (and Thirds)

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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