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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Skip the Takeout: 21 Delicious Dishes You Can Make at Home Instead

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 28, 2025, updated April 23, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking at home can be a fun and rewarding way to enjoy your favorite meals without the hassle of takeout. With just a few ingredients and some simple techniques, you can whip up 21 delicious dishes that rival your go-to restaurant orders. From comforting curries to flavorful stir-fries, these recipes will help you create satisfying meals right in your own kitchen.

    Thai Cashew Chicken

    Thai cashew chicken.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This takeout favorite is packed with chicken and fresh veggies, bringing authentic Thai flavors to your kitchen. In just 35 minutes, you can enjoy a tasty meal that feels like a trip to Thailand.

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    Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad

    Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad.
    Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

    Vietnamese beef noodle salad is a fresh and flavorful dish that combines tender beef, vibrant herbs, and a zesty lime fish sauce dressing. It’s quick to prepare in just 30 minutes, making it a great option for a main meal or a side.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Spring Rolls

    Air Fryer Spring Rolls.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Frozen spring rolls can be ready in your air fryer in less than 10 minutes, making for a quick meal. They come out crispy and tasty with just a little oil, ideal for enjoying with your favorite dipping sauces.

    Get the recipe

    Sticky Cashew Chicken

    Sticky Cashew Chicken.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Tender chicken and crunchy cashews come together in a tasty sweet and savory sauce. This is a great option for a quick weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki

    Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki.
    Photo credit: Frugal Family Times.

    Frozen chicken breasts can go straight into the pot without any thawing needed. Just toss in the ingredients, let it cook for 30 minutes, and you’ll have a tasty meal ready to enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetable Korma

    A bowl of vegetable korma.
    Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

    Enjoy a tasty korma filled with chickpeas, carrots, green peas, potatoes, green beans, and mushrooms. It's so good that everyone will be coming back for more!

    Get the recipe

    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is a great addition to your weekly meals. It has a classic base and gets a nice crunch from the peanuts sprinkled on top.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Red Curry Fried Rice

    Fried rice with curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Thai Curry Fried Rice is a simple and flavorful dish you can whip up at home. With ingredients like fish sauce, curry paste, cashews, lime, and cilantro, it’s easy to customize with a bit of Sriracha if you like it spicy.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Mei Fun

    Shrimp mei fun.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This popular noodle dish is simple to prepare at home. Enjoy a delicious meal without the need for takeout.

    Get the recipe

    Miso Mushroom Ramen

    a bowl of miso mushroom ramen.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A quick dashi broth combined with flavorful mushrooms makes for a satisfying meal at home. This dish brings the taste of takeout right to your kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Dumplings

    A dumpling picked up with chop sticks.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Air fryer dumplings are a quick and delicious option for a meal. They come out crispy on the edges in just 10 minutes, making them perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce.

    Get the recipe

    Panang Curry with Tofu & Veggies

    A pot full of vegan panang curry.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    Panang Curry is a delicious dish that combines rich, creamy, sweet, and spicy flavors. It's easy to prepare at home, giving you a tasty meal without the need for takeout.

    Get the recipe

    Kung Pao Spaghetti

    Kung Pao Spaghetti.
    Photo credit: Spice Cravings.

    This Kung Pao Spaghetti is a great way to enjoy your favorite Chinese takeout at home. It combines pasta, chicken, and vegetables with a simple kung pao sauce, topped with peanuts and spring onions for a quick family dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Nachos With Tajin

    Air fryer nachos.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    These nachos come together in just 10 minutes using your air fryer. Loaded with layers of cheese and a sprinkle of Tajin seasoning, they’re perfect as a snack, appetizer, or even a quick dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Beef Chow Fun

    beef chow fun.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Beef Chow Fun is a quick and easy meal you can whip up at home during a busy weeknight. With rice noodles, bean sprouts, scallions, and flank steak, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

    tikka masala in a bowl with rice.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    Chicken Tikka Masala is easy to prepare at home using a slow cooker. Just add the ingredients and let it simmer for a simple homemade curry night.

    Get the recipe

    Kimchi Fried Rice with Spam

    A plate of kimchi fried rice.
    Photo credit: Pups with Chopsticks.

    Enjoy a delicious plate of kimchi fried rice in just 30 minutes. This dish features kimchi, spam, rice, and a fried egg on top for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Fried Green Curry Spaghetti

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

    This dish mixes Thai curry with spaghetti for a delicious meal you'll want to enjoy often. It's a fun twist on classic flavors that brings takeout right to your kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Masala

    A bowl of shrimp masala curry.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    This shrimp masala curry features a delicious Indian sauce packed with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and spices. It's a great way to enjoy a takeout favorite right at home.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetable Ramen with Spicy Miso Broth

    Bowls with vegetable ramen.
    Image credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    Instant ramen can be even better with some added vegetables and spices. This simple upgrade gives it a delicious twist that you'll love.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Curry

    Shrimp curry in a skillet.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Spicy and flavorful curries are a delight to enjoy at home. This Shrimp Curry comes together easily with Thai red curry paste and coconut milk, and it's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner in just 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe

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    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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