15 Best Better-Than Takeout Recipes - Damn Delicious (2024)

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Post navigation Want to Save this Recipe for Later? Leave a Reply 16 comments Bee — March 20, 2019 @ 4:24 AM Reply Kung Pao Spaghetti are really delicious. It is one of the best foods I know. The thai peanut beef looks like so mouthwatering. Thanks for sharing this recipes with us. Blogtastic Food — May 21, 2017 @ 2:46 PM Reply All of these recipes look wonderful! certainly better than takeout 😉 Karen Robbins — May 21, 2017 @ 4:48 AM Reply All of these recipes sound delicious. Do you have a recipe for General Tsaos Chicken? It’s my husbands favorite and I would like to make it for him. Chungah — May 22, 2017 @ 11:11 AM Reply I do! 🙂https://damndelicious.net/2014/05/23/lighter-general-tsos-chicken/ Tamms — November 7, 2016 @ 8:57 AM Reply I love the “bang bang chicken!” Your lo mein was also an inspiration for my own version using round steak and Instant Pot pressure cooker (because there are very few recipes that can escape a “tweak” or two from me). I plan on trying them all as I’m currently on an Asian food kick 🙂 Christina Aleman — December 21, 2015 @ 10:21 AM Reply Nice blog and the recipes are really great too. Keep t up. Stephanie — July 22, 2015 @ 11:41 PM Reply I could not choose a favorite among these recipes – I am just so hungry now! Chinese takeout gets a bit expensive, especially when my favorite dish always involves shrimp. I found these amazing recipes at http://affimity.com/#/sharedPost/1/9773; I am so glad that I found it, too. I love Chinese takeout, but like I said, it is not cheap. I can’t wait to make this at home – thank for you translating these recipes from my favorite menu! Mila Furman — December 5, 2014 @ 9:40 PM Reply wow!!! These all look so incredible!!! And your pictures are just BOMB!!!! Would you ever consider doing a tutorial for how you take your pics? Chungah — December 6, 2014 @ 12:28 AM Reply Thank you for the kind words! As for the tutorial, I am in no way an expert so I actually don’t feel comfortable providing a tutorial at this time. I still have a lot to learn! 🙂 Wendy — October 11, 2014 @ 3:49 PM Reply Thank you so much for such delightful recipes, Chung ah. Each one I have tried has turned out perfectly (a miracle for me!) My family’s favourite so far is the Firecracker Chicken. lisa — October 9, 2014 @ 8:32 AM Reply You have the greatest food p*rn. Love your blog and the recipes that you share. Stephanie — October 8, 2014 @ 11:56 AM Reply Love the recipes and your blog! Keep it up! Laurel — October 8, 2014 @ 10:19 AM Reply I need to add a 16th– your Pineapple Fried Rice! My taller half and I can’t get enough. He’s not crazy about ham, so I usually cook two boneless pork chops then cube them up to add in for an awesome supper. We get at least 2 huge meals out of it–thanks for such a delicious recipe! Julie — April 17, 2016 @ 9:43 AM Reply I would love your recipe for pineapple fried rice! thanks Averie @ Averie Cooks — October 8, 2014 @ 3:25 AM Reply You have me wanting takeout! Nice job 🙂 Great roundup and reminders of all the amazing copycat and takeout recipes you have….wow! Jules @ WolfItDown — October 8, 2014 @ 12:52 AM Reply Mmm looks like you’ve pretty much got all kinds of take-out cravings covered here, it looks fantastic, and I have tried a few of them myself ^ ^ FAQs References

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The best, budget-friendly takeout recipes you can easily make right at home. So easy, these dishes are practically fool-proof!

15 Best Better-Than Takeout Recipes - Damn Delicious (1)

I need to start by making a confession. Picking 15 of my favorite take-out recipes took way longer than expected, about 43 minutes and 27 seconds. But who’s counting?

It was a tough decision because Ijust love them all. But choices had to be made and recipes were crossed off. So here are my absolute favorite takeout dishes you can easily make right in your own kitchen without breaking the bank.

1. PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps – Believe it or not, this comes together in just 20 minutes from start to finish.[GET THE RECIPE.]

2. Chinese Orange Chicken – I kid you not. This is the BEST orange chicken hands down. [GET THE RECIPE.]

3. Easy Lo Mein – Not only is this made in just 15 minutes but you can easily customize this recipe with your favorite veggies and meats. [GET THE RECIPE.]

4. Baked Cream Cheese Wontons – No one would ever believe that these crisp, creamy wontons are actually baked, not fried. [GET THE RECIPE.]

5.Firecracker Chicken – The most amazing combination of sweet and spicy flavors that no takeout place can beat. [GET THE RECIPE.]

6. Easy Beef and Broccoli – A takeout classic that the whole family will love. [GET THE RECIPE.]

7. Bang Bang Chicken – Amazingly crisp chicken bites drizzled with sweet chili mayo. So good, you may want to double or triple the recipe. [GET THE RECIPE.]

8. Sesame Chicken Potstickers – Easy to make andfreezer-friendly, perfect for those busy weeknights. [GET THE RECIPE.]

9. Panda Express Sweet Fire Chicken Copycat – Skip the Panda Express line and try this at home. You won’t be sorry. [GET THE RECIPE.]

10. CPK’s Kung Pao Spaghetti – This dish costs $15 for one serving at CPK. You can easily make this at home with less than $10 worth of ingredients to feed a family of 4. [GET THE RECIPE.]

11. Shrimp Fried Rice – With half the calories of the restaurant version, you will never want to order takeout ever again. [GET THE RECIPE.]

12. Chinese Chicken Salad– Restaurant-quality salad without skimping on the chicken. Or the crispy noodles on top. [GET THE RECIPE.]

13. Thai Peanut Beef – All you need is 10 minutes prep for this one. Plus, thispeanut sauce is to die for. [GET THE RECIPE.]

14.Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken – A healthier baked version. You save on time, money, and calories. [GET THE RECIPE.]

15. Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat –Tastes just like Panda Express except it takes just minutes to whip up and tastes a million times better. Done and done. [GET THE RECIPE.]

posted on October 7, 2014under round up
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16 comments
  1. Bee March 20, 2019 @ 4:24 AM Reply

    Kung Pao Spaghetti are really delicious. It is one of the best foods I know. The thai peanut beef looks like so mouthwatering. Thanks for sharing this recipes with us.

  2. Blogtastic Food May 21, 2017 @ 2:46 PM Reply

    All of these recipes look wonderful! certainly better than takeout 😉

  3. Karen Robbins May 21, 2017 @ 4:48 AM Reply

    All of these recipes sound delicious. Do you have a recipe for General Tsaos Chicken? It’s my husbands favorite and I would like to make it for him.

    • Chungah May 22, 2017 @ 11:11 AM Reply

      I do! 🙂

      https://damndelicious.net/2014/05/23/lighter-general-tsos-chicken/

  4. Tamms November 7, 2016 @ 8:57 AM Reply

    I love the “bang bang chicken!” Your lo mein was also an inspiration for my own version using round steak and Instant Pot pressure cooker (because there are very few recipes that can escape a “tweak” or two from me). I plan on trying them all as I’m currently on an Asian food kick 🙂

  5. Christina Aleman December 21, 2015 @ 10:21 AM Reply

    Nice blog and the recipes are really great too. Keep t up.

  6. Stephanie July 22, 2015 @ 11:41 PM Reply

    I could not choose a favorite among these recipes – I am just so hungry now! Chinese takeout gets a bit expensive, especially when my favorite dish always involves shrimp. I found these amazing recipes at http://affimity.com/#/sharedPost/1/9773; I am so glad that I found it, too. I love Chinese takeout, but like I said, it is not cheap. I can’t wait to make this at home – thank for you translating these recipes from my favorite menu!

  7. Mila Furman December 5, 2014 @ 9:40 PM Reply

    wow!!! These all look so incredible!!! And your pictures are just BOMB!!!! Would you ever consider doing a tutorial for how you take your pics?

    • Chungah December 6, 2014 @ 12:28 AM Reply

      Thank you for the kind words! As for the tutorial, I am in no way an expert so I actually don’t feel comfortable providing a tutorial at this time. I still have a lot to learn! 🙂

  8. Wendy October 11, 2014 @ 3:49 PM Reply

    Thank you so much for such delightful recipes, Chung ah. Each one I have tried has turned out perfectly (a miracle for me!) My family’s favourite so far is the Firecracker Chicken.

  9. lisa October 9, 2014 @ 8:32 AM Reply

    You have the greatest food p*rn. Love your blog and the recipes that you share.

  10. Stephanie October 8, 2014 @ 11:56 AM Reply

    Love the recipes and your blog! Keep it up!

  11. Laurel October 8, 2014 @ 10:19 AM Reply

    I need to add a 16th– your Pineapple Fried Rice! My taller half and I can’t get enough. He’s not crazy about ham, so I usually cook two boneless pork chops then cube them up to add in for an awesome supper. We get at least 2 huge meals out of it–thanks for such a delicious recipe!

    • Julie April 17, 2016 @ 9:43 AM Reply

      I would love your recipe for pineapple fried rice! thanks

  12. Averie @ Averie Cooks October 8, 2014 @ 3:25 AM Reply

    You have me wanting takeout! Nice job 🙂 Great roundup and reminders of all the amazing copycat and takeout recipes you have….wow!

  13. Jules @ WolfItDown October 8, 2014 @ 12:52 AM Reply

    Mmm looks like you’ve pretty much got all kinds of take-out cravings covered here, it looks fantastic, and I have tried a few of them myself ^ ^

15 Best Better-Than Takeout Recipes - Damn Delicious (2024)

FAQs

Is lo mein healthy for you? ›

Worst: Lo Mein

This mound of noodles has about half the carbohydrates you need all day. The noodles are made from white flour, which raises your blood sugar faster than fiber-rich whole grains. Plus, they're cooked with oil and soy sauce, so you get extra fat and sodium.

What's a good dinner idea for tonight? ›

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  • Salmon en Papillote (Salmon in Parchment) ...
  • Baked Salmon with Grapefruit Salad.
Jun 10, 2024

What to eat on a Sunday? ›

Sunday Suppers
  • Sausage Ragu with Pappardelle Pasta.
  • A magnificent Roast Beef Tenderloin.
  • Roast Lamb Leg with Gravy.
  • My best Pulled Pork.
  • Standing Rib Roast (Prime Rib)
  • Baked Mac and Cheese.
  • Family Meat Pie.
  • Peach Cobbler.

What will I have for dinner? ›

33 Easy Dinner Ideas For When You're Not Sure What To Make
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  • Easiest One-Pot Beef with Broccoli.
May 16, 2024

What is the healthiest Chinese food to eat? ›

13 Healthiest Chinese Food Takeout Options
  1. Steamed dumplings. Dumplings offered at a Chinese restaurant are pockets of dough filled with seasoned meat and vegetables, usually pork and cabbage. ...
  2. Hot and sour soup or egg drop soup. ...
  3. Moo goo gai pan. ...
  4. Beef and broccoli. ...
  5. Chop suey. ...
  6. Chicken and broccoli. ...
  7. Baked salmon. ...
  8. Happy family.

What is the most unhealthy Chinese food dish? ›

Oftentimes, many of American-Chinese dishes are based on fried foods with heavy sauces high in fat, sodium and sugar.
  1. Crab Rangoon. Think about it. ...
  2. Barbeque Spare Ribs. ...
  3. Fried Egg Rolls. ...
  4. Fried Rice. ...
  5. Lo Mein. ...
  6. Chow Fun. ...
  7. Sweet and Sour Chicken. ...
  8. General Tso's Chicken.

What should we eat in Sunday? ›

20 Sunday dinner ideas
  • Nduja lasagne. ...
  • Harissa roast salmon with lemon & chickpea couscous. ...
  • Slow cooker gochujang short ribs with apple slaw. ...
  • Vegetarian enchiladas. ...
  • Spatchco*ck peri-peri chicken. ...
  • No-fuss shepherd's pie. ...
  • Leek, cheese & potato pie. ...
  • Chicken arrabbiata stew with parmesan dumplings.

What to do when you don't know what to eat? ›

For example, if you are craving something sweet, a bowl of fruit with yogurt or a smoothie might hit the spot. A bag of chips or a bowl of popcorn might do the trick if you are craving something salty. And if you are craving something savory, a bowl of pasta or a grilled cheese sandwich might be just what you need.

What is Italian Sunday dinner? ›

The Food at an Italian American Sunday Dinner

Every Italian-American family has its own specific menu, but we typically ate pasta and meat, which usually consisted of meatballs, sausages, beef, and pork (including brasciolla). My grandfather was a butcher, so the meat would always be fresh and prepared to perfection.

What is a good dinner that everyone would like? ›

30 Quick And Easy Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love
  • Slow-Cooker Chicken Tacos. tasty.co. ...
  • Easy Sheet Pan Southwestern Dinner. tasty.co. ...
  • Garlic Broccoli Shrimp Stir-Fry. ...
  • Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa. ...
  • One-Pot Chicken and Mushroom Pasta. ...
  • 20-Minute Beef and Broccoli Noodle Stir-Fry. ...
  • Chicken & Veggie Stir-Fry. ...
  • Baked Spaghetti.
May 6, 2024

What's for dinner when you don't want to cook? ›

These lazy dinner recipes are anything but boring.
  • 1Cheeseburger nachos. ...
  • 2Crispy Japanese sushi salmon patties. ...
  • 310-minute vegetarian pad Thai. ...
  • 4Chicken Lorraine. ...
  • 5Creamy Italian salmon tray bake. ...
  • 6Creamy French onion chicken pasta bake. ...
  • 7The ultimate cheat's gozleme. ...
  • 8Honey soy chicken with noodles.

What would be nice for dinner today? ›

Easy dinner recipes
  • Sweet potato & peanut curry. A star rating of 4.7 out of 5. ...
  • Tomato & mascarpone risotto. ...
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  • Chicken pasta bake. ...
  • App onlyGolden spiced pilaf with crispy shallots. ...
  • Sausages with lemon & rosemary roast potatoes. ...
  • Summer roast chicken traybake. ...
  • Chicken & ginger fried rice.

Which is healthier chow or Lo Mein? ›

From a nutritional standpoint, lo mein is better than chow mein, hands down. "Lo mein would be considered more nutritious because the noodles are not fried and there is less oil used in the cooking," Jaelin says. "Lo mein has less than half the calories and fat found in chow mein.

How many calories are in order of Lo Mein? ›

Nutrition Facts

There are 897 calories in a 1 order (741.000g) serving size of Restaurant, Chinese, vegetable lo mein, without meat. The calorie breakdown is 17% fat, 67% carbs, and 16% protein.

Is Lo Mein high in carbs? ›

Lo Mein (1 cup) contains 35g total carbs, 32g net carbs, 12.1g fat, 14.7g protein, and 310 calories.

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