19 Homemade Meals My Family Loves More Than Takeout
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Takeout is tempting, but nothing beats a homemade meal that’s fresher and more delicious. These recipes are the ones my family actually begs for, flavor-packed, easy to make, and perfect for lazy days when I need something on the table without the hassle. Skip the takeout and try these homemade favorites.
Apricot Chicken
This apricot chicken is the perfect homemade dinner that my family loves more than takeout. Juicy, tender chicken is coated in a sweet and savory apricot glaze and baked to perfection. Delicious but with minimal effort, making it a lifesaver on lazy nights when I need a meal that everyone will devour.
Get the Recipe: Apricot Chicken
Easy Cheeseburger Pie
This homemade cheeseburger pie is a go-to weeknight meal that disappears faster than any fast-food burger. Made with simple ingredients you probably already have, it’s a comforting, cheesy, and family-approved dinner. My crew always asks for seconds, which means this one is here to stay in our meal rotation.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheeseburger Pie
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
This chicken bacon ranch casserole is everything you love about a great meal, creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. It’s got tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a ranch-seasoned sauce that bakes into pure comfort food perfection. My family prefers this homemade goodness over anything we could order out, and I don’t blame them.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Slow Cooker Taco Soup
This slow cooker taco soup is rich, hearty, and packed with bold flavors that make every spoonful irresistible. Loaded with tender chicken, fresh cabbage, and all the taco spices, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a comforting homemade meal with family without any extra work. Just set it and forget it, dinner practically makes itself.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Taco Soup
Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken
This slow cooker cheesy ranch chicken is the meal that gets requested the most in my house. Juicy chicken slow-cooked in a creamy, cheesy ranch sauce makes for a ridiculously good dinner with zero effort. Forget takeout, this is the kind of homemade meal that keeps everyone in my family coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken
Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet
This Italian beef and cauliflower rice skillet is a one-pan wonder that’s ready in minutes. Ground beef is cooked in a creamy tomato sauce, mixed with cauliflower rice, and topped with melted mozzarella for the ultimate comforting homemade dinner. My family swears it’s better than anything from a restaurant, and I have to agree.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet
Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken
Bring a little restaurant magic home with this copycat Ruth’s Chris stuffed chicken. Cream cheese, cheddar, and ranch seasoning are tucked inside juicy chicken breasts and baked to golden perfection. It’s a homemade version of a fancy favorite, and my family loves it even more than the original.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken
Green Bean Hamburger Casserole
This green bean hamburger casserole is what happens when homemade comfort food meets convenience. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with hearty ground beef, it’s a warm and delicious meal that my family always devoured. It’s easy, budget-friendly, and way better than anything I could pick up on the way home.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Hamburger Casserole
Herb-Crusted Chicken
This homemade herb-crusted chicken is full of bold flavors and is surprisingly simple to make. Juicy, tender chicken is coated in a crispy herb seasoning that tastes even better than restaurant-style roasted chicken. It’s my family’s go-to dinner because it’s both effortless and guaranteed to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Herb-Crusted Chicken
Parmesan Crusted Chicken
My family would pick this parmesan crusted chicken over takeout any night of the week. The juicy chicken breasts are coated in a crispy, cheesy crust that’s full of flavor and comes together in no time. It’s the perfect easy homemade dinner when I want something delicious without any hassle.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker
This homemade salsa chicken is a foolproof dinner that’s always a hit at my house. Simply toss chicken breasts and salsa into the slow cooker, and let it work its magic while everyone in the family eagerly waits. The result is tender, flavorful, and just the right amount of spicy chicken, perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or enjoying straight off the plate.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker
Low-Carb Meat Pie
This low-carb meat pie is a hearty, cheesy, and protein-packed meal that satisfies every craving. With a simple coconut flour crust and a rich ground beef filling, it’s a homemade dinner that’s way more delicious than anything from a drive-thru. One slice, and you’ll understand why my family loves it so much.
Get the Recipe: Low-Carb Meat Pie
Parmesan Chicken Wings
These parmesan chicken wings are crispy, cheesy, and packed with finger-licking flavor. Baked until golden brown and loaded with savory herbs, they’re the ultimate homemade alternative to takeout wings. My family devours them every time, and I love that they’re so easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Chicken Wings
Pineapple Teriyaki Pork Chops
These pineapple teriyaki pork chops bring a perfect mix of sweet and savory to the dinner table. Marinated in a blend of pineapple juice and teriyaki sauce, then baked to tender perfection, they’re juicy and packed with flavor. My family raves about this homemade version and I love that they’re simple enough for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Teriyaki Pork Chops
Carne Asada with Cauliflower Rice
This carne asada with cauliflower rice is my go-to solution for takeout cravings. Tender, perfectly seasoned beef pairs with fluffy cauliflower rice for a nutrient-packed, flavorful meal. No marinades, no complicated steps, just a simple, delicious homemade dinner that my family always raves about.
Get the Recipe: Carne Asada with Cauliflower Rice
Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs
Bacon-wrapped chicken thighs are the ultimate homemade meal that beats takeout any day. Crispy bacon, juicy chicken, and simple seasonings create a dish that’s packed with flavor in every bite. It’s an easy dinner that feels fancy, but takes minimal effort, just the kind of meal me and my family loves.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs
Homemade Taco Bar
Forget takeout tacos, this homemade taco bar is where it’s at. Load up tortillas with perfectly seasoned meat, fresh toppings, and all your favorite sauces for a fun, customizable meal. It’s a guaranteed family hit, and I love that everyone can make their plate just how they like it.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Taco Bar
Vegetable and Ground Beef Skillet
This vegetable and ground beef skillet is a simple and easy one-pan dinner that’s full of flavor. With simple ingredients and minimal cleanup, it’s the perfect way to get a lighter homemade meal on the table fast. My family loves it, and I love how effortless it is to make.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable and Ground Beef Skillet
Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs
These mozzarella-stuffed meatballs are the cheesy, saucy, irresistible meal my family begs for on repeat. Just three ingredients and five minutes of prep time turn into the most delicious homemade meatballs that are perfect over pasta, in a sub, or on their own. One bite, and you’ll never settle for takeout meatballs again.
Get the Recipe: Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs
