23 Takeout Dinner Ideas That Are Easy to Make at Home

Your favorite takeout dishes, without the to-go boxes.

Beef and Broccoli with Black-Bean Garlic Sauce recipe
Credit: Yuki Sugiura

No need to download an app or pick up the phone with these takeout food recipes you can make at home any night of the week. These takeout dinner ideas will help you explore new cooking techniques—with delicious results. Some come together as fast as delivery. Before you reach for the menu to place an order, here are some takeout staples you can prep and enjoy in minutes.

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Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas

sheet pan chicken fajitas
Credit: Ren Fuller

A Tex-Mex favorite that's easy to make at home when you use our sheet pan approach. These fajitas pack chicken breast and yellow and green bell peppers into wheat tortillas. Top them with sour cream, salsa, and ripe avocado, and enjoy.

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Cashew Shrimp

spicy cashew shrimp with rice
Credit: Justin Walker

Start the rice before you begin to make this takeout-inspired supper because it only takes 20 minutes to make. Oyster sauce, garlic, and ginger deliver a big flavor to succulent sautéed shrimp while roasted cashews and sliced celery add a pleasing crunch.

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Fried Fish

fried fish
Credit: Ryan Liebe

Whether you're craving fish & chips or a Peruvian Jalea, this fried fish (and shrimp!) recipe is a game-changer thanks to its coating: simply dip them in batter first, then in panko before frying.

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Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken
Credit: David Malosh

Try making this takeout chicken and peanuts classic at home. Our recipe takes 45 minutes to the table and the technique ensures the chicken breast is moist and the sweet-sour sauce balanced just right.

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Fish Tacos With Cabbage and Lime

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Switch things up and rather than order fish tacos, make this recipe. Give fish a kick of spice by cooking it in a pan with oil and jalapeño. When done, add it to tortillas packed with crunchy cabbage slaw and garnish with cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

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Dan Dan Noodles

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Credit: Bryan Gardner

This popular Sichuan dish is made with ground pork and fresh ramen-style noodles and is characterized by strong flavors. Our version uses Chinese five-spice powder, ginger, garlic, scallions, tahini, and hot chile oil.

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Classic Margherita Pizza

classic margherita pizza
Credit: Paola + Murray

This homemade pizza will rival the slices from your favorite brick oven spot. It's topped with fresh mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and fresh basil. Make the dough in advance (or use store-bought) so that the whole pie comes together in just 20 minutes.

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Bean Burritos

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A filling, speedy dinner you can make on the spot or in batches and freeze for later.

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Test Kitchen's Favorite Buffalo Wings

buffalo wings
Credit: Johnny Fogg

Yes, you can make juicy, saucy wings at home; all you need is a large Dutch oven or stockpot and plenty of oil. A combination of sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and blue cheese is the perfect funky accompaniment to buffalo wings.

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Avocado Sushi

vegetable sushi
Credit: Joanna Garcia

You don't need to place an order for sushi—you can make your own vegetarian version at home with crisp cucumbers, crunchy carrots, and creamy avocado. Use sticky white rice and mayonnaise for easy rolling and slicing.

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Japanese Fried Rice

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Credit: Mike Krautter

The seductively savory combination of soy sauce, sake, butter, and garlic seasons this chicken-and-egg fried rice.

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Thai Chicken and Noodle Salad

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This one-bowl Asian meal is spicy, salty, sour, and sweet—all at once. The secret's in the sauce, made from fragrant kitchen staples.

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Classic Cheeseburger

burger lettuce tomato pickle cheese
Credit: Armando Rafael

Instead of grabbing a burger from your favorite fast-casual spot, craft your own #1 combo at home. Our special of the day features juicy, grass-fed beef, American cheese, thick tomato slices, dill pickle, and a shortcut special sauce of mayonnaise and ketchup.

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General Tso's Chicken

general tsos chicken in pan
Credit: Martyna Szczesna

This sweet-and-sour Chinese-American dish is one of our favorites. Toss fried chicken thighs in a finger-licking sauce made from soy sauce, chiles, garlic, ginger, and scallions.

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Creamy Baked Ziti

creamy baked ziti
Credit: Bryan Gardner

When you want to enjoy classic Italian comfort food for dinner, make a baked pasta dish. Be sure to use whole-peeled canned tomatoes, such as San Marzano, then boost their flavor with fresh garlic, basil, and olive oil.

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Shrimp Tikka Masala

Shrimp Tikka Masala

This take on tikka masala is lighter and quicker than your average delivery service. One pot, family-friendly, and under one hour? Count us in!

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Curried Steak With Scallion Rice and Peas

Curried Steak with Scallion Rice and Peas
Credit: Ren Fuller

Store-bought Massaman curry paste is used to marinate lean flank steak and create a rich pan sauce in this five-ingredient dinner, ready in less than one hour.

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Baked Salmon Sushi

salmon sushi
Credit: Joanna Garcia

Here's an easy introduction to homemade sushi. Baked, flaky salmon is paired with cucumbers, carrots, and avocado. Sticky sushi rice and a little bit of mayonnaise keep the ingredients from falling out of the nori sheets.

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Chicken Parmesan

chicken parmesan

Our take on this popular Italian-American main uses chicken cutlers that are baked not fried so the meal is a little healthier.

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Vegetarian Pho

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Credit: Mike Krautter

Making this beloved Vietnamese dish is a project but it's a truly delicious one. You can make the broth and reconstituted shitakes ahead and store it in the freezer for up to a month, or the fridge for up to three days. That way this noodle bowl can be a weeknight dinner.

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Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken
Credit: David Malosh

If you're a fan of spicy food, then this Chinese chicken dish will do the trick. In a very hot wok or skillet, lightly fry peanuts, scallions, Chinese red peppers, and garlic, then add chicken coated in cornstarch (which helps it to develop a thick glaze).

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Pork Fried Rice

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A fast and delicious option for dinner. If you have any leftover cooked rice, use it for this dish—it won't stick together in the skillet and it's an economical, tasty supper. You can also create your own version by swapping the pork for chicken or shrimp or mixing them all for a "house-special" fried rice.

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Beef and Broccoli With Black-Bean Garlic Sauce

Beef and Broccoli with Black-Bean Garlic Sauce recipe
Credit: Yuki Sugiura

This dish is an easy upgrade from the usual beef and broccoli. It's made with black-bean garlic sauce, a traditional fermented Chinese condiment. Once you try this 30-minute dinner, you'll want to keep the sauce in your pantry all the time.

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