Hidden Copycat Gems: 5 Recipes You Haven’t Tried Yet (But Should)


Hey friend,

Every now and then, I like to delve into the CopyKat vault and select a few recipes that don’t receive the attention they deserve. These are the “quiet achievers” — recipes that may not have gone viral, but they deliver big flavor and comfort.

If you’ve made the classics like Olive Garden Alfredo or Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese, these next picks are your next step. They’re just as delicious, but often overlooked.

Here are five hidden gems you’ll love trying this week 👇

1. Olive Garden Three-Meat Sauce
Before the spicy version was released, there was this delicious three-meat version.

2. Luby’s Shredded Carrot Salad
A Texas cafeteria classic with sweet pineapple and crunchy carrots. Nostalgia in every bite.

3. Olive Garden Brownie Banana Funtastico
Layers of brownie, pudding, and whipped cream. It’s dessert theater at home.

4. Panda Express String Bean Chicken
Light, garlicky, and stir-fried to perfection. Pair it with steamed rice for a takeout-style dinner that’s ready in minutes.

5. Houston’s Spicy Caesar Dressing
Creamy with a little kick — it makes any salad feel restaurant-worthy.

🛒 In My Kitchen

When I make these recipes, I reach for my tried-and-true kitchen helpers:

OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set – Perfect for tossing salads, mixing batters, or coating veggies for roasting.
Nordic Ware Naturals Quarter Sheet Pan – Bakes everything evenly from brownies to cauliflower.
Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender – Handy for blending sauces and dressings right in the bowl.

(As always, some links are affiliate links. If you shop through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting CopyKat.com — it helps keep the recipes coming!)

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