About CopyKat.com

Craving your go-to meal from Olive Garden, Panera Bread, or Chick-fil-A? At CopyKat.com, you’ll find nearly 2,000 easy-to-follow recipes that recreate your favorite restaurant dishes right in your own kitchen. Whether you’re looking to save money, eat healthier, or enjoy restaurant-style meals without the wait, you’re in the right place.

Each recipe is kitchen-tested, written with step-by-step instructions, and many include video tutorials to guide you every step of the way. So even if dining out isn’t an option, those familiar flavors you love are just a few ingredients away.

Why CopyKat?

CopyKat.com started with a simple goal: to bring restaurant-style meals home. I grew up in a small town where eating out was a rare treat. For us, dining at Olive Garden meant a three-hour round trip. So, when my family loved a dish, we recreated it ourselves.

In 1995, I began sharing those recipes online. Both cherished family recipes and copycat creations. What started as a personal archive has become one of the internet’s most trusted sources for restaurant-style recipes at home.

Today, millions of home cooks visit CopyKat.com to:

Enjoy the fun and satisfaction of cooking restaurant-style meals at home
Customize recipes to fit dietary needs
Recreate beloved dishes at a lower cost

What Makes a CopyKat Recipe?

No matter the dish, all CopyKat recipes share three key traits:

✅ Easy-to-Find Ingredients
You won’t need to scour specialty stores. Every recipe uses ingredients found in most local grocery stores.

✅ Simple Instructions
You don’t need to be a chef! Follow along with clear, straightforward steps.

✅ No Fancy Equipment Required
All recipes are designed for real home kitchens. No commercial gear is needed!

About Stephanie Manley

Hi, I’m Stephanie Manley, the creator of CopyKat.com. I’ve been developing copycat recipes since 1995 and am passionate about helping you create memorable meals at home. I believe cooking is not only about food—it’s about connection, comfort, and creativity.

I’ve been featured on Great Day Houston and the Living Well Network, and my recipes have appeared in BuzzFeed, Parade, MSN, Country Living, PopSugar, SeriousEats, and many more. My YouTube channel has over 900 videos to help you recreate your favorites with confidence.

Books I’ve authored:

My educational background includes degrees in Environmental Science and Business and an MBA from Houston Baptist University. I’ve also taken culinary courses at LeNotre Culinary Institute to refine the techniques behind my recreations.

CopyKat Recipes are loved! Don’t Take My Word for it!

My recipes have appeared in a variety of places, Buzzfeed, Parade.com, Country Living, PopSugar, CNet.com, Social Media Examiner, Mental Floss, MSN.com, Tacobell.com, Eater.com, SpoonUniversity, SeriousEats, Today.com, and many more.

Speaking Events

I love connecting with fellow creators and food enthusiasts. I’ve spoken at leading conferences, including BlogHer, Blog Elevated, Techmunch Austin, and the Food and Wine Conference. Locally, I’ve presented at SearchHouston and the Houston WordPress Meetup Group.

The Restaurant Daily Dish Podcast

Brand Partnerships

I’ve partnered with quality brands to bring value to readers, including:

Glad Plastic Wrap
StarKist Tuna
Johnsonville Sausage
Hunt’s Tomato Sauce
And many more

If you’re a brand looking to reach passionate home cooks, let’s collaborate!

People always ask, Do restaurants get angry that you copy their recipes?

The answer is No! Over the years, many restaurants have shared their recipes with me, invited me into their kitchens, had me try their food in preview dinners, and some have even allowed me to have tasting menus with my blog readers. While you can cook food just like a restaurant, you can’t replace your experience in a restaurant.

Get Cooking!

Whether you’re here for a taste of nostalgia, to learn new techniques, or to save on takeout—thank you for visiting CopyKat.com. Let’s cook something delicious together!