38 Cafeteria Copycat Recipes That’ll Take You Back

Read Time: 17 mins

38 Cafeteria Copycat Recipes That’ll Take You Back1/38 Walking Tacos 38 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved ALEJANDRO MONFORT FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 40 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These Walking Tacos are perfect for an on-the-go dinner, a campfire meal or an easy game-night supper. The ingredients go right into the chip bags! —Beverly Matthews, Richland, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (calculated without toppings): 530 calories, 28g fat (6g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 1017mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 24g protein. 2/38 Bacon-Turkey Subs 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of

When it gets colder, we pull out our countertop grill to make melts

Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: On balmy fall days, this sweet and smoky sandwich is a big treat. When it gets colder, we pull out our countertop grill to make melts. Just switch to pita bread. —Rachel Bindulski, Corolla, NC Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 524 calories, 27g fat (12g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 1202mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein. 3/38 Frosted Brownies 66 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Frosted Brownies Recipe photo by Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 2

dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A neighbor brought over a pan of these rich fudge brownies along with the recipe when I came home from the hospital with our baby daughter. I asked her how to make brownie frosting like that, and I’ve made them ever since for family occasions, potlucks and parties at work. —Sue Soderlund, Elgin, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 brownie: 277 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 248mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. 4/38 Sloppy Joe Dogs 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sloppy Joe Dogs Recipe photo by

Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: There are so many different ways to top a hot dog, but this tasty sloppy joe version beats them all! —Kimberly Wallace, Dennison, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 hot dog: 422 calories, 23g fat (9g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 959mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein. 5/38 Cheesy Quesadillas 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cheesy Quesadillas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 12 pieces Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We serve these quesadillas as

chili dippers or load them up with salsa and sour cream for a super starter

chili dippers or load them up with salsa and sour cream for a super starter. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 111 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 203mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 6/38 Chilled Fruit Cups 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 18 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This refreshing frozen salad is easy to assemble ahead and serve to a group at breakfast – or any time of day. It’s a convenient and colorful addition to a holiday buffet.

Their convenient size makes them ideal for a breakfast buffet

—Andrea Hawthorne, Mozeman, Montana Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 141 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 3mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 7/38 French Toast Sticks 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved French Toast Sticks Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 1-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Keep these French toast sticks in the freezer for an instant filling breakfast. Their convenient size makes them ideal for a breakfast buffet. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 3 sticks: 183 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 145mg cholesterol,

251mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein

251mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein. 8/38 Philly Cheesesteak 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Philly Cheesesteak Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This cheesesteak, an iconic sandwich in Philly, is a bestseller at Pat’s King of Steaks restaurant. Patrons praise its thinly cut beef and crusty Italian rolls. —Frank Olivieri, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich (calculated without optional ingredeints or cheese): 714 calories, 49g fat (12g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 299mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 36g protein. 9/38

I usually top it with M&M’s

Chocolate Pudding 132 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Homemade Chocolate Pudding Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This delightful pudding is always a treat and easy to whip up with pantry staples. I usually top it with M&M’s. My husband prefers whipped topping, and our daughter loves to dip fresh strawberries in hers. —Carrina Cooper, McAlpin, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 196 calories, 4g fat, 2mg cholesterol, 244mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate, 5g protein. 10/38 Sloppy Joe Recipe 113 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sloppy Joes Sandwiches Recipe photo

You’ll love this quick, easy and economical dish

by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You’ll love this quick, easy and economical dish. Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness, both for traditional sandwiches on buns or as a down-home topping for rice, biscuits or baked potatoes. —Laurie Hauser, Rochester, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 439 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1360mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein. 11/38 Homemade Corn Dogs 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Corn Dogs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings

Both kids and grown-ups will love this hearty corn dog batter

10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Prepare corn dogs at home just like you’d get at the fair. Both kids and grown-ups will love this hearty corn dog batter. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana Nutrition Facts: 1 corn dog: 316 calories, 23g fat (7g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 588mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein. 12/38 Crispy Sage Chicken Tenders 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Crispy Sage Chicken Tenders Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: One of my mom’s favorite chicken

recipes used fresh sage

recipes used fresh sage. Her version was smothered with gravy, but we like these panko-crusted tenders as they are. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan 13/38 Cheese Fries 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Cheese Fries Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I came up with this recipe after my daughter had cheese fries at a restaurant and couldn’t stop talking about them. She loves that I can fix them so quickly at home. Plus, the frozen fry packets can be refrigerated and

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat

reheated. —Melissa Tatum, Greensboro, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 129 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 255mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat. 14/38 Meat Loaf Muffins 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Meat Loaf Muffins Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Serve these tangy meat loaf muffins for dinner or slice them up for a take-along sandwich lunch. They’re just as flavorful after freezing. —Cheryl Norwood, Canton, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 2 mini meat loaves:

Since I always have these basic ingredients on hand,

260 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 350mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein. 15/38 Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars 93 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 20 bars Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family loves this peanut butter cookie bars recipe—oatmeal, brownie bars, peanuts—it’s made from all our favorite things! Oatmeal, peanut butter and chocolate chips make these bars a big hit with kids of all ages. Since I always have these basic ingredients on hand, I

can whip up a batch anytime

can whip up a batch anytime. —Patricia Staudt, Marble Rock, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 1 bar: 216 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 170mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. 16/38 Spaghetti Meatball Supper 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 15 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It was such a joy to come home and find my mom making spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. This recipe has always been dear to my heart. —Debbie Heggie, Laramie, Wyoming Nutrition Facts: 1 cup (calculated without spaghetti):

This cake gets better the longer it sits, so I try to make it a day ahead

254 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 798mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein. 17/38 White Texas Sheet Cake 109 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JoJO Baccam for Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 20 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This cake gets better the longer it sits, so I try to make it a day ahead. My mother-in-law introduced this deliciously rich sheet cake to me. With its creamy frosting and light almond flavor, no one can stop at just one piece! —Joanie Ward, Brownsburg, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1 piece:

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