10 Homemade Alternatives to Your Family's Favorite Takeout

It happens to the best of us. Friday night rolls around, and we're just too spent from a long week to start the dinner routine from scratch. If ordering in pizza or Chinese is a weekly ritual in your house, consider one of these homemade alternatives instead. Cooking is a healthier and more economic option than takeout, and if your kids are old enough, gathering in the kitchen to make a favorite meal together can be a fun way to kick off the weekend. Bon appétit!

01
Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant Parmesan

Cut the calories (and all that coating and frying) that come along with the eggplant parmesan from your favorite Italian place with this recipe for easy oven-baked eggplant parm. Serve alongside pasta and a green salad for a well-balanced, meatless meal. Photo: Sarah Lipoff

02
Healthy Sesame Chicken
The Way to His Heart

Healthy Sesame Chicken

Sesame chicken in a takeout container gets a bad rap for being full of grease and a high calorie count. But this variation from The Way to His Heart comes in at just about 250 calories per serving. It's also delicious with a side of brown rice.

03
Mostly Whole-Wheat Pizza
Cheese Please

Mostly Whole-Wheat Pizza

There are a million do-it-yourself variations on classic pizza, but this simple twist on tradition just substitutes white flour for (mostly) whole wheat.

04
Healthy Chicken Potstickers
Flickr user flippinyank

Healthy Chicken Potstickers

These healthy chicken potstickers are as much fun to make as they are to eat!

05
Spring Roll Sushi

Spring Roll Sushi

If the thought of making your own sushi scares you, we've got the perfect recipe to take you out of your comfort zone. This recipe for veggie spring roll sushi is easy to make and fun to eat — a perfect way to hone those chopstick skills. Photo: Sarah Lipoff

06
Pizza Muffins
Chew on That

Pizza Muffins

Want the pizza but not the mess? These pizza muffins are ideal for on-the-go eaters. Perfect for a quick meal or entertaining a gaggle of kids, this recipe from Chew on That is sure to please.

07
Beef Lo Mein
Flickr user Bordecia34

Beef Lo Mein

If your go-to grocery doesn't carry specialty items like traditional lo mein noodles, don't stress. That box of spaghetti you have sitting in the cupboard works just as well with this homemade take on beef lo mein. No need to follow the recipe to a tee, either. Customize with whatever veggies you have on hand for a quick and easy main meal or side the whole family will love.

08
Pizza Pockets

Pizza Pockets

Yet another take on dialing up Domino's or Papa John's are these adorable pizza pockets. They're supereasy to make and work perfectly for a light dinner or afternoon snack. With only a few ingredients needed, they'll be on the table in less than 20 minutes. Photo: Sarah Lipoff

09
California Pizza Kitchen's BBQ Chicken Pizza
Flickr user Seth Youngblood

California Pizza Kitchen's BBQ Chicken Pizza

We got to sneak behind the scenes at California Pizza Kitchen to discover the secrets behind its famed (for good reason) BBQ chicken pizza that your kids will adore.

10
Pad Thai
Flickr user Luca Nebuloni

Pad Thai

Make the sauce for this authentic approach to pad thai in advance to speed the process along.