Ditch the diner: 29 better-at-home Thursday dishes

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Say goodbye to the days of waiting for your meal at a crowded, noisy diner. With these 29 dishes, you’ll want to embrace the comfort and convenience of home-cooked meals.

Hashbrown casserole being served.
Hashbrown Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Slices of cucumber tossed in spicy Korean dressing.
Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

This salad is the perfect blend of spice and crunch that you’d pay extra for at a restaurant. It’s satisfying, refreshing, and totally addictive. Once you taste it, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for that bland diner side salad.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Tortilla Pizza

Four tortilla pizzas on a wooden cutting board.
Tortilla Pizza. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Skip the delivery! With a tortilla pizza, you get a crispy crust and all the toppings you love, tailored to your taste. No more soggy, overpriced pizzas that just disappoint.
Get the Recipe: Tortilla Pizza

Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

Air fried cinnamon rolls in an air fryer basket.
Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Imagine waking up to cinnamon rolls that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. And guess what? No oven preheating needed. It’s a breakfast game-changer that’ll make you forget the local bakery.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

Baked Brie

A baked brie with walnuts and thyme, with a jar of honey next to it.
Baked Brie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Ditch the overpriced cheese platter at the diner. A wheel of baked brie is pure indulgence and elevates any gathering. Add your choice of fruits or nuts, and you’ve got a showstopper.
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie

Dauphinoise Potatoes

An oven dish with baked dauphinoise potatoes in it.
Dauphinoise Potatoes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Forget those half-cooked, bland potatoes at the diner. This dish is creamy, delicious, and the potatoes are cooked to perfection. It’s a rich and satisfying side that complements any main course.
Get the Recipe: Dauphinoise Potatoes

Pumpkin Cheesecake

A person holding a piece of pumpkin cheesecake on a fork.
Pumpkin Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

This isn’t just another dessert; it’s an experience. It offers a twist on traditional cheesecake and outshines any diner’s stale dessert menu. Seriously, why pay more for less?
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake

Hashbrown Casserole

Hashbrown casserole being served.
Hashbrown Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Nothing says comfort food like a hashbrown casserole. It’s hearty, filling, and tastes like home. Trust us, you’ll never miss that greasy diner version again.
Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

Hasselback Potatoes

Roasted hasselback potatoes on a baking sheet with parmesan.
Hasselback Potatoes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

These aren’t your average spuds. The unique slicing technique ensures a crispy texture that you won’t find at any diner. Plus, they’re just fun to eat.
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Potatoes

Mozzarella Sticks

Someone pulling a mozzarella stick apart and showing the stretchy cheese.
Mozzarella Sticks. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Why settle for rubbery, tasteless mozzarella sticks at a diner when you can have gooey, delicious bites at home? They’re easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Mozzarella Sticks

25 Minute Black Bean Burger

A black bean burger in a burger bap with relish oozing out over it.
25 Minute Black Bean Burger. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

In the time it takes for a diner to mess up your burger order, you could be biting into a delicious black bean burger. It’s quick, satisfying, and you control the toppings.
Get the Recipe: 25 Minute Black Bean Burger

Sopapilla Cheesecake

A piece of cheesecake on a plate next to a bowl.
Sopapilla Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

If you haven’t had sopapilla cheesecake, you’re missing out. It’s a dessert that offers layers of flavor and textures that you won’t find on any diner menu.
Get the Recipe: Sopapilla Cheesecake

Pizza Rolls

Freshly made pizza rolls stacked on each other.
Pizza Rolls. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Forget the frozen, processed stuff. These pizza rolls are filled with your favorite toppings and baked to perfection. No diner can offer this level of customization.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls

Cranberry Brie Bites

A tray of cranberry brie bites with walnut topping.
Cranberry Brie Bites. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

These aren’t just appetizers; they’re conversation starters. With a unique blend of sweet and savory, they put those standard diner appetizers to shame.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites

Copycat Chipotle Black Beans

Chipotle black beans cooked and in a serving bowl.
Copycat Chipotle Black Beans. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Tired of the standard, mushy black beans at diners? This recipe captures the smoky, spicy flavors you love, minus the restaurant price tag.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Black Beans

Easy Flatbread

Three freshly cooked flatbreads on a plate.
Easy Flatbread. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

You won’t find a flatbread this good at any diner. Perfectly crispy and completely customizable, it’s the side dish that’s stealing the main course spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Easy Flatbread

Cinnamon Pie

A slice of cinnamon pie on a cake slice over the remaining pie.
Cinnamon Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Break free from the typical diner dessert rut. This cinnamon pie offers a surprising twist on a classic, leaving you wondering why you ever settled for less.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Pie

Sweet Potato Cubes

Sweet potato cubes on a plate with a dipping sauce.
Sweet Potato Cubes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

These are not your average side dish. They’re crispy, tasty, and provide a burst of flavor that you’ll never get from diner fries.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cubes

Vegetable Fritters

Vegetable fritters in a stack.
Vegetable Fritters. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Looking for a side that’s both nutritious and delicious? Look no further. These vegetable fritters are far superior to any greasy diner alternative.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Fritters

Pecan Pie Cheesecake

A slice of pecan pie being served on a cake slice.
Pecan Pie Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Two desserts in one, and it’s a knockout. Forget choosing between pecan pie and cheesecake at the diner; you can have both in one mouthwatering slice.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Cheesecake

Burrito Seasoning

Homemade burrito seasoning on a teaspoon.
Burrito Seasoning. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Why settle for bland, diner-style burritos? A sprinkle of this seasoning brings any burrito to life, making your homemade version a definite winner.
Get the Recipe: Burrito Seasoning

Egg Bites

Egg Bites on a board with a little parsley on top.
Egg Bites. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Light, fluffy, and packed with protein, these egg bites make those greasy diner scrambled eggs look like child’s play.
Get the Recipe: Egg Bites

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Pumpkin pie spice in a bowl with a spoon.
Pumpkin Pie Spice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Ready to elevate your fall desserts? This pumpkin pie spice blend is superior to any store-bought version, making that diner pumpkin pie taste like cardboard.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Spice

Mississippi Mud Pie

A slice of Mississippi mud pie on a plate.
Mississippi Mud Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Layers of chocolate, cream, and a buttery crust. Need we say more? You’ll never crave that uninspired diner chocolate cake again.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Mud Pie

Waffles

Freshly made waffles on a plate with strawberries.
Waffles. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, these waffles are what breakfast dreams are made of. Say goodbye to those soggy diner imitations.
Get the Recipe: Waffles

Pizza Sauce

Pizza sauce spread over a pizza crust.
Pizza Sauce. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A pizza is only as good as its sauce, and this one’s a winner. It beats any generic, watery sauce from the diner, hands down.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Sauce

Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes

Breakfast potatoes in a serving bowl, with serving spoons and a small bowl of fresh parsley.
Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Want crispy, flavorful potatoes without the greasiness of a diner? Your air fryer is the secret weapon for breakfast potatoes that will win you over.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes

Maple Ketchup

Maple ketchup in a jar with a spoon about to drizzle it on sweet potato wedges.
Maple Ketchup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Once you try this, you’ll never go back to the generic diner ketchup. It adds an unexpected but delightful sweetness to fries, burgers, and more.
Get the Recipe: Maple Ketchup

Cacio e Pepe

A plate of spaghetti with parmesan cheese on a green cloth.
Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Simple ingredients, big flavors. That’s Cacio e Pepe for you. It’s a pasta dish that makes those diner spaghetti nights look downright pitiful.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe

Potato Skins

Potato skins with sour cream and sliced scallions.
Potato Skins. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

These potato skins offer everything you want in a snack: crunch, flavor, and satisfaction. They’re a far cry from the soggy versions you’ll find at a diner.
Get the Recipe: Potato Skins

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