Recreating your favourite restaurant dishes at home has never been easier – especially when your slow cooker’s doing all the hard work. These clever copycat recipes capture the flavours of some of Britain’s most-loved high street meals without the hefty bill or the wait.
With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of patience, you can whip up classics that taste just as good as the originals – perfect for cosy nights in when you fancy something special without the fuss.
This article is for general informational purposes only. Recipe results, cooking times, and flavour may vary depending on equipment, ingredients, and preparation methods. Photos are for illustrative purposes only.
1. Wagamama Chicken Katsu Curry
Did you know that katsu curry has become one of Britain's most ordered dishes, overtaking traditional favourites in popularity polls? Wagamama's version is legendary for its sweet, mild curry sauce and crispy panko coating.
Your slow cooker handles the sauce beautifully, blending curry powder, coconut milk, and a touch of honey until it's silky smooth. Bread and fry your chicken separately for that essential crunch, then serve it sliced over rice with the curry ladled generously on top. It's restaurant quality without the hefty price tag or the trek to the shopping centre.
2. Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken
Nando's arrived in the UK in 1992 and quickly became a national obsession, with queues snaking round the block for that signature spicy kick. The secret lies in the marinade, a fiery blend of African bird's eye chillies, garlic, and citrus.
Your slow cooker transforms chicken thighs into tender, fall apart perfection whilst infusing every bite with that unmistakable peri-peri punch. Adjust the heat level to your liking, from lemon and herb mild to extra hot. Serve with chips and coleslaw for the full experience, minus the restaurant wait time.
3. PizzaExpress Pollo ad Astra Pasta
PizzaExpress isn't just about pizza; their pasta dishes have quietly earned a loyal following among regulars. Pollo ad Astra combines tender chicken with a creamy white wine and mushroom sauce that's pure comfort in a bowl.
The slow cooker method keeps the chicken succulent whilst melding the garlic, cream, and herbs into something special. Toss with penne or fusilli just before serving, and finish with a generous handful of parmesan. It's the sort of dish that makes you wonder why you ever bothered booking a table.
4. Toby Carvery Roast Beef with Gravy
Sunday roasts are woven into British culture like tea and biscuits, and Toby Carvery has built an empire on unlimited gravy and Yorkshire puddings. Their beef is tender enough to cut with a fork, swimming in that glorious, savoury gravy we all crave.
A slow cooker joint becomes impossibly tender after six hours on low, practically melting as you slice it. Make the gravy from the cooking juices, thickened with a bit of cornflour and seasoned to perfection. Serve with all the trimmings for a proper Sunday spread, minus the carvery queue.
5. Zizzi Spaghetti Pomodoro
Sometimes the simplest dishes are the hardest to get right, and Zizzi's Pomodoro proves that quality ingredients trump complexity every time. This classic Italian sauce relies on ripe tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil for its clean, vibrant flavour.
Slow cooking allows the tomatoes to break down naturally, creating a rich, sweet sauce without any bitterness. A splash of olive oil and a pinch of sugar balance the acidity perfectly. Toss with al dente spaghetti and top with parmesan for a dish that's deceptively simple yet utterly satisfying.
6. Greggs Steak Bake Filling
Greggs sells roughly two million steak bakes every week, making it one of Britain's most beloved savoury pastries. The filling is the star: chunky beef in a thick, peppery gravy that's pure comfort food.
Recreate it in your slow cooker by braising diced beef with onions, stock, and plenty of seasoning until it's meltingly tender. Spoon the filling into shop bought puff pastry, seal, and bake until golden. You'll have fresh, hot steak bakes whenever the craving strikes, no high street queue required. It's brilliant for batch cooking and freezing too.
7. Frankie & Benny's BBQ Pulled Pork
American style diners might not be traditionally British, but Frankie & Benny's has been a fixture on our high streets since 1995. Their pulled pork is sticky, smoky, and impossibly tender, falling apart at the gentlest prod of a fork.
A pork shoulder in the slow cooker with BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and spices becomes restaurant worthy with virtually no effort. Shred it after eight hours and pile it high in brioche buns with coleslaw. It's perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week ahead.
8. Wetherspoons Chicken Tikka Masala
Wetherspoons serves thousands of curries every day, and their Chicken Tikka Masala remains the most popular choice across the chain. Britain's love affair with this dish dates back decades, and it's often called our unofficial national dish.
Your slow cooker creates a creamy, mildly spiced sauce that's every bit as good as the pub version. Marinate chicken in yoghurt and spices, then let it simmer in tomato, cream, and garam masala until tender. Serve with rice and naan for a proper Friday night curry, minus the sticky pub carpet.
9. Bella Italia Carbonara
Carbonara divides purists, but Bella Italia's version has won over British diners with its creamy, indulgent sauce. Traditionalists might argue about cream, but there's no denying how comforting this dish is after a long day.
Slow cook pancetta until crispy, then combine with cream, parmesan, and egg yolks for a sauce that coats every strand of spaghetti. The slow cooker keeps everything at the perfect temperature, preventing the eggs from scrambling. It's rich, satisfying, and tastes like you've splashed out at an Italian restaurant without leaving your kitchen.
