If you want to know how to copy your favorite Macaroni Grill recipes, keep reading!

We all know that things are not going so well on the economic front. As a result, we are all looking for ways to cut back. But we are human, and I know for myself that there are very few things that I am willing to do without. However, I’m not that stubborn in knowing that I can have the same things, just in a more profitable way. I admit that one of my weaknesses is going out to eat. There’s something about the Seafood Alfredo at one of the restaurants down the street that makes me crave it at the strangest of times. If I could do it at home, I wouldn’t be stopped by cost, time, or even having to leave the house.

Something like Seafood Alfredo is pretty common, and you can find recipes online pretty quickly. But it’s not the same as the restaurant’s Alfredo. Alfredo sauce is more or less Alfredo sauce, but the little extra spices and the combination of seafood they use is what makes it special. Check the internet to see if someone has posted your favorite restaurant’s recipe. Sometimes all it takes is one disgruntled employee to reveal secrets.

Failing that, treat yourself to dining out. But don’t just order, eat and leave. You are on a mission. Mention to your server that the Alfredo sauce tastes a little different than the Alfredo sauce he makes and would love to know what they use for that extra flavor. The server might know and be able to tell you. If you ask nicely, they might even try to find out from the cooks. You can even ask to see the chef. If you’re going to use this tactic, make sure you don’t go during peak hours. Go when there is a lull in customers and you have a better chance of getting one on one.

You can discover many of the ingredients simply by dissecting your food. If you know they use shrimp, scallops, mussels, lobster, and crab, you can take that information and make a reasonable facsimile of dinner at home. Try to find out how the seafood was cooked. Did they grill the scallops? Are the mussels drenched in a garlic wine sauce? Don’t be afraid to take notes. People won’t even notice what you’re doing.

Once you have that information, you can start doing it at home. It may take a few tries to get it perfect, but eventually you’ll be able to make your favorite dish at home.

To get you started, here’s a recipe for doubling up on Macaroni Grill’s Shrimp Portofino:

2 teaspoons finely minced garlic
1/2 cup melted butter
16 large shrimp, clean and deveined
16 medium mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 fresh garlic cloves, crushed, peeled and minced
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (fresh is best for flavor)
1 jar of marinated artichoke hearts (drain before using)
4 lemon slices
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (do not use dried parsley)

Sauté mushrooms and garlic in butter until almost tender. Add shrimp and sauté until shrimp are cooked (not translucent, but don’t overcook), about 3 minutes. Add remaining ingredients (except lemon and fresh parsley) and heat through.

Serve over the pasta of your choice. Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.