7 Aldi Finds for Quick and Easy Meals

Aldi Rotisserie-Style Pulled Chicken

Zero roasting, shredding, or pulling meat off of bones is required when you have shredded chicken already prepped for use. In addition to recommendations from content creators, Reddit users also adore this product, with an entire thread dedicated to their love of the shredded chicken. 

Redditors suggest a few ways to use this protein for easy meals, like adding it to quesadillas or turning it into chicken salad, but the options are really endless. Use it for sandwiches, soups, wraps, or put it on top of a fresh green salad. If you’re in need of a fast protein option that can adapt to any dish, this is it.

Priano Genovese Pesto

I realize that jarred pesto isn’t groundbreaking, but what makes this rendition of the sauce from Aldi’s Italian private label Priano so special is its ingredient list. As creator Bobby Parish points out, Aldi’s pesto is, well, actually pesto. The product does include sunflower oil and cashew nuts, which are common in many jarred pestos, but its two primary ingredients are basil and olive oil — and it uses real grana padano cheese. As a point of comparison, many other store-bought jars of pesto contain only sunflower oil or soybean oil, with no olive oil, and also add potato flakes for texture.

For its price point ($2.59 at my nearest Aldi location), this pesto is an excellent choice. You can use it in the obvious way — as an instant pasta sauce — but it’s also excellent drizzled on top of pizza, inside a grilled cheese, or as a simple marinade for salmon.

Breakfast Best Protein French Toast Sticks

Major Aldi fans may already have this popular breakfast option on their radar. The frozen French toast sticks have a coating of cinnamon sugar on the outside, so they taste like a sweet treat, but they also contain 12 grams of protein per serving. Whether you have a kid who’s a picky eater in need of more protein, or you want a quick breakfast option that isn’t a container of yogurt, these will come in handy. And luckily they don’t have to be reheated in a toaster or oven; you can simply microwave them and then serve.

Specially Selected Tomato Parmesan Bisque Soup

In the words of one Aldi fan on Reddit, “Oh my god, this soup was DIVINE!!! Like $4.29 for a jar where I live but unforgettably good!!!” Although the bisque was unavailable for a period of time, customers have found it back in stores in recent months, and some are even stocking up on it in case it disappears again. Unlike many other canned tomato soups, this creamy rendition tastes luxurious and rich, but without a notable price increase. I’ll be enjoying it with a classic grilled cheese, but it would also be excellent with croutons on top or a salad on the side.

Appetitos Spinach Artichoke Dip

Here at Food & Wine we’re big believers that snacks can absolutely be transformed into dinner. If it’s delicious, satisfying to you, and you have enough food for a meal, then that’s dinner. One of my favorite snack dinners is any kind of dip; especially if you can dunk both chips and crudités in it. For a quick dip that’s warm and comforting during the winter months, snag the spinach artichoke dip that content creators recommend every time it’s in stock. It’s excellent on pita chips or scooped up with leaves of endive. And if you love it, make sure to stock up before the Big Game!

Specially Selected Boardwalk-Style Crab Cakes

Considering that a box of two of these crab cakes rings in for around $6, you could have a luxurious meal for a steal. Consumers often prefer the Boardwalk-style frozen crab cakes, which have more finely chopped crab plus peppers and spices, but Aldi does also sell Maryland-style crab cakes. One review from a customer notes that “You can actually taste crab in these and not just batter like most other frozen crab cakes.”

These savory treats would be excellent served simply on top of a salad, but if you really feel like treating yourself, I recommend turning them into a crab cake BLT. 

Priano Parmigiano Reggiano and Truffle Heart Shape Ravioli

Are these cheesy? Yes! Literally and figuratively. But engaging in a little seasonal cheesiness is always a good idea, especially when that comes in the form of heart-shaped ravioli with a truffle and Parmigiano Reggiano filling, and regular Aldi patrons recommend them too. Because these ravioli are fresh and refrigerated, they’ll cook even more quickly than dried pasta — exactly what you need on a busy night. Snag a jar of the Priano pesto to toss them in, and maybe a can of cannellini beans for some added protein and heft. You could have dinner on the table in under 15 minutes, plus leftovers for lunch the next day.