Fall means busy weeknights, and nobody wants a 20-item grocery list when the sun sets at dinnertime. Good news: Aldi has your back. A roundup from Tasty’s Bay Nigro calls Aldi a “secret weapon” for dinners built on five ingredients or fewer, and we’re here to pull out the six best ones to put on repeat this season.
Every one of these comes together with a single pan or a quick bake, uses Aldi’s own brands, and skips the takeout delivery fee. Let’s eat.
1. Chicken Stir Fry: Takeout Night, Minus the Fee
Brown sliced Kirkwood chicken breasts, toss in a bag of Fusia frozen Asian stir fry veggies, cover for five minutes, then stir in Burman’s teriyaki sauce and cook uncovered for five more. Spoon it over Earthly Grains 90-Second White Rice and you’re done. The article says it’s “reminiscent of takeout night but without the delivery fee.”
2. Ground Turkey Taco Bowls: Meal-Prep Royalty
Brown Kirkwood ground turkey, stir in Casa Mamita taco seasoning with a splash of water, add frozen corn, and pile it on a Simply Nature quinoa-and-brown-rice pouch. Top with cheese, salsa or avocado. These are “super customizable, works for meal prep,” so cook once and eat for days.
Aldi is your secret weapon.Bay Nigro, Tasty
3. Sausage & Mushroom Tortellini Skillet: Fancy in 15
Brown sliced Simply Nature organic mild sweet Italian chicken sausage, then add Priano mushroom tortelloni straight from the package (no pre-boil) and sauté until crisp at the edges. Finish with Priano Genovese pesto and a handful of spinach. It “feels gourmet but can be whipped up in 15 minutes.”
4. Easy Paella: A Trip to Spain on a Tuesday
Brown Pueblo Lindo chorizo, add Earthly Grains Spanish Rice & Sauce, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, frozen peas and water, then simmer. Stir in frozen cooked shrimp at the end and let it rest off the heat so the bottom gets crispy. It “feels like a trip to Spain,” per the roundup.
5. Butter Chicken Bowl: Cozy in a Bowl
Sauté Kirkwood chicken tenderloins, add Burman’s butter chicken curry sauce and frozen peas, simmer, and serve over basmati rice with Specially Selected garlic naan for scooping. Perfect for a chilly October night.
6. Cheesy Ravioli Bake: Lasagna’s Lazy Cousin
Layer Priano four-cheese ravioli (frozen), tomato basil sauce and shredded mozzarella like a lasagna. Bake covered at 375°F for about 30 minutes, then uncovered for 20. The verdict: “cozy and kid-approved.”
Make It Stretch Even Further
Plan these around a smart list and you’ll waste less food: try the 5-minute grocery list trick before you shop. Want more protein? Check out our 8 high-protein Aldi finds. And if you’re in a soup-and-chili mood, our viral pumpkin chili is the next stop.
Note: “five ingredients” is a loose term, since some recipes lean on pantry staples like oil or salt, and Aldi’s stock varies by region and week, so check your store before you go.
Your Move
Pick two of these for the week, add the ingredients to your Aldi list, and let us know in the comments which one lands on your table first. Your wallet (and your Tuesday-night self) will thank you.
Photo credits: Image: Aldi (via BuzzFeed/Tasty). Recipe ideas via BuzzFeed/Tasty.
