Kitchn Love Letters

The $1 Aldi Grocery I’ll Stock in My Pantry Forever

Patty Catalano
Patty CatalanoFood Editor at The Kitchn
The only subject that has ever held my attention has been food, because there’s no end to what you can taste, smell, learn, and cook. I patchworked my way to recipe development and food writing by earning degrees in Family & Consumer Sciences (you may have known it as Home Ec) and Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Science, and working anywhere that would take me: university food services, local bakeries, and the set of Good Eats on Food Network. Early on, I asked my mom how she knew what a cookbook recipe (with no pictures) would look and taste like. While my mom was there to teach me, I realized that not everyone has someone to turn to for trusted cooking guidance. I try every day to be that person for The Kitchn’s readers by sharing smart recipes they can feel proud to serve. Recipe development is the most fun job I can imagine, but it also comes with a lot of dirty dishes and hours spent in the grocery store. I’ve found that I actually really love grocery shopping — especially at Costco and Aldi — and it brings me such joy to share my finds with The Kitchn readers.
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published Feb 23, 2024
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Aldi shoppers like me know that a smaller grocery budget does not mean settling for lower quality. If you’re taking control of your household budget, try making Aldi your first stop for groceries. Aldi is a quirky discount grocer that has earned a reputation for selling essential ingredients and fun-to-try foods — all at affordable prices. 

Credit: Abigail McCann/Shutterstock

I’m loyal to certain brands (many of which top our annual Kitchn Essentials Grocery list), but the more I shop at Aldi, the more I’ve come to love many of its private-label products. I’ve discovered this to be true all over the store, and especially in the aisle with loads of baking and cooking staples — that’s where I found my go-to garlic powder and olive oil, and the spicy red pepper flakes that I use (almost) every day.

Credit: Patty Catalano

What’s So Great About Stonemill Crushed Red Pepper?

I’m not going to bury the lede: A jar of Stonemill crushed red pepper costs just 79 cents for a 1.5-ounce jar. The same size jar costs three to five times more at other grocery stores. 

What’s the Best Way to Use Stonemill Crushed Red Pepper?

The first thing I always do with crushed red pepper is sprinkle it over pizza — whether I’m making it from scratch or picking up a take-and-bake pie at, yes, Aldi. 

You can also use the spice for much more than a finishing flourish. Infuse oil with red pepper flakes in this five-ingredient tomato paste pantry pasta or this one-pot lemon shrimp pasta. Crushed red pepper is also what gives the classic arrabbiata sauce and North Carolina BBQ sauce their spice, while turning up the heat on green vegetables like Swiss chard and simple sautéed broccoli. 

Find it in stores: Stonemill Crushed Red Pepper, $0.79 for 1.5 ounces

What Aldi groceries do you always have stocked in your pantry? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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