The 10 Best Things We Bought from Aldi in 2020
Most of us who have cooked at home a lot this year have also learned that saving money on groceries is more important than ever. But counting every dollar doesn’t mean that we can’t try new groceries and add fun items to the rotation — especially when there’s an Aldi nearby (their prices just can’t be beat!).
Considering the fact that Aldi is one of the few places we’ve ventured out to this year, (we were so impressed with their pandemic response), we decided to take a look back at some of our favorite finds of 2020. Here’s what we found ourselves buying from Aldi again and again … and again.
1. Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Breast Fillets, $5.99 for 24 ounces
When a bag of frozen, breaded chicken is so popular it even has its own Facebook group (with over 16,000 members!), you know we’re gonna try it. Lifestyle Director, Lisa Freedman, used this chicken (affectionately known as Red Bag Chicken or RBC) to make a cost-cutting copycat Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich that actually tastes like the real thing! And she didn’t stop there. Now, she always keeps a bag in her freezer and she uses the shortcut chicken to top salads, stuff in wraps, and more.
2. Mama Cozzi Frozen (and Refrigerated) Pizzas, $7 or less
Whether you prefer pie with classic toppings (pepperoni is always a hit!) or get excited for limited-edition flavors (hello, macaroni and cheese pizza), you can’t go wrong with a pizza from Aldi. Mama Cozzi’s frozen and take-and-bake pizzas are some of the store’s most popular items. One tip: Make sure to shop early because some stores tend to sell out of Mama Cozzi’s pizzas on Friday nights.
3. Dunkaroos, $1.50 each
In a year filled with so little joy, the return of Dunkaroos made our hearts overflow. These vanilla cookies with rainbow confetti frosting were exactly the nostalgic pick-me-up we needed.
4. L’oven Fresh Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, $1.39 for 12
These soft-and-sweet rolls taste just like the name brand — but for a fraction of the price! We used these as slider buns all summer long and have continued to add them to our carts in the months since. These buns are just right for bite-sized Philly cheesesteaks and Cubano sheet pan sliders.
5. Priano Pasta Shells, $1.09 for 16 ounces
Whether you love a pasta salad (winter pasta salad needs to be a thing!) or a creamy, beefy, cheesy one-pan situation, these shells are for you. And they’re just $1!
Read more: Aldi’s Best Spring Groceries 2020
6. Mooala, $4 for 48 ounces
We were skeptical about an alt-milk rumored to taste like banana bread, so imagine our surprise when we totally fell for it! We love the short ingredient list featuring filtered water, bananas, sunflower seeds, and cinnamon. The flavor is creamy, neutral, and perfect for pouring over cereal or plumping chia seeds for pudding.
7. Mushroom Medley Simmer Sauce, $3.49 for 14 ounces
Our friends at Aldi gave us a sneak peek at their new simmer sauces this spring and we couldn’t resist the Mushroom Medley variety. We simmered seasoned chicken with the sauce, served it over cooked pasta, and immediately fell for the creamy, cheesy, mushroom-y flavors.
8. Sundae Shoppe Keto Ice Cream, $3.99 per pint
Aldi has become a sleeper source for keto-friendly groceries, selling products like zero-net carb bread and edamame spaghetti. That’s why we weren’t surprised to see keto-friendly ice creams in their freezer case. Our favorite was the Peanut Butter & Fudge made with a sugar-free fudge swirl.
9. Heart to Tail Dental Sticks, $2.20 for seven
It took a discerning pup to determine our picks for Aldi’s best dog treats, but Millie (Lisa’s doggo) was up for the challenge. Given the choice between these teeth-cleaning dental sticks and Greenies, Millie chose Aldi’s option time and time again. Coming in at just 35 cents each (compared to a dollar a piece for Greenies), these dental sticks are our favorite too.
10. Moser Roth Chocolates, $2 for 4.4 ounces
Always and forever, Aldi’s chocolates top the charts. This year, we used these chocolate bars to bake celebratory cookie cakes and make indoor s’mores.
Read more: The 10 Must-Have Aldi Buys for Winter
What were your favorite Aldi purchases this year?