Whether it’s been a long work week, your oven is broken, or you’re simply short on time, we all know that sometimes it’s much easier to tap a few buttons and have a fresh and delicious meal sent to your front door. This no-fuss path requires minimal effort, time, and mess—but it’s not always the most budget-friendly.
Luckily, Aldi has you covered with a wide variety of great prepared meals. You’re still just tapping a few buttons—this time on the microwave or the oven—but your wallet will be far happier thanks to Aldi’s affordable prices. From pizza and pasta to burritos and bowls, we’ve rounded up the best $5 Aldi meals that taste just as good as your local takeout staples.
The Best Takeout-Inspired Meals at Aldi for Under $5
Whole & Simple Southwestern Style Chicken Quinoa Bowl
Aldi/Allrecipes
My husband and I love to order a couple of big hearty grain bowls when it’s takeout night. You get a variety of flavors and textures, they’re generally very filling, and best of all, I don’t have to make a mess of my stove in the process. However, the more fixings you add, the pricer those bowls get. Enter: the Southwest Chicken Quinoa Bowl ($4.05) from Aldi. The 10.5-ounce bowl is packed with generous servings of chunks of chicken and vegetables like sweet potatoes, black beans, corn, and bell peppers, all tops with a spicy chipotle sauce. You can prepare it in the microwave or the oven, and it packs up nicely in the freezer. Be sure to stock up.
Bremer Garlic Chicken Skillet
Aldi/Allrecipes
If you love pasta dishes that contain chicken and pack a major flavor punch, Aldi shoppers highly recommend this garlic chicken ($4.65). This 21-ounce bag contains rotini noodles served in a garlic sauce with seasoned white meat chicken and vegetables like broccoli, garlic, carrots, and corn. Fans of this meal say that, unlike many other frozen chicken meals, the meat tastes fresh, without a hint of rubbery or chewy texture. Aldi shoppers recommend adding an extra flavor and texture boost by sprinkling on fresh herbs, chopped green onions, or grated Parmesan cheese to the mix. Either way, this hearty pasta and chicken meal promises to satisfy your appetite, taste buds, and wallet.
Casa Mamita Bean and Cheese Burritos
Aldi/Allrecipes
Aldi shoppers love these bean and cheese burritos ($4.19), which are delicious, filling, and oh so comforting. This 8-pack of burritos contains white flour tortillas that are filled to the brim with tender pinto beans and sharp Cheddar cheese. They can be prepared in the oven as a casserole or microwaved for a satisfying snack in minutes. Add a dollop of sour cream, salsa, or guacamole on top, and you may just feel like you’re out at your favorite Mexican restaurant.
Fusia Teriyaki Stir-Fry
Allrecipes / Aldi
You can always sign me up for a cozy night at home with stir-fried vegetables and a bottle of wine. This popular frozen meal from Aldi costs $3.95 and features 32 ounces of umami-packed vegetables and noodles. A rich and delicious teriyaki sauce brings it all together for a delicious dinner that may cost a third of what you’d pay for a takeout meal. Take it from this Redditor, who confessed, “I never ate something three days in a row like I did this week. My goodness, this is really soo good.”
Specially Selected Smoked Mozzarella Ravioli
Allrecipes / Aldi
Aldi fans call these decadent cheese-stuffed ravioli an easy meal that’s not just delicious, but also “the best” they’ve ever had. At $2.99 per bag, it’s almost too good to be true. Each 14-ounce package contains tender pasta filled with smoked mozzarella, ricotta cheese, and parsley. To cook, add the ravioli to a pot of boiling water or microwave it. All that’s left is pairing this meal with your favorite pasta sauce, whether that’s marinara, pesto, or something else. Within minutes, you’ll have a no-frills, super-filling dinner on the table.
