Ordering takeout sounds like a great idea until the delivery fees, service charges, and tip start piling up. A dinner that initially looks affordable can quickly turn into a $25 expense, especially when feeding more than one person. Fortunately, Aldi has a freezer section filled with convenient meals that can satisfy those restaurant cravings without putting quite as much pressure on your grocery budget.
From saucy Chinese-inspired favorites to cheesy Italian dinners, some of these frozen options are surprisingly appealing for busy evenings. They require little preparation, offer familiar flavors, and give shoppers a reason to keep the delivery apps closed. Here are seven Aldi frozen meals worth looking for on your next grocery trip.
Fusia Chicken Fried Rice Brings Chinese Takeout Home
Chicken fried rice is one of those dishes that can easily become a regular takeout order. Aldi’s Fusia Asian Inspirations Chicken Fried Rice offers a convenient alternative, with seasoned jasmine rice, grilled chicken breast strips, edamame, carrots, onions, and egg. The combination gives shoppers several familiar ingredients in one easy package.
A 22-ounce bag contains approximately three servings and comes with a separate sauce packet. You can prepare it in a skillet in about 8 to 10 minutes, making it a useful option when nobody feels like spending an hour in the kitchen. At around $6.59, it can also cost considerably less than ordering individual portions of fried rice from a Chinese restaurant.
Kirkwood General Tso’s Chicken Is a Sweet and Spicy Favorite
Anyone who enjoys Chinese takeout probably knows the appeal of General Tso’s chicken. The combination of crispy chicken and sweet, slightly spicy sauce makes it a popular choice for people who want something more exciting than plain chicken and rice. Aldi’s Kirkwood Gluten Free General Tso’s Chicken offers a convenient way to enjoy those flavors at home.
The 22-ounce package comes with chicken and a separate sauce packet, allowing you to coat the pieces after cooking. You can prepare it in the oven, skillet, or microwave, although the oven is a good choice when you want the chicken to retain some crispiness. Priced at approximately $7.15, it is a budget-friendly alternative to restaurant portions that can cost considerably more, especially when delivery charges are included.
Serve it over steamed rice with some broccoli, and you have a satisfying dinner without much extra work.
Specially Selected Lobster Mac and Cheese Feels Like a Restaurant Treat
Mac and cheese is already a comforting dinner, but Aldi takes things up a notch with its Specially Selected Lobster Mac and Cheese Bake. This frozen meal combines cavatappi pasta with lobster and a creamy mixture of cheddar, fontina, and asiago cheeses. A breadcrumb topping adds another layer of texture, making it feel a little more special than an ordinary boxed pasta dinner.
The 18-ounce package costs approximately $7.49 and provides two servings. It is particularly appealing for shoppers who enjoy seafood but do not want to pay restaurant prices for a lobster dish. The oven-baked preparation also gives the breadcrumb topping a chance to develop a golden finish.
It may not replace an expensive seafood restaurant experience entirely, but it offers an appealing way to enjoy a richer dinner at home.
Fusia Chicken Lo Mein Makes Weeknight Dinner Easier
Sometimes, all you want is a generous serving of noodles covered in a savory sauce. Aldi’s Fusia Asian Inspirations Chicken Lo Mein offers that familiar takeout experience with noodles, white meat chicken, broccoli, red bell peppers, carrots, and onions. The ingredients are combined with a soy and hoisin sauce that gives the dish its recognizable flavor.
The 20-ounce bag costs approximately $6.59 and contains two servings. Each serving provides around 18 grams of protein, making it a filling option for shoppers looking for something more substantial than a basic noodle dish.
Preparation is also straightforward, which is another reason to keep it in the freezer. Rather than waiting for a delivery driver, you can have a hot noodle dinner ready in minutes. Add a little extra steamed broccoli if you want more vegetables on your plate.
Bremer Chicken Penne Primavera Offers an Easy Italian Dinner
A good chicken pasta dinner does not have to come from an Italian restaurant. Aldi’s Bremer Chicken Penne Primavera combines penne pasta, chicken breast pieces, vegetables, and a creamy sauce for a convenient meal at home.
The package includes tempura chicken breast meat and vegetables, with the sauce supplied separately. This gives shoppers some flexibility when preparing the meal, particularly if they prefer to control how much sauce goes into their pasta. It takes approximately 10 to 12 minutes to prepare on the stovetop and provides two servings.
At around $4.99, it is one of the more affordable options on this list. That price makes it particularly attractive for anyone who enjoys ordering chicken pasta but would rather save the restaurant money for another occasion. You can also add a side salad or garlic bread to make dinner feel more complete.
Bremer Family Size Baked Ziti Can Feed Several People
Ordering Italian food for an entire household can get expensive quickly, especially when everyone wants a different entrée. Aldi’s Bremer Large Family Size Baked Ziti offers a convenient alternative for families who enjoy pasta, meat sauce, and plenty of melted cheese.
The 57-ounce package contains pasta in a rich meat sauce made with sausage and topped with mozzarella cheese. It is designed to feed approximately four to six people, making it a more practical choice for a family dinner than purchasing individual restaurant meals. Preparation takes longer than some of the other options, with the frozen dish requiring approximately 75 minutes in a 350°F oven.
At around $10.99, the package offers considerable value when divided among several people. There may even be leftovers for lunch the following day, which is always a welcome bonus when trying to stretch the grocery budget.
Whole & Simple Southwest Chicken Quinoa Bowl Is a Lighter Alternative
Not every satisfying dinner needs to involve pasta, cheese, or fried chicken. Aldi’s Whole & Simple Southwest Chicken Quinoa Bowl offers a different option for shoppers who want a meal featuring grains, vegetables, and protein.
The 10.5-ounce bowl contains chicken, quinoa, brown rice, sweet potatoes, black beans, corn, and bell peppers. It also provides approximately 17 grams of protein per serving. The combination brings together several ingredients commonly found in Southwest-inspired grain bowls, making it a convenient alternative to purchasing a similar lunch from a restaurant.
At approximately $4.25, it is one of the least expensive meals on this list. It also takes less than five minutes to prepare in the microwave. While the portion is smaller than a traditional restaurant dinner, it works particularly well for lunch or a lighter evening meal.
For shoppers who regularly spend money on restaurant grain bowls, keeping a few of these in the freezer could be a useful way to cut back on takeout spending.
