5 Cheap Dinner Ideas From Aldi

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5 Cheap Dinner Ideas From Aldi

There’s no denying that grocery prices have scaled up. Ten years ago, I used to be able to walk into Aldi and spend less than $200 on almost 2 weeks’ worth of groceries, including snacks, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Now I’m lucky if I spend less than 300 for a family of six for one week. Not to mention, if I go into another store, that’s not Aldi, like Kroger, and I’m spending close to $400 for just one week’s worth of groceries. I know I’m not the only family in America that is experiencing this. That is why I’ve decided to share cheap dinner ideas from Aldi with you every week.

While Aldi might have also gone up in prices over the last couple of years; it’s still the cheapest option I have around us. Living in a town with one grocery store doesn’t leave room for much competition. Therefore, whenever I go into Kroger, I feel defeated because of the amount of money we have spent. So, I’m always looking for ways to cut prices if possible. That’s when coupons and other frugal measures come into play.

However, shopping at Aldi has proven time and time again to be one of the cheapest options for us when we get more bang for our buck. These meal plans are not fancy and don’t require 1 million ingredients. But they are simple and cheap for busy families looking for a frugal option for their dinner times.

Spaghetti With Meat and Marinara Sauce

Whether you love it or tolerate it, spaghetti is undoubtedly one of the most frugal meals you can make for your family. This is especially true if you have a larger family like mine. Spaghetti noodles are cheap, and you can always omit the hamburger and parmesan cheese to make it a cheaper option. This is easier if your children don’t even care for ground beef. While this is nothing fancy, it’s still a tasty mealtime choice for dinner during a busy week.

Why It’s Frugal: Spaghetti noodles and marinara sauce are pantry staples that can last for quite a while. All the ingredients, with the exception of ground beef, are pretty low-cost at most stores, not just Aldi.
Tip: Add extra veggies like bell peppers or spinach to boost nutrition without breaking the bank. Throw in a pack of garlic bread and you now have a complete meal.

Ingredients & Costs from Aldi:

Spaghetti – $2.09 (32 oz)
Marinara sauce – $1.85 (24 oz jar)
Parmesan cheese – $3.25 (8 oz)
Ground beef– $5.39 (1 Ib)
Optional: Spinach or bell peppers – $2.15 (frozen spinach or fresh peppers)

Total Cost: Around $14.73 for a family of 4-6

2. Quesadilla

Quesadillas are versatile meal ideas that can be adapted to fit each family member independently. To make a simple quesadilla that even toddlers approve of, grab some tortillas, cheese, and butter, and then you have dinner. You can throw in some beans to ramp up the flavor. If you add some vegetables or even a type of meat like chicken or hamburger, the adaptability of a quesadilla is amazing. You can have a complete meal with some refried beans on the side, Mexican rice, or even vegetables.

Why It’s Frugal: Tortillas, cheese, and simple fillings make this a quick and easy meal. You can use leftover meats or beans to stretch your dollar even further.
Tip: Mix in a can of beans to make the quesadilla more filling and to add protein without increasing the cost to high.

Ingredients & Costs from Aldi:

Flour tortillas – $2.15 (6″ 30 count)
Shredded cheese – $3.09 (8 oz)
Sour cream – $2.05 (16 oz)
Optional: Canned black beans or shredded chicken – $0.95 (canned beans)

Total Cost: Around $8.24 for a family of 4-6

3. Taco Skillet

Taco skillet is one of my favorite easy dinnertime meals to make for my family. This one-pan meal idea is enough to feed a family of 4 to 6 and can add variety to your taco Tuesday. You can even make this meal in the crockpot to make it a little bit easier for you as a busy mom. Grab some ground beef, black beans, tomatoes, corn, and beef broth, and you have all the ingredients you need to make a simple taco skillet.

Why It’s Frugal: A one-pan meal incorporating seasoned ground beef (or beans for a vegetarian option) with rice and veggies, making it a filling and affordable dinner.
Tip: Use frozen mixed veggies to save money and reduce prep time.

Ingredients & Costs from Aldi:

Ground beef – $5.39 (1 lb)
2 cans of black beans – $0.95
2 cans of corn – $0.85 per can
2 cans of diced tomatoes – $0.99 per can
Taco seasoning – $0.55 (packet)
Beef broth- $1.49
(swap out canned for frozen) Frozen mixed vegetables – $1.09 (12 oz)

Total Cost: Around $13.01 for a family of 4-6 (or cut this cost by using only one can of vegetables each or the frozen mixed vegetables.)

4. BBQ Chicken and Vegetables

Barbecue chicken is one of my husband’s favorite meals. It’s easy and can be paired with pretty much any side. Grab a bag of frozen chicken or already thawed chicken from Aldi, whatever your favorite seasoning is, and a jar of barbecue sauce. Throw it in the crockpot on one of your busy nights, and when you get home, you’ll have a delicious main dish.

Why It’s Frugal: Chicken is often affordable when bought in bulk, and paired with frozen vegetables, it makes a hearty meal for little money.
Tip: Chicken thighs or drumsticks are cheaper than breasts, providing a ton of flavor.

Ingredients & Costs from Aldi:

Chicken drumsticks or thighs – $8.05 (frozen 48 oz. pack of thighs) or $5.20 (pack of 2.75 Ib of drumsticks)
BBQ sauce – $1.89 (18 oz)
Frozen vegetables – $1.29 (12 oz bag)

Total Cost: Between $8.38 and $12.52 for a family of 4-6

5. Pork Loin and Vegetables

Aldi sells packs of pork loin that are affordable and quite tasty. If you have a larger family, you may have to grab two of these, which will ramp up the cost. However, this makes a simple and tasty, plus affordable, meal plan for busy weekday nights.

Why It’s Frugal: Pork loin is an inexpensive cut of meat that can easily be cooked in the oven or slow cooker. Adding vegetables boosts the meal’s value while keeping costs low.
Tip: Purchase a larger pork loin and save the leftovers for sandwiches or wraps the next day.

Ingredients & Costs from Aldi:

Pork loin – $5.38 (1.8 lb)
Frozen mixed vegetables – $1.29 (16 oz)
Potatoes (optional) – $2.29 (5 lb bag)

Total Cost: Around $8.96 for a family of 4-6 (with leftovers)

You Can Still Feed Your Family Frugally

If you are a busy mom or dad looking for cheap ideas, or maybe you are tired of eating the same things over and over, try one of these simple meal plans from Aldi. Altogether the 5-day meal plan roughly comes out to around $53.32. Even though grocery costs have gone up, there are strategies you can implement to cut these costs and save more money. Whether it’s by shopping in bulk, using coupons, or shopping at Aldi, these simple tips can help you keep more money in your wallet.

Do you have an affordable favorite meal that you would love to share with readers? Leave a comment below!