Tess Rose Lampert is a New York City-based writer, beverage educator, and lover of savings. With over a decade in the alcoholic beverage industry, she strives to enhance consumers' everyday experiences with food and beverage through dynamic and interactive writings, educational seminars, and events.
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Feeding a family can be a lot of work — and pricey too. Shopping at grocery stores that are known for their low prices, like Aldi, can be a huge help in getting nutritious and tasty meals on the table for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Many of the shopping lists below will have leftover ingredients that you can use for other meals. Items like oil and spices are generally less than $2 each, which adds just a few cents to the total cost per meal.
Spaghetti and sauce is a classic family dinner that is satisfying, balanced, and easy to whip up. Aside from the key ingredients, a little salt and pepper are the only things needed to complete a dish that will easily yield four hearty portions.
Pasta: $1.09
Sauce: $1.69
Meat: $6.50
Total: $9.28
Cost per serving: $2.32
This meal makes enough for two hot dogs for each diner and a massive portion of fries that will still leave you with leftover potatoes and oil for another batch.
Hot Dogs: $1.59
Buns: $0.95
Potatoes: $2.99
Oil: $1.89
Ketchup: $1.69
Total: $9.11
Cost per serving: $2.28
The homemade version of this fast food favorite is cheaper than take-out. The patties themselves weigh in at just under a half-pound each for a filling burger.
Patties: $6.34
Buns: $0.95
Ketchup: $1.69
Total: $8.98
Cost per serving: $2.25
A satisfying meal anytime, this flavor-packed sandwich is a cheap way to pack a lot of calories in one meal. This shopping list will make a total of eight sandwiches and still leave a few eggs and some bacon leftover.
Eggs: $1.50
Cheese: $2.59
English Muffins: $1.25
Bacon: $3.69
Total: $9.03
Cost per serving: $1.30
With a mix that requires just water to whip up pancakes, there is room leftover in the budget to customize the meal with fresh fruit added to the batter or on top, or even a touch of real maple syrup.
Pancake Mix: $1.89
Bacon: $3.69
Total: $5.58
Cost per serving: $0.70
Healthy and light, this makes a sweet breakfast, an energy packed snack, or even a decadent dessert.
Yogurt: $2.20
Berries: $1.99
Granola: $2.99
Total: $7.18
Cost per serving: $1.80
Vegetarians and vegans are not left out of the savings, and unlike most other stores, the vegetable-based items at Aldi are often cheaper than the meat-based options.
Patties: $3.59
Buns: $0.95
Potatoes: $2.99
Mayo: $1.89
Total: $9.42
Cost per serving: $2.36
Chicken thighs are lower in price and pack a lot more flavor than the breasts, making this a succulent and affordable dish.
Chicken thighs: $4.55
Mushrooms: $1.19
Tomatoes: $0.79
Penne: $0.99
Total: $7.52
Cost per serving: $1.88
This meal offers a taste of New Orleans made from pantry and freezer staples.
Shrimp: $4.89
Jambalaya: $1.49
Onions: $1.99
Total: $8.37
Cost per serving: $2.09
Quesadillas can be filled with just about anything you might have on hand or can be left plain. Including mushrooms ups the nutrition, as well as the flavor.
Tortillas: $1.59
Cheese: $2.59
Mushrooms: $1.19
Total: $5.37
Cost per serving: $1.34
A sophisticated dish, this is nice enough to serve on date night or when friends and relatives are visiting.
Shrimp: $4.89
Pasta: $1.09
Oil: $1.89
Garlic: $0.99
Total: $6.78
Cost per serving: $1.70
Simple yet satisfying and delicious, potatoes are the ideal base for any cheese and vegetable combination.
Potatoes: $2.99
Cheese: $2.59
Mushrooms: $1.19
Total: $6.77
Cost per serving: $1.70
Nachos are a fun way to have a family dinner that gets everyone involved in a communal style of dining. Replace the beef with mushrooms for a vegetarian-friendly version.
Chips: $1.49
Queso: $2.19
Beef: $2.79
Hot Sauce: $1.15
Total: $7.62
Cost per serving: $1.90
The ingredients for this quick breakfast are enough to make at least 16 portions, which makes this a cheap and healthy way to start your day.
Oatmeal: $1.79
Apples: $0.99
Maple: $7.19
Total: $9.97
Cost per serving: $0.60
Omelets are great for breakfast, but also make a nice lunch or dinner served alongside a simple salad.
Eggs: $1.50
Spinach: $2.49
Mushrooms: $1.19
Cheese: $2.59
Total: $7.77
Cost per serving: $1.90
A comfort food classic, sometimes an old-fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich is just what's needed.
Peanut Butter: $1.89
Jelly: $1.69
Bread: $0.85
Total: $4.43
Cost per serving: $1.10
This gluten-free and vegan version of spaghetti uses squash instead of pasta.
Spaghetti Squash: $2.37
Marinara: $1.69
Mushrooms: $2.38
Garlic: $0.99
Total: $7.43
Cost per serving: $1.90
Cheaper than delivery and just as satisfying, an extra-large pizza and salad for the family is a casual meal for any night of the week.
Frozen Pizza: $6.19
Salad: $0.89
Salad Dressing: $1.69
Total: $8.77
Cost per serving: $2.19
Turn simple bread, cheese, and ham into something delicious just by pressing it together Italian-style for melty cheese and crispy edges.
Bread: $0.85
Ham: $2.58
Cheese: $2.59
Total: $6.02
Cost per serving: $1.50
A proper meal that is as nutritious as it is delicious, this works as a quick weeknight dinner or even a Sunday feast with the extended family.
Pork Chops: $5.24
Garlic: $0.99
Spinach: $2.49
Rice: $0.99
Total: $9.71
Cost per serving: $2.43
Make a vegan version of tacos that is just as satisfying as a meat-based meal, thanks to pieces of chunky potatoes and meaty mushrooms.
Mushrooms: $2.38
Potatoes: $2.99
Corn Tortillas: $1.69
How Sauce: $1.15
Total: $8.21
Cost per serving: $2.06
Hard shell tacos, while not authentically Mexican, are an American favorite, especially when stuffed with pork carnitas.
Pork Carnitas: $5.99
Hard Taco Shells: $1.19
Hot Sauce: $1.15
Total: $8.33
Cost per serving: $2.08
This hearty brunch dish can be enjoyed for any meal of the day. Sauteeing the hash in a pan to get crispy bits will make it taste just like homemade.
Corned Beef Hash: $3.38
Eggs: $1.50
Total: 4.88
Cost per serving: $1.22
Even the local diner can't beat this low price for comfort breakfast food.
Bacon: $3.69
Eggs: $1.50
Hash Browns: $1.95
Ketchup: $1.69
Total: $8.83
Cost per serving: $2.21
A childhood favorite, boxed macaroni and cheese can be nostalgically delicious. With a generous addition of veggies, it becomes a complete and filling meal for the entire family.
Macaroni & Cheese: $2.36
Veggies: $2.58
Total: $4.94
Cost per serving: $1.26
This cheesy filled pasta just needs a few supporting ingredients to turn it into a restaurant-worthy dish.
Ravioli: $4.98
Spinach: $2.49
Garlic: $0.99
Total: $8.46
Cost per serving: $2.12
Burritos smothered in queso dip are fun and craveworthy. With two burritos in each serving, even fast food chains can't beat this price.
Burritos: $2.69
Queso: $2.19
Total: $4.88
Cost per serving: $1.22
With ramen bowls going for upwards of $10 in restaurants, this instant version with fresh chicken is a bargain.
Ramen: $1.94
Chicken: $5.73
Total: $7.67
Cost per serving: $1.92
Keeping things healthy and light is also easy with Aldi's prices on basics like chicken and salad.
Salad: $1.78
Chicken: $5.73
Salad Dressing: $1.69
Total: $9.20
Cost per serving: $2.30
