An Ode to Aldi (And 4 Recipes with Aldi Ingredients)

An Ode to Aldi

Oh Aldi how I love you,
And your bare bones, no frills inside.
There’s no flashy eye candy
Causing my kids to ask for things as we go by.

Oh Aldi how I love you,
And how it’s no big deal
To bring a quarter for the cart
So I can feed my family for a steal.

Oh Aldi how I love you,
And how your speedy checkout lines are sublime.
I am able to get in and out
Without wanting to commit a crime.

Oh Aldi how I love you,
And now how our weekly trip to the grocery store,
With reusable bags in tow,
Is a dreaded errand no more.

Oh Aldi how I love you,
And how my wallet is full.
Our cupboards are filled with delicious treats
Now and forevermore.

Warm Weather Recipe Ideas with Aldi Ingredients

We all know it’s still going to be blazing hot through August, into September, and maybe even October. Here are some quick ideas using ingredients you can find at Aldi to whip up when you don’t want to turn that oven on.

 

Italian Pasta Salad

I used this in the pasta salad, but it’s my husband’s favorite thing to snack on.
Whole wheat noodles with olives, kale, peppers, and salami.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I use a combination of what I have on hand to use in this salad, sweet peppers, kale or other greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion. Aldi also has kalamata olives for just over $2 a jar that I love to toss in. 

Ingredients
– 4 cups cooked spiral pasta
– 1 packet prepared Italian dressing, made according to package directions 
– 1 1/2 cups mixture of chopped vegetables. 
– 1 cup chopped salami
– 1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese(s)

Directions 
1. Toss cooked pasta in prepared Italian dressing.
2. Mix in vegetables, meat, and cheese.
3. Cover and store in refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. 

 

 

Loaded Omelettes for Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner

At 75 cents for a dozen eggs, this meal is family affordable.
Mozzarella and baby bella omlette

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the filling  I use vegetables from leftovers. That way they are already cooked. I also tend to use deli meats and a little shredded cheddar in addition to the cream cheese (aka my secret weapon for an awesome omelette).

Ingredients per omelette
– 2 eggs 
– 1 Tbsp cream cheese
– Up to 1/2 cup of any chopped or shredded meat, cheese, and vegetable combo you want. 
– Dash of salt and pepper
 

Directions 
1. Grease a small ceramic or non-stick pan over medium heat.
2. In small bowl, one for each omelette, whisk the eggs, cream cheese, and salt and pepper.
3. Pour the egg mixture in the heated pan. When edges start to firm place your chopped ingredients over half of the omelette. 
4. Fold the omelette in half and continue to cook until filling is heated thru and eggs are cooked.
5. Slide onto a plate and serve.

 

 

Mega Sandwich Spread

I heart carbs!
A sandwich to get excited about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know sandwiches seem obvious, but Aldi has some amazing artisan breads that are incredible for elevating your sandwich game. Try their smoked salmon on a high quality slice with some cream cheese and a side salad. You can also build an Italian sandwich on a loaf of Italian bread, or my personal favorite is using this sandwich spread on a baguette with whatever meat, cheeses, and veggies we have in the fridge. 

Ingredients
– 1/4 cup mayo
– 2 Tbsp cup sour cream
– 1 tsp mustard (Dijon or brown works best but I have also used yellow)
– Drizzle of honey
– Dash of salt and pepper

Directions 
1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Spread on sandwich to serve.

 

 

Balsamic Vinaigrette 

Yum! “Everything but the kitchen sink” chopped salad with balsamic dressing.
You won’t find olive oil for a better price anywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I kind of have a method (in case you haven’t noticed) of putting any combination of meat, cheese, and vegetables we have on hand and mixing them in different forms to make a meal out of. In the summer I do it with chopped salads. I just throw a bunch of stuff together and pulse it in the food processor. Then I make this dressing to toss it in.

Ingredients
– 1/4 olive oil
– 1/4 balsamic vinegar 
– 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
– Italian seasoning and salt to taste

Directions 
1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Coat the salad with the dressing and serve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Lacey Hamilton
I am originally from northeast Oklahoma. I attended college at the University of Central Oklahoma and stuck around the Oklahoma City area after graduation. Now I am a breadwinning wife and mom. I have 3 amazing kiddos and 2 mini dachshunds. As a family, we try to live as low maintenance and stress-free as possible. Our home is full of playing, laughing, cooking, eating, swimming, praying, gardening, reading, napping, dancing, and hugging puppies.

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