3 Totally Basic Grocery Essentials That Are So Much Better at Aldi

Every week, there’s a whole host of exciting (and kind of weird, at times) new arrivals that hit your local Aldi store. That’s part of the fun of shopping at this particular grocery store; after all, where else can you browse cotton candy-flavored mini muffins, beef birria bites, and pizza inspired by jalapeño poppers alongside tulip-shaped cat scratching posts and LEGO sets?

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Look past the ever-changing selection of weekly Aldi Finds, though, and you’ll discover what frequent Aldi shoppers love most about the store. The chain, which is known for affordable dupes of popular brand-name products, has some seriously great basics. And I’m sharing the five super-basic essentials I always prefer to get at Aldi rather than other grocery stores—and no, I’m not talking about ice cubes.

Cheese

Whether you’re looking to put together a mouthwatering charcuterie board on a budget, love snacking on fancy cheeses, or simply love a good adult Lunchable (aka slices of cheese and crackers, obviously), Aldi is the best place to pick up cheese. 

Not only is cheese generally a bit cheaper at Aldi compared to grocers like Vons, Kroger, and other larger chains, but there’s also a ton of variety. Aldi’s smoked gouda never misses, and the selection of goat cheeses includes cranberry, blueberry, and other flavors that will become fast snacktime favorites. One of my favorite cheap finds this year? Aldi’s Champagne Cheddar, which retailed for less than $3.

Oh, and don’t overlook the shredded cheese selection, either. While you’ll find plenty of basic options that are equivalent to other grocery stores’ options, you’ll also come across standout finds like super-melty quesadilla cheese—Reddit and I agree that Aldi’s Pueblo Lindo Shredded Mexican Style Cheese is hands down the best for standout quesadillas. 

Bagels

Bagels are a breakfast (or lunch or dinner, depending on your bagel preferences) staple. And you’ve got to stop buying your bagels from name brands and switch to Aldi’s “non-branded” store-brand alternatives. The selection at Aldi is elite, with options like cinnamon raisin, blueberry, and even Maple French Toast.

But the reason I love getting my bagels from Aldi and Aldi only? It’s because they taste great and are cheaper than brand names like Thomas. At just over $2 a pack, you can easily stock up for the week and get your money’s worth. 

In fact, I’d say all of Aldi’s bread selection is well worth subbing in for your usual bread brands. There are numerous brand-name dupes to browse at Aldi, and while some might argue the taste is slightly off, my über-picky toddler can never tell the difference between a loaf of Dave’s Killer Bread and the dupe at Aldi. The same goes for tortillas, too.

Marinara Sauce

As a pasta die-hard, I’m particular about my pasta sauce. I’m not picky in the sense that I have no issue using jarred sauces, but I do understand the love for brands like Rao’s that really take the jarred stuff to new flavor heights. But this is also one area in which Aldi shines: Aldi’s marinara sauces are so much better than most grocery store versions (yes, even the brand names).

Aldi does sell Rao’s, but their own in-house brands of jarred marinara are pretty solid. I do find some of the lower-priced options to be weak flavor-wise, but the Specially Selected Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce never misses. It’s a Rao’s dupe and it’s almost exactly half the price of the brand name version. After trying it out a few months ago, I’ve stopped picking up Rao’s entirely unless it’s deeply discounted.

If you’re a fan of Prego or Bertolli, you’ll find the Specially Selected sauce line to be an upgrade. But the lower-priced Reggano and Priano options at Aldi are equally good if those are your usual grocery essentials (and they’re so much cheaper, too). Basically, if there’s a pasta sauce you’ve been buying and liking, Aldi has a dupe that’s just as tasty and lower in price.

Boxed Pastas

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Pastaroni, even Hamburger Helper—if any of these boxed pasta products are staples in your pantry like they are in mine, good news. You can find these essential at Aldi, and they’re not only delicious but also so much better for their price point. Yes, I know there’s really no identical dupe for that iconic blue box mac and cheese, but trust me when I say Aldi’s alternative versions are worth it.

After trying original Hamburger Helper and Aldi’s own version, I can confidently say the two are near identical. Aldi’s Cheesy Skillet Dinner is the same thing, down to the included powder, and you won’t miss paying more for the name. And good news, Velveeta fans: Aldi’s Cheese Club Shells and Cheese comes in two varieties that taste just like the “real” fake cheese thing.

Aldi also used to make Pastaroni-like dupes of boxed pastas that required little more than water and what’s inside the box. I haven’t seen them around in a while, but if they ever return? They’re well worth trading in your usual brand names for, as they’re satisfying and pack the same flavorful punch.