5 Aldi Items You’ll Deeply Regret Buying (Seriously, They’re Terrible)

Most visits to Aldi end with a full shopping cart and a number of unexpected finds thanks to the always-fresh lineup of new, seasonal arrivals. And many of those last-minute cart additions turn out to be pleasant surprises, thankfully.

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But if you’ve ever had the misfortune of bringing home an Aldi item only to discover it tastes terrible, doesn’t live up to your quality expectations, or just plain sucks in every way, then you’ll agree that some Aldi items can lead to regret. Take it from us and skip these picks on your next store trip to save your taste buds. 

Prepackaged Deli Meat

No Aldi store has a deli counter, so getting freshly-sliced deli picks is impossible. However, there are quite a few prepackaged deli meat choices hanging out in the refrigerated section of every location — but you’ll regret it if you pick any of them up.

Prepackaged deli meat is always noticeably different than the freshly-sliced stuff. It’s simply a fact. But while a “regular” grocery store’s prepackaged meat may be okay for some tastes, Aldi’s is downright terrible in both quality and taste. Those who’ve tried it call it “slimy and sticky at the same time” or, to make matters even worse, “has a flavor like you are eating something rotten.”

Yes, Aldi’s deli meat is cheap and might look like a good deal. But once you open a package, you’ll realize you shouldn’t waste a single cent on it.

Specially Selected Lobster Mac and Cheese

If you’ve passed by the boxes of Specially Selected Lobster Mac and Cheese a few times at your local Aldi and wondered if it was worth picking up, don’t do it. Seriously — this is an item that pretty much every shopper who’s tried it has regretted. You’re better off sticking with literally any other kind of mac and cheese sold at Aldi.

Just take it from Reddit users who aren’t shy about voicing just how much they regret this seafood-filled frozen pasta. It’s so terrible that one commenter said, “The smell of the lobster mac and cheese haunts me. It’s been a year and I still gag when I think about it.” And the reviews don’t get any better when it comes to the flavor. As one person summed it up, “I was expecting it to be bad, but gosh it blew me out of the water with how horrible it was.”

Bring this frozen entrée home, and it’ll have you questioning everything — so much so that, as one shopper noted, “The frozen lobster mac and cheese is hands down the worst food item I have ever bought in 45 years.”

Priano Three Cheese Tortellini (and Other Variations)

If you’re looking for a quick and almost-effortless dinner, Aldi’s shelf-stable tortellini, which is sold under the Priano private label in the pasta aisle, looks like an excellent choice. After all, it’s ready-made tortellini that merely needs sauce and maybe some seasoning and veggies as a side. But this suspiciously unrefrigerated premade pasta is going to make you regret all of your life choices if you add it to your cart.

Not convinced it’s that bad? Well, shoppers who’ve tried it don’t merely call it lacking in flavor. One summed it up as “It smelled like wet dog,” while another called it “Terrible. Just dreadful.”

And while most shoppers hate on the mushroom variety more than any other, there are plenty of shoppers who complain about the quality, texture, and taste. Even the basic three cheese option is bland and soggy once cooked — and even a good sauce can’t save this item.

Simply Nature Chickpea Pasta

Listen, chickpea pasta is something we’ve likely all tried at this point. The protein-rich pasta has been around for years now, and while it usually has a slightly different taste than your traditional dried pasta, it’s rarely strong enough or noticeable enough to turn you off completely. But that’s not at all the case for Aldi’s version.

Shoppers call the Simply Nature Chickpea Pasta “inedible” thanks to its strong and overpowering taste. Even worse is its texture; it doesn’t hold up to boiling water and al dente cooking in a way that’s comparable to regular ol’ dried pasta. Those who’ve cooked it say “it was splitting and falling apart before it even reached al dente.” Some say it can barely stand 4 minutes on the stove before the rotini and penne noodles start disintegrating.

To make matters even worse (and your regret deeper), the texture of the pasta is simply not right. You won’t get the same experience as eating non-chickpea pasta; these noodles are flimsy, floppy, and distinctly different in all the wrong ways.

Elevation Nacho Cheese Protein Puffs

Protein is in, well, everything right now, and the trendy protein-packed snacks just keep on coming — including at Aldi. And if you’ve been tempted to pick up a small pack of Elevation Nacho Cheese Protein Puffs, which look like crunchy cheese puffs that could be totally irresistible, just don’t. These unfortunate protein puffs made their way into my home, and I can literally smell whenever my husband opens the bag, even from an entire floor away.

I’m not the only one who regrets bringing these puffs into my life. Reddit users call them “vile” and note that they “smell rancid” — one person even said “The smell was somehow worse than the taste for me.” In fact, they’ve even managed to scare some shoppers, as one noted: “I’ve been terrified to try any of their other ‘protein’ products after these.”

Still not convinced? Well, one shopper called them “the only item I’ve ever returned to Aldi for a refund!” so they’re definitively in the regret category. The protein just isn’t worth it.