6 Aldi Meals Under $5 That Are Tastier Than Takeout

Your wallet will thank you.

Whether it’s been a long work week, your oven is broken, or you’re simply short on time, we all know that sometimes it’s much easier to tap a few buttons and have a fresh and delicious meal sent to your front door. This no-fuss path requires minimal effort, time, and mess, but it’s not always friendly on the budget front.

Luckily, Aldi has you covered with a wide variety of great prepared meals. You’re still just tapping a few buttons—this time on the microwave or the oven—but your wallet will be far happier thanks to Aldi's affordable prices. From pizza and pasta to burritos and bowls, we’ve rounded up the best $5 Aldi meals that taste just as good as your local takeout staples.

The Best Takeout-Inspired Meals at Aldi for Under $5

Whole & Simple Southwestern Style Chicken Quinoa Bowl

My husband and I love to order a couple of big hearty grain bowls when it’s takeout night. You get a variety of flavors and textures, they’re generally very filling, and best of all, I don’t have to make a mess of my stove in the process. However, the more fixings you add, the pricer those bowls get. Enter: the Southwest Chicken Quinoa Bowl ($3.45) from Aldi. The 10.5-ounce bowl is packed with generous servings of chunks of chicken and vegetables like sweet potatoes, black beans, corn, and bell peppers, all tops with a spicy chipotle sauce. You can prepare it in the microwave or the oven, and it packs up nicely in the freezer. Be sure to stock up.

Mama Cozzi’s Extra Large Pepperoni Pizza

Aldi offers a ton of take-and-bake options, making it the perfect stop for a tasty dinner on a budget. Pizza is always a hit and we love spending under $4, rather than up to $25, to enjoy a quality pie that can feed a group. Aldi shoppers swear by Mama Cozzi’s frozen pizzas and this extra-large pepperoni option earns the top spot. The 16-inch thin-crust pizza ($3.99) is large enough to serve a crowd, and devoted fans say they love the proportions of crust to sauce and cheese to pepperoni. They’re also impressed by the way the pepperoni cups curl as they bake, which any pepperoni lover knows is a good sign. If you love pizza with a thin crust, a hearty amount of toppings, and quality sauce, this one's for you.

Bremer Garlic Chicken Skillet

If you love pasta dishes that contain chicken and pack major flavors, Aldi shoppers highly recommend this garlic chicken ($4.65). This 21-ounce bag contains rotini noodles served in a garlic sauce with seasoned white meat chicken and vegetables like broccoli, garlic, carrots, and corn. Fans of this meal say that, unlike many other frozen chicken meals, the meat tastes fresh, without a hint of rubbery or chewy texture. Aldi shoppers recommend adding an extra flavor and texture boost by sprinkling on fresh herbs, chopped green onions, or grated Parmesan cheese to the mix. Either way, this hearty pasta and chicken meal promises to satisfy your appetite, taste buds, and wallet.

Casa Mamita Bean and Cheese Burritos

Aldi shoppers go crazy for these bean and cheese burritos ($4.19). Words often used to describe these burritos include “tasty," "filling," and "surprisingly delicious.” Multiple shoppers even claim that, if prepared properly, they're on par with Taco Bell, which is a pretty bold statement. This 8-pack of burritos contains white flour tortillas that are packed to the brim with tender pinto beans and sharp cheddar cheese. They can be prepared in the oven as a casserole, or ready from the microwave in mere minutes. Add a dollop of sour cream, salsa, or guacamole on top, and you may just feel like you’re out at your favorite Mexican restaurant.

Fusia Chicken Lo Mein

You can always sign me up for a cozy night at home with Chinese food and a bottle of wine. This chicken lo mein dinner ($4.99) is available year-round at Aldi and the 20-ounce bag contains savory noodles with grilled chicken breast strips, broccoli, red bell peppers, carrots, and onions. A rich and delicious teriyaki sauce brings it all together as an umami-packed stir-fry dinner that may cost a third of what you’d pay for a takeout meal. If you’re looking to prepare a little side dish to serve with it, pick up a package of Fusia Chicken Egg Rolls for an additional $3.25.

Priano Stuffed Shells

Aldi fans call these stuffed shells ($4.99) an easy meal that tastes “absolutely amazing.” A 20-ounce package contains about eight hearty stuffed shells prepared in a traditional style with perfectly al dente pasta stuffed generously with creamy ricotta cheese. These stuffed shells can be prepared in the microwave or baked in the oven as a casserole, but most fans recommend cooking them in a pan or pot with sauce for 20 to 25 minutes, allowing the cheese to warm and soften inside, and the pasta to tenderize in the warm richness of the sauce.

Read the original article on All Recipes.