8 Cheap Aldi Grocery Meals That Add Up to Less Than $5 Per Person

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Mindlessly grocery shopping and loading your cart with expensive convenience foods or produce that you have every intention of using but never do is a waste of money.

And while the thought of meal planning, shopping and cooking may seem overwhelming, time-consuming and potentially expensive, it doesn’t have to be. To help, here are some cheap Aldi grocery meals that are easy to put together and cost less than $5 per person. 

8 Healthy, Affordable Meals Using Groceries From Aldi

If you’re a fan of shopping at Aldi, but have trouble making a grocery list for cheap meals that add up to less than $5 per person, here’s some food inspiration. 

1. Quinoa and black bean bowl
2. Chickpea salad wrap
3. Sweet potato and black bean quesadilla
4. Pasta with marinara and vegetables
5. Egg and vegetable scramble
6. Bean tacos
7. Bean and rice soup
8. Avocado toast with eggs

Quinoa and Black Bean Bowl

If you’re a fan of meatless protein bowls, professional triathlon coach, nutritionist and CEO at Triworldhub, Maksym Babych, recommends shopping at Aldi for the ingredients for this quinoa and black bean bowl, which will add up to way less than $5 per person. That means if you want to add meat, you can. 

Ingredients: 

• Quinoa
• Canned black beans
• Salsa
• Avocado
• Lime

Directions: 

1. Cook quinoa and mix with black beans. 
2. Top with salsa, sliced avocado and a squeeze of lime.

Chickpea Salad Wrap

This wrap meal idea from Babych is easy on the budget and packed with filling nutrients. 

Ingredients: 

• Canned chickpeas
• Whole wheat wraps
• Cucumber
• Tomatoes
• Hummus

Directions: 

1. Mash chickpeas and mix with diced cucumber and tomatoes. 
2. Spread hummus on a wrap, and add the chickpea mixture.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quesadilla

This particular meal recommendation from Babych features an unusual combo of ingredients, but it’s quite tasty and filling. 

Ingredients: 

• Sweet potatoes
• Canned black beans
• Whole wheat tortillas
• Cheese

Directions: 

1. Roast sweet potatoes and mash with black beans. 
2. Fill tortillas, add cheese and cook until crispy.

Pasta with Marinara and Vegetables

Put this pasta dish from Babych on the menu and you’ll have a cheap meal that’s ready in no time. 

Ingredients: 

• Whole wheat pasta
• Canned tomato sauce
• Mixed vegetables (bell peppers, onions, zucchini)

Directions: 

1. Cook pasta. 
2. Sauté vegetables and mix with tomato sauce; combine with pasta. 
3. You can also add your favorite meat to this dish for protein. 

Egg and Vegetable Scramble

Another filling (and cheap) Aldi grocery meal is this egg and veggie scramble suggestion from Babych.

Ingredients: 

• Eggs
• Frozen mixed vegetables
• Spinach
• Whole-grain bread

Directions: 

1. Scramble eggs with mixed vegetables and spinach.
2. Serve with toasted whole-grain bread.

Bean Tacos

Registered dietician, Johna Burdeos of Dietician Johana suggested bean tacos as an affordable meal you can buy ingredients for at Aldi. 

Ingredients: 

• 8 soft corn or flour tortillas
• 1 cup dried beans
• 1 onion
• 1-2 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• Shredded lettuce or plain coleslaw
• 1 block of cheddar cheese to shred
• 1 jar of salsa

Directions: 

1. Rinse and soak the dry beans overnight in water. 
2. Cook the soaked beans according to package instructions until they are tender.
3. In a pan, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until softened. 
4. Add the cooked beans to the pan along with cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper.
5. Mash some of the beans with a fork or potato masher to create a chunky texture.
6. Cook the mixture for an additional 5-7 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
7. Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until warm and pliable.
8. Spoon the bean mixture onto each tortilla. 
9. Add your preferred toppings, such as shredded lettuce, grated cheese and/or salsa.

Bean and Rice Soup

This bean and rice soup is flavorful and filling. Best of all, it’s much cheaper than the $5 per person price point. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup dried beans
• 1 cup rice
• 1 onion
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing

Directions: 

1. Rinse and soak the dried beans in water overnight. Drain and rinse the soaked beans.
2. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. 
3. Sauté the diced onion, sliced carrots and minced garlic until they are softened.
4. Add the soaked and rinsed beans to the pot. Stir in the rice, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper.
5. Pour the vegetable or chicken broth into the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
6. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for about 45-60 minutes, or until the beans and rice are cooked and tender. 
7. Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings if necessary.

Avocado Toast With Eggs

Burdeos suggested this meal, which is a twist on the traditional avocado toast and includes a protein kick. 

Ingredients:

• 2 slices 100% whole grain bread
• 1 avocado
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• Salt and pepper or seasonings of your choice

Directions: 

1. Toast the bread. 
2. While the bread is toasting, mash the ripe avocado in a bowl using a fork and season to taste.
3. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the skillet and cook to your liking (fried, sunny-side-up, or over easy).
4. Spread the mashed avocado evenly over each slice of toasted bread. 
5. Place a cooked egg on top of each avocado-covered toast.
6. Sprinkle with additional seasoning as desired.

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