Walking into Aldi can feel overwhelming with all the choices stacked in those freezers. But here’s something most people don’t know: some of Aldi’s frozen foods are actually better than what you’d find at other grocery stores, and they cost way less. Food testers have tried dozens of these frozen options, ranking everything from pizza to pot pies, and the results might change what you toss in your cart next time. These aren’t just cheap frozen dinners that taste like cardboard — we’re talking about meals that could pass for homemade and treats that rival expensive restaurant appetizers.
Bremer’s shepherd’s pie beats everything else
This isn’t your typical frozen dinner that leaves you hungry an hour later. Bremer’s shepherd’s pie comes packed with seasoned ground beef, chunky carrots, sweet peas, and creamy mashed potatoes on top. The whole thing cooks in your microwave in just 14 minutes, which is faster than most delivery services. What really sets this apart is that it actually tastes like someone spent hours making it from scratch, not like it came from a freezer.
The mashed potatoes have real butter taste and aren’t that weird gummy texture you sometimes get with frozen meals. The meat sauce underneath is properly seasoned with enough salt and pepper that you won’t need to add anything. It’s technically a cottage pie since it uses beef instead of lamb, but nobody really cares about that when they’re eating dinner. The portion size feeds a family of four easily, making it one of the better deals in the frozen section at around $5 or less.
The meat lasagna gets crispy edges in the microwave
Most frozen lasagnas turn into a soggy mess when you microwave them. Not this one. The Bremer Bistro lasagna somehow manages to get those edges crispy even when you skip the oven entirely. The cheese stretches when you pull a piece out, and the noodles are thick enough that they don’t fall apart. It’s definitely rich and greasy, but that’s exactly what you want from lasagna sometimes.
This isn’t something you’d eat every week unless you want to feel terrible, but for those nights when you need comfort food fast, it works perfectly. The meat sauce has a good ratio to the cheese and noodles, so you’re not just eating a pile of pasta. You should probably serve it with a simple salad on the side because it’s pretty heavy on its own. The whole tray costs less than ordering a single serving of lasagna from most Italian restaurants, and it feeds multiple people.
Chipotle chicken bowls actually taste like cilantro
If you’re one of those people who thinks cilantro tastes like soap, skip this one entirely. But if you love cilantro, the Bettr Bowl chipotle chicken has plenty of it mixed in with jasmine rice, roasted corn, kale, and avocado crema. The chicken actually tastes like real chicken breast, not that mystery meat texture you get in some frozen meals. It’s not super spicy despite the chipotle label, so even people who don’t like hot food can probably handle it.
The bowl comes in a microwave-safe container that you can eat straight from, which means fewer dishes to wash later. It takes about five minutes to heat up, and you don’t need to add anything to make it taste good. Some testers said it’s just as good as what you’d get at Chipotle restaurant, minus the long wait in line. At under $4 per bowl, it’s definitely cheaper than going out for lunch. The portion is filling enough for one person without being so much that you feel stuffed afterward.
Mozzarella and mushroom pizza tastes gourmet
Most frozen pizzas use regular cheese and call it a day. This one from Aldi’s specialty line uses both mozzarella and mascarpone cheese, which makes the whole thing taste way fancier than it should for $4.49. The mushrooms are actual large pieces, not those tiny sad bits that barely count as vegetables. They’re meaty and add a rich taste to every bite, even the slices that don’t have mushroom pieces on them.
The mascarpone creates a creamy layer that works like a white sauce, so there’s no red sauce on this pizza at all. The crust is thick and chewy with good structure that doesn’t flop over when you pick up a slice. This could easily serve two people for a light dinner, or one very hungry person. It’s probably the best vegetarian frozen pizza option at Aldi, and it doesn’t taste like you’re missing out by skipping the meat. The cheese gets properly melted and slightly browned on top when you follow the cooking directions.
Cherry tomato and arugula pizza uses fresh ingredients
You can actually see the seeds in the cherry tomato halves on this pizza, which is weird for a frozen product. The arugula stays bright green even after freezing, and when you heat it up, the whole thing smells like fresh basil. This Italian-style pizza has a thin layer of sauce that lets the other toppings shine instead of drowning everything in tomato paste. The crust even has cornmeal on the bottom, which adds texture and makes it taste more authentic.
The tomatoes taste like something from a garden, not that bland flavor you usually get with frozen vegetables. The arugula adds a peppery taste that cuts through the cheese and makes each bite more interesting. This is the kind of pizza you could serve to guests without being embarrassed that it came from a freezer. The crust gets crispy on the outside but stays chewy in the middle, which is exactly the right texture. At $4.49, it’s cheaper than ordering delivery and honestly tastes better than most pizza chains.
Coconut shrimp rivals restaurant appetizers
For $3.85, you get a bunch of jumbo butterfly shrimp covered in coconut breading and a packet of orange marmalade dipping sauce. The shrimp are actually large, not those tiny ones that are mostly breading. When you bake them, the coconut gets toasted and crunchy without burning. The shrimp inside stays juicy and doesn’t have that cheap seafood taste that sometimes comes with frozen fish products.
The dipping sauce comes in a separate packet that you just heat up in hot water, and it’s surprisingly thick with visible orange zest in it. It tastes similar to what you’d get at chain restaurants that charge $12 for coconut shrimp appetizers. The breading is properly salted, so you don’t need to add anything. These work great as an appetizer for parties or as a quick dinner when you don’t feel like cooking something complicated. They take about 15 minutes in the oven and come out perfect every time.
Potato and cheddar pierogies cost just over two dollars
A whole pound of pierogies for $2.19 sounds too cheap to be good, but these actually compete with the name brand options that cost twice as much. The pasta wrapper is soft but doesn’t fall apart when you cook them. The potato filling inside is creamy and buttery with enough cheddar cheese that you can actually taste it. Each pierogi is a decent size, so you don’t need to eat 20 of them to feel satisfied.
You can cook these in boiling water, fry them in a pan with butter, or toss them in the air fryer. They work great on their own with some sour cream, or you can add them to chicken soup instead of noodles. Some people like to fry up some onions and bacon to serve with them. The point is they’re cheap and versatile enough to use in lots of different ways. They’re comfort food that doesn’t require much effort or money, which is pretty much the perfect combination for busy weeknights.
Chicken pot pie has actual chunks of vegetables
The Bremer chicken pot pie comes in a small paper container that you heat it in and eat from, which saves you from dirtying dishes. Inside the flaky crust, there’s chicken that tastes identical to what you’d find in Campbell’s chicken soup — which isn’t fancy, but it’s familiar and comforting. The carrots and potatoes are cut into actual chunks that you can see and bite into, not that mushy vegetable paste some frozen meals try to pass off.
The gravy is thick and savory with enough seasoning that it doesn’t taste bland. The crust stays flaky on top and doesn’t get soggy from the filling, even though you’re heating the whole thing in a microwave. One pot pie is enough food for one hungry person or could work as a side dish for two people. It takes less than 15 minutes from freezer to table, which beats cooking from scratch when you’re tired. The whole thing costs around $3, making it cheaper than most fast food meals and probably better for you too.
Beef toasted ravioli has a crunchy coating
These aren’t your regular boiled ravioli. Mama Cozzi’s toasted ravioli are breaded and baked until crispy on the outside. The beef filling inside tastes high quality, not like cheap ground meat. The breading has Italian herbs and parmesan cheese mixed in, so every bite has lots going on. They’re similar to what you’d order as an appetizer at an Italian restaurant, but you’re making them at home for a fraction of the price.
You can make these in your oven or air fryer, but they won’t work in the microwave because the breading needs to get crispy. They take about 15 minutes to cook and come out golden brown with a satisfying crunch. You could serve them with marinara sauce for dipping, or just eat them plain since they’re already well-seasoned. They work as a snack, an appetizer for parties, or even as a main dish if you make enough of them. The box costs under $5 and has plenty of ravioli in it.
Shopping at Aldi doesn’t mean settling for low quality frozen food anymore. These options prove you can get restaurant-quality meals and snacks without spending a fortune or wasting time cooking from scratch. Next time you’re walking past those freezers, grab a few of these highly-rated items and see for yourself why people keep coming back for them. Your weeknight dinners just got a whole lot easier and cheaper.
