The 10 Best Aldi Cheeses of All Time, According to a Cheesemonger (They’re All $5 or Less)

On the often rare chance I make it to Aldi, I beeline it to the cheese section. A former cheesemonger myself, I often have no less than seven (okay, eight) cheeses from Aldi’s special shelf in my fridge (and in my cheese grotto). That’s a lot of cheese! Or rather, it’s a lot of “chee$$$e.”

To make sure I don’t spend my whole monthly grocery budget on cheese alone, which I could very easily do, I’ve found that Aldi’s cheese section is well worth a visit. Whether you’re stocking up on “Night Cheese” for a cheese board, or just your usual stash, it’s a more-than-solid spot for your needs. The variety of quality options are so well-priced you may even think, Wait, is this the right price?

So if it’s that time of the month (cheese restocking time), here are all the wedges you should pick up on your next shop.

1. Emporium Selection Vintage Irish Cheddar, $3.99 for 7 ounces

Seeing “Irish” as a description on a product is a surefire way to get me to buy most anything. The Irish just do so many things well: butter, sitcoms, and, of course, cheddar. If you’re unfamiliar with Irish cheddars, the Vintage Irish Cheddar from Aldi is a great place to start.

Excellent cheddar is made from the milk of happy cows, and happy cows are grass-grazing cows, which there’s plenty of room for in Ireland. Sharp, buttery, and rich with a bit of fatty crumble, this Vintage Irish Cheddar is my pick for layering in a grilled cheese with sliced apples. Bonus: It’s so good that some even suspect it’s a dupe for the slightly pricier Kerrygold Irish Cheddar.

2. Emporium Selection Shredded Gouda, $3.25 for 8 ounces

To be completely honest, I very much campaign on an Anti-Pre-Shredded Cheese platform. I know too much — mainly that pre-shredded cheese is coated with starches and cellulose to keep it from clumping together. I do make exceptions — specifically for when I need a lot of shredded Gouda, and fast.

This doesn’t happen all that often (really only when I need to make mac and cheese for a crowd), but when it does I soften only for Aldi’s shredded Gouda. Not only is my elbow happier not having had to grate a whole wheel of Gouda, but this pre-shredded bag is also just as rich and savory as a freshly shredded mountain. Consider me slightly off my high horse, just this once.

3. Specially Selected Mobay Cheese, $4.49 for 5 ounces

The Americanized version (in both style and pronunciation) of the French cheese, Morbier, Mobay is Carr Valley’s take on the layered goat and sheep’s milk cheese. When I first picked up Aldi’s Mobay (which I’d venture to guess is also made by Carr Valley), I was drawn in by the pretty layers. But I stayed for the flavor.

Like French Morbier, each wedge of Mobay has an ashy layer in the middle, which was used to separate the morning curds from the evening curds in the cheesemaking process. This Mobay does one better by featuring a grape vine ash pressed between layers of both goat cheese and sheep’s milk cheese. The result? A creamy, earthy, slightly tangy cheese that’s a nice surprise on a cheese board, but also incredible in a Croque Monsieur.

4. Emporium Selection Dill Havarti Cheese, $2.75 for 8 ounces

Dill, to me, is like sprinkles — nearly everything can be improved with a lot of it. So it goes without saying that Aldi’s dill-speckled Havarti was an instant favorite for me. A lush mild Danish Havarti cut with the brininess of dill, Aldi’s ultra-affordable wedges are always in my cart.

There’s very little this cheese won’t improve: Stuff it into burgers, cube it into a chef’s salad, or melt it in a grilled ham and cheese sandwich (stuffed with sliced Cornichon pickles, obvi).

5. Pueblo Lindo Grated Cotija Cheese, $5.35 for 16 ounces

Similar to my shredded Gouda confession, I must admit I love the convenience of Aldi’s pre-grated cotija. Sometimes you need a lot of cotija (and I do!). Freshly made elote and esquites are practically my forever spring and summer side dishes, and if you’ve ever made either before, you know you don’t want to scrimp on the cotija.

I just don’t believe in scrimping on cotija ever, but especially when making elote. Just as nutty and salty as it is in its whole round form, this grated cotija will also ensure your homemade chilaquiles are properly sprinkled with cheese as well.

6. Specially Selected Cheddar Cheese & Parmesan Notes, $3.89 for 7 ounces

If you’re a fan of Trader Joe’s ultra-popular Unexpected Cheddar (and want to save a dime), you’re going to want to stock up on Aldi’s Cheddar & Parmesan block. With the aged nuttiness of Parmesan and the sharp bite of aged cheddar, Aldi’s cheddar cheese with Parmesan notes gives way to crispy, crystalized crunchies (thanks, tyrosine!) and a milky finish.

I have no notes; it’s an objectively great cheese. Every time another grocery store merges cheddar and Parmesan, we all win, don’t we? I love to see it.

7. Happy Farms Garlic Cheddar Cheese Curds, $4.49 for 12 ounces

A visit to Wisconsin’s Art of Cheese Festival last year convinced me of many things, but mostly this: Cheese curds are not just for poutine or frying. You really can just snack on them straight-up out of the bag. While this is maybe not a groundbreaking revelation, it has really changed my cheese snacking game — especially because Aldi sells garlic cheddar cheese curds.

So many of my favorite words all together, these garlic cheddar cheese curds are delightfully squeaky, creamy, and loaded with roasted garlic flavor. I eat them right out of the bag, which I can’t suggest any more highly; they’re also amazing in a baked pasta, broiled on top of flatbreads, or fried and used as croutons for a salad.

8. Emporium Selection Cheddar Cheese + Gruyère, $3.89 for 7 ounces

Much like the cheddar and Parmesan wedge, this cheddar and Gruyère block packs so much complexity to the square inch. How does Aldi fit it all? I’m not sure, but I’m glad it does. One bite and you’ll realize why the combination of sharp cheddar and nutty-fruity Gruyère is a marriage for the ages. In fact, it gets eerily close to my favorite cheese of all time, French Comté, but for a fraction of the price.

9. Emporium Selection Feta, $3.15 for 8 ounces

Allow me just one (more) soap-box moment: In this house, we buy our feta in briny blocks. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a No Pre-Crumbled Feta person. It’s often too dry and lacks the creaminess of brine-packed blocks (maybe you’ve noticed this when trying to make baked feta pasta?)

I get it — sometimes the pre-crumbled stuff is cheaper, but luckily this ultra-creamy block of Aldi feta is the same price (a steal!) as its pre-crumbled tubs, meaning you can affordably get yourself to the creamier side of things. Plus, you can slice your block of feta and fry it until it crisps up to a golden-brown for a memorable mezze platter. Just add a squeeze of lemon!

10. Pueblo Lindo Queso Fresco, $2.49 for 10 ounces

It’s been years since I’ve stocked anything like so-called “Mexican cheese” blends in my fridge, primarily because those blends miss out on the actually incredible Mexican cheeses that exist already, like oaxaca, cotija, and queso fresco. The latter of which, queso fresco, is one of my favorites to keep on hand. 

It has a bright, milky flavor with a sour-salty kick that helps balance heat in dishes when I let things get too spicy (oops). It’s great crumbled on enchiladas, refried beans, and even in a cheesecake (this is next on my to-do list). 

Did your favorite Aldi cheeses make the list? Tell us about it in the comments below.