I'm a mom and food scientist who shops for 5. Here are 8 delicious items I love buying at Aldi.

Abhiya Ahmed
·4 min read
4

  • As a food scientist and mom, I love shopping at Aldi for high-quality, budget-friendly items.

  • My family loves the Simply Nature organic fruit-flavored snacks and Rao's homemade marinara sauce.

  • I also love picking up items like cottage cheese, cilantro, Irish butter, and salad kits.

Grocery shopping is one of my favorite activities. I love browsing through aisles, reading ingredient statements, and checking out the latest and greatest products.

I guess that's not too surprising because, in my professional life, I'm a food scientist. This means I ensure a product is safe, nutritious, and consistently meets consumer expectations. I've worked on many products on grocery store shelves, such as baking mixes, seasonings, sauces, popcorn, and more.

I'm also a mom and, like many Americans, my family of five regularly shops at Aldi. The store carries low-priced groceries that are in rising demand — the fast-growing retailer already has plans to open 800 new locations by the end of 2028.

After years of shopping at Aldi on a weekly basis, here are my must-have items.

Cottage cheese is a staple in lots of my favorite recipes.

Containers of Friendly Farms low-fat cottage cheese in a refrigerator at Aldi. The price tag reads $2.50.
I love adding Friendly Farms cottage cheese to my eggs for extra protein.Abhiya Ahmed

Cottage cheese is really having its moment, and I'm so here for it. I love adding a scoop to eggs for an extra protein boost, and making cottage-cheese cookie dough as a sweet treat.

Our whole family enjoys the Simply Nature organic fruit-flavored snacks.

Boxes of Simply Nature fruit-flavored mixed-berry snacks.
The Simply Nature organic fruit-flavored snacks are in the shape of cute woodland animals.Abhiya Ahmed

My toddler loves the Simply Nature organic fruit-flavored gummies from Aldi — and so does the rest of our family.

They have a wonderful texture and berry flavor. Plus, they're in the shape of cute woodland animals.

I always grab a pack or two of cilantro when I shop at Aldi.

Bags of cilantro in cardboard boxes that read "Tanimura & Antle Fresh Herbs."
I use cilantro in curries, salads, and sauces. Abhiya Ahmed

I love grabbing a pack or two of cilantro when I shop at Aldi. I use it as a garnish for curries, an addition to salads, and a key ingredient in marinades and sauces.

I also like that it's packed nicely in a bag, so the cilantro doesn't wilt or decay as quickly.

The Fresh Express pesto-Caesar-salad kit works as a side dish or meal.

Bags of Fresh Express pesto-caesar-salad kits.
The Fresh Express pesto-Caesar-salad kit is a versatile staple.Abhiya Ahmed

Aldi's Fresh Express pesto-Caesar-salad kit makes a great side for pizza night. My favorite "hack" is to place the salad directly on top of a slice of pizza — I've found that it instantly makes the slice more filling.

This salad kit also works as an easy lunch topped with chicken.

Rao's homemade marinara sauce is a versatile pantry staple.

Jars of Rao's Homemade sauce on a shelf at Aldi.
My whole family loves Rao's homemade marinara sauce.Abhiya Ahmed

My family can't get enough of Rao's homemade marinara sauce. In fact, it's a staple in our pantry. I've used it on pizza, as an ingredient in lasagna soup, and even as a dip for air-fried eggplant bites.

I love Aldi's spinach-Parmesan tzatziki.

Containers of spinach-Parmesan tzatziki with Greek Yogurt.
Aldi's spinach-Parmesan tzatziki pairs well with crackers.Abhiya Ahmed

I always like to pick up a container of spinach-Parmesan tzatziki when I'm at Aldi. Made with Greek yogurt, this delicious dip pairs well with crackers. It can also make a great spread for bagels.

Clancy's white-cheddar-cheese popcorn reminds me of the Smartfood version.

Bags of Clancy's white-cheddar-cheese popcorn.
As someone who's worked on popcorn as a food scientist, I highly recommend this product.Abhiya Ahmed

If you love Smartfood's white-cheddar popcorn, you'll enjoy the Clancy's version from Aldi.

As someone who has worked extensively on popcorn as a food scientist, I highly recommend this product. The popcorn pieces are large and have a perfect crunch.

I use the Countryside Creamery pure Irish butter in eggs.

Boxes of Countryside Creamery pure Irish Butter in an open cardboard box in the refrigerator at Aldi. The price tag underneath reads $3.09.
The Countryside Creamery pure Irish butter easily elevates any recipe.Abhiya Ahmed

I love making my toddler's eggs with Countryside Creamery pure Irish butter because it makes them delightfully buttery and fluffy in texture, and compliments the flavor of the eggs. This butter is rich and smooth and easily elevates any recipe.

Read the original article on Business Insider