When it comes to feeding two people on just $50 a week, Aldi is the ultimate destination. Known for its unbeatable prices and quality products, Aldi offers a wide variety of budget-friendly staples that don’t compromise on nutrition. Here are 19 must-have items, complete with nutritional details, preparation tips, and why they’re perfect for a retiree’s budget-friendly meal plan.
1. Penne Pasta $0.79/16 oz
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 200
- Fat: 1g
- Carbs: 42g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 7g
Ingredients
Semolina (wheat), durum wheat flour.
Preparation Instructions
Bring water to a boil, add salt (optional), and cook the pasta for 9-11 minutes. Drain and serve with marinara sauce for a simple, budget-friendly meal.
2. Marinara Sauce $1.49/24 oz
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 1g
- Carbs: 12g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
- Protein: 2g
Ingredients
Tomato puree, diced tomatoes, sugar, salt, garlic, onion, spices.
Preparation Instructions
Heat on the stovetop or microwave and serve over pasta or as a base for casseroles.
3. Frozen Steam Cut Green Beans $0.95/12 oz
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 25
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 5g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 1g
Ingredients
Green beans.
Preparation Instructions
Microwave in the steamable bag for 4-5 minutes or sauté with garlic and olive oil for extra flavor.
4. Yellow Onions $1.99/3 lb bag
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 45
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 11g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 1g
Ingredients
Yellow onions.
Preparation Instructions
Chop and sauté to use as a flavor base for soups, stews, or stir-fries.
5. Baby Peeled Carrots $1.09/16 oz
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 35
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 8g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 1g
Ingredients
Baby carrots.
Preparation Instructions
Eat raw as a snack, roast with olive oil, or add to soups and salads.
6. Canned Black Beans $0.65/15 oz
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 110
- Fat: 0.5g
- Carbs: 20g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Dietary Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 7g
Ingredients
Black beans, water, salt.
Preparation Instructions
Drain and rinse before adding to soups, salads, or making bean burritos with tortillas.
7. Split Top Wheat Bread $1.29/20 oz
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 1g
- Carbs: 12g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 3g
Ingredients
Enriched wheat flour, yeast, sugar, salt.
Preparation Instructions
Perfect for sandwiches or toast with peanut butter.
8. Flour Tortillas $1.95/20 ct
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 3g
- Carbs: 25g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 3g
Ingredients
Enriched bleached flour, water, vegetable oil, salt, baking powder.
Preparation Instructions
Use for wraps, quesadillas, or breakfast burritos.
9. Peanut Butter $2.19/18 oz
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 190
- Fat: 16g
- Carbs: 7g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Protein: 8g
Ingredients
Peanuts, sugar, palm oil, salt.
Preparation Instructions
Spread on bread or bananas for a quick snack.
10. 1% Milk or Unsweetened Almond Milk $1.35/1 gallon (1% Milk) or $2.19/64 oz (Almond Milk)
Nutritional Facts
1% Milk
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 2.5g
- Carbs: 12g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 8g
Unsweetened Almond Milk
- Calories: 30
- Fat: 2.5g
- Carbs: 1g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 1g
Ingredients
Milk or almonds, filtered water, vitamins, and minerals.
Preparation Instructions
Use in cereal, oatmeal, or smoothies.
11. Bananas $0.48/lb
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 105
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 27g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 14g
- Protein: 1g
Ingredients
Fresh bananas.
Preparation Instructions
Eat as-is, slice into oatmeal, or freeze for smoothies.
12. Rolled Oats $2.29/42 oz
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 3g
- Carbs: 27g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 5g
Ingredients
100% whole grain oats.
Preparation Instructions
Cook with water or milk on the stovetop or microwave, then top with bananas or frozen blueberries.
13. Long Grain and Wild Rice Mix $1.49/6 oz box
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 1g
- Carbs: 35g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 4g
Ingredients
Long grain rice, wild rice, seasonings.
Preparation Instructions
Cook according to package instructions as a side dish or add vegetables and protein for a complete meal.
14. Frozen Italian Meatballs or Frozen Vegan Meatballs $4.49/24 oz
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 180 (Italian) / 140 (Vegan)
- Fat: 13g / 6g
- Carbs: 6g / 10g
- Sodium: 480mg / 340mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g / 3g
- Sugar: 1g / 2g
- Protein: 10g / 10g
Ingredients
Beef or plant-based ingredients.
Preparation Instructions
Heat in the oven or microwave and serve with marinara and pasta.
15. Bagged Spinach $1.89/8 oz
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 20
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 3g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 2g
Ingredients
Fresh spinach.
Preparation Instructions
Use raw in salads, sauté with garlic, or add to smoothies.
16. Canned Tomatoes $0.79/14.5 oz
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 35
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 7g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 1g
Ingredients
Tomatoes, tomato juice, salt, citric acid.
Preparation Instructions
Add to soups, stews, or use as a base for pasta sauce.
17. Frozen Blueberries $2.95/12 oz
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 80
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 19g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 13g
- Protein: 1g
Ingredients
Blueberries.
Preparation Instructions
Use in oatmeal, smoothies, or as a topping for yogurt.
18. Instant Mashed Potatoes $1.45/13 oz
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 80
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 18g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 2g
Ingredients
Dehydrated potatoes, seasoning.
Preparation Instructions
Combine with boiling water or milk and stir until smooth.
19. Sweet Potatoes $0.89/lb
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 112
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 26g
- Sodium: 72mg
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 2g
Ingredients
Fresh sweet potatoes.
Preparation Instructions
Bake, boil, or mash and season with cinnamon or butter.
Conclusion
Aldi’s affordable, high-quality products make it easy to stick to a $50 weekly grocery budget without sacrificing nutrition or flavor. With these 19 essentials, you can create balanced, delicious meals for two while simplifying your retirement budget. Try these picks on your next Aldi trip and see how far your dollar can go!
