The $2 Aldi Grocery I’m Stocking in My Pantry This Fall

The first time I shopped at Aldi was close to 15 years ago in the midst of a long road trip. By the time I pulled into this new-to-me grocery store I had already exhausted all of my usual gas station snacks and was looking for different foods to fuel me the rest of the way home. What started as a quick stop turned into a mini sojourn as I rounded each aisle. By the time I spotted the famous “Aisle of Shame”, I knew I’d be back. 

In the intervening years, Aldi stores popped up across the U.S., making shopping there even more convenient. It’s now one of my favorite places to buy budget-friendly groceries, including the loaves of bread that rival homemade (I buy 3 at a time) and the most decadently delicious yogurt. My Aldi pantry staples extend to dinner as well, and one item I always keep stocked is Earthly Grains Couscous. 

Couscous is a delicate, rice-shaped pasta with a nutty flavor made from semolina flour. Aldi sells two varieties: Parmesan and Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil. (An original, plain flavor may occasionally be available, but was not on the shelves of my store on a recent visit.) These flavors are versatile enough that they can be paired with a variety of dinner mains. 

Couscous cooks astonishingly quickly — it’s ready in just five minutes — so it is perfect for weeknight dinners. The couscous from Aldi costs just $1.79 for a 5.8-ounce box (just $0.31 per ounce); at my local grocery store in the Tampa, Florida area, the same size box costs $3.31 (or $0.57 per ounce), which is almost double the cost!

It’s simple to make and serve Aldi’s Earthly Grains Couscous according to the package instructions. The couscous is brought to a boil and then left to steam off of the heat. When it’s ready, just fluff with a fork and serve. I like to add a pat of salted butter and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Toasted nuts and chopped fresh herbs add even more texture and flavor to this simple side dish. 

You can also take inspiration from recipes like this Israeli Couscous Salad (which calls for larger pearls of couscous), by combining Earthly Grains couscous with chickpeas, tomatoes, herbs, and salty feta cheese. Tomatoes may be out of season, but if you find a good-looking hothouse tomato, try stuffing it with couscous, olives, and cheese. It’s also perfect for serving with saucy main dishes because it soaks up all of the delicious flavors without turning soggy. These Harissa Orange Chicken Thighs and these Stuffed Pork Chops were made for serving with couscous. 

Find it in stores: Earthly Grains Couscous, $1.79 for 5.8 ounces

What Aldi groceries are you stocking in your pantry this fall?

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: The $2 Aldi Grocery I’m Stocking in My Pantry This Fall