17 Life-Saving Aldi Food Staples For Busy People

Inside of these delightfully cute, conveniently portioned packages lies 100 calories of surprisingly good guacamole. The dip is smooth, flavorful, and perfect for dunking with chips or veggies — or for spooning onto a sandwich, wrap, or salad.

This tender, fully cooked pork is smoky and slightly sweet, and it adds protein and a hint of spice to anything from salads and stir-frys to sandwiches and stews. It's ready after three minutes in the microwave, and at $3 per five-serving package, it's an unbelievable bargain.

Roasted pistachios add a salty crunch to snacks, like trail mix, or even meals, like salads with crispy greens, creamy cheese, and sweet fruit. And since they're filling, just one purchase goes a long way.

On a piece of sourdough toast with cream cheese and capers, this smoked salmon tastes just as good as the lox at trendy bunch eateries, and at $2 a serving, it's a huge money saver. You should also try it with rye bread and a hard-boiled egg for a protein-packed breakfast.

Fajita night just got a heck of a lot easier with this colorful blend of peppers and onion. A quick stint on the stove has this handy bag of mix-ins ready for frittatas, hashes, fried rice, and just about anything under the sun.

Spontaneous get-together at your place? This crispy, cheesy flatbread is ready to whet the appetites of any hungry bunch in minutes. The crust is spread with luscious crème fraîche and pear sauce, and it's adorned with sliced pear and generous pieces of melting Emmental and Roquefort cheeses.

A perfect first course is ready in 60 seconds with this kale salad kit, filled with crispy greens, sweet dried cranberries, salty pepitas, and a poppy-seed dressing that ties it all together. Add grilled chicken for a salad you'll be more than happy to take to work.

If you're craving tikka masala but don't have the ingredients to make it from scratch, this simmer sauce can cure all of your woes. The creamy, medium-spiced tomato sauce is seasoned with ginger and coriander, so it has all the flavor you need for a tasty pairing with rice and chicken or tofu.

When cooked for a few minutes on a pan with just a touch of olive oil, these taste more like crispy veggie fritters than plain old patties. I love to eat them on a bed of greens with guacamole and tomatoes; the contrast between the warm, crispy veggie burger with the cool, creamy guac provides the perfect midday pick-me-up.

Nothing makes my morning Greek yogurt more appetizing than this sweet, chewy, and crunchy mix of dried pineapple, banana, papaya, coconut, and raisins. A handful of this medley with a few nuts makes for a satisfying snack you can eat as you're running out of the door — and its tropical flavors make you forget that you're not lying on a secluded beach.

No energy to cook or even order takeout? With this frozen entree, consider your problem solved. Chow mein noodles, tender chicken, and crispy carrots and bok choy are coated in a savory, tangy sauce. At less than 300 calories a serving, it's a meal you can feel good about eating as you're curled up on the couch.

These zesty Southwestern chicken strips are perfectly seasoned and ready to jazz up your salads, wraps, and grain bowls in a jiffy. Grab a couple of packs on your next grocery run, and you've got a base for every lunch that week.

A hearty but easy homemade breakfast is in your future if you pick up these versatile spuds. It's in your best interest to heat them on the stove with chopped peppers and bacon — and to serve the resulting hash with lots of fried eggs and sourdough toast.

Smoky, salty diced pancetta is a key ingredient in a host of amazing Italian pastas, like spaghetti carbonara or amatriciana. Keep a package in your fridge at all times, and you're prepared to whip up any simple pasta in a pinch.

I'm not proud to admit it, but I too often crave boxed macaroni and cheese. When it's organic, made with blissfully sharp white cheddar cheese, and costs less than $1 a serving, though, I regret no part of the creamy goodness.

This marinated blend of black and green olives, roasted red peppers, button mushrooms, and provolone cheese is perfect for happy hour when paired with a glass of wine — especially when enjoyed with salami and a baguette for the ideal cheese plate on a budget.

Sweet smoothies and margaritas are made easy with delicious mango, prechopped and frozen fresh. If you're really interested in saving time by meal prepping, try dividing the package among these freezer-friendly smoothie bags.