5 Aldi Lunch Ideas You’ll Actually Look Forward To

You don’t have to splurge on expensive gourmet ingredients for your mid-day meal. Aldi has everything you need for a better-than-basic lunch.

Instead of expensive name-brand buys, swap out the priciest picks for store-brand bargains. And try these genius Aldi hacks to save money on your next meal.

Remember that each option's total price isn’t for just one meal. You can make several days' worth of lunches from one Aldi haul or switch up the ingredients and combine our ideas into your own creative concoction.

Editor’s note : Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

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1. Dressed-Up Pulled Chicken and Spinach Salad

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What to buy: Park Street Deli Pulled Chicken ($6.99), Specially Selected Brioche Buns ($3.75), Happy Farms Pepper Jack Cheese ($1.65), Tuscan Gardens Jalapeno Peppers ($2.39), Tuscan Gardens Italian Dressing ($1.89), Red and Orange Bell Peppers ($2.59), Spinach ($1.49), Sunset Grape Tomatoes ($1.59)

Total price: $22.34

Aldi’s store-brand pulled chicken comes dressed in BBQ sauce and is ready to heat and serve.

Pile the slow-cooked boneless shredded chicken onto a buttery brioche roll, melt a slice of spicy pepper jack cheese, and complete the sandwich with a sprinkle of jalapenos or sliced red and orange bell peppers.

Toss together a spinach salad and add a healthy side to your sandwich. At $1.49 per bag, Aldi’s ready-to-eat spinach is an affordable option that you can use for more than just this meal.

Mix in grape tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, and a zesty Italian dressing. If you want to spice things up, a handful of jalapenos will do the trick.

Even though the over-$20 total may seem steep, this tasty lunch-time idea is more than just a single serving. Feed yourself, a few friends, or your whole family — and get leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.

2. Mediterranean Feast

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What to buy: Park Street Deli Taboule Salad ($2.99), Park Street Deli Roasted Garlic Hummus ($2.49), Emporium Selection Crumbled Feta Cheese ($1.89), Mediterranean Salad Kit ($2.99), L’Oven Fresh Whole Wheat, Flax, and Oat Bran Pita Bread ($2.69)

Total price: $13.05

Make a Med-inspired feast in minutes. Spread creamy garlic-flavored hummus onto a healthy wheat, flax, and oat bran pita.

Aldi recently lowered this healthy flat bread by $0.20. Bulk up this wrap with a generous helping of Aldi’s bagged Mediterranean salad blend and a crumble of Feta cheese.

Serve a side of ready-made taboule with this light lunch. Aldi’s seven-ounce container is a bargain (for $2.99) compared to the $3.99 or higher price tag you’ll find at other stores. And, if you’re still craving more, Earthy Grains Couscous ($1.49) is an easy-to-make add-on.

3. Lemon Poppy Seed Chicken Salad Sandwich

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What to buy: Park Street Deli Lemon Poppy Seed Chicken Salad Sandwich ($4.79), Spinach ($1.49), L’Oven Fresh Whole Wheat Sandwich Skinnies ($1.89)

Total Price: $8.17

No time to make lunch? No problem. Aldi’s Park Street Deli lemon poppy seed chicken salad is ready to spread on bread. Instead of a thick, crusty roll, lighten things up and scoop the citrusy blend onto a whole wheat “sandwich skinny.”

Make yourself a soup and sandwich combo with a Specially Selected Broccoli and Cheddar Cup ($2.69). The rich, hearty blend of veggies and cheese will fill you up for the rest of the day.

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4. Gourmet BLT Wraps

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What to buy: L’Oven Fresh Spinach Herb Wraps ($1.89), Spinach ($1.49), Appleton Thick-Sliced Bacon ($3.99), Simply Nature Organic Thick and Chunk Salsa ($2.59)

Total price: $9.96

Skip the traditional bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich and try this grown-up gourmet version. Cook Appleton’s thick-sliced bacon until it’s crispy.

Stack the cooked bacon, ready-to-eat fresh bagged spinach, and a few spoonfuls of spicy salsa onto a savory spinach and herb shell. Roll up the wrap, and you’re ready to eat. Add a side of Black Bean Salad ($2.99) or spoon the already-prepared mix into the wrap.

Compare Aldi’s Appleton thick-sliced bacon’s $3.99 price to Hormel Black Label’s higher cost of $5.99. But the savings don’t stop there.

Target sells Mission spinach and herb wraps for $4.29. You’ll get the same tangy taste at Aldi for the budget-friendly L’Oven price of $1.89.

5. Rotini Pasta Salad

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Price: $4.99

This prepared pick is one of the easiest and most affordable lunch options from Aldi. You’ll get one whole pound of pasta salad for less than $5. Simply spoon the salad into a bowl, grab a fork, and lunch is served.

Make the salad into a side and add a Deli Sliced Buffalo Style Chicken Breast ($3.09) sandwich to this meal. Instead of the same bland bread you always use, shake things up and try L’Oven Fresh Everything Bagels.

The sesame seed, poppy seed, salt, garlic, and onion blend has all the spice you’ll need. This Aldi brand retails for a low price of $1.95. Pepperidge Farms’ version costs almost $3 more.

Squeeze a generous portion of Burman’s Spicy Brown Mustard ($1.25) inside the savory sammie for extra flavor.

Bottom line

Make lunch planning a breeze with bargain buys from Aldi. The retailer’s value prices make it easy to stay on budget without sacrificing quality for cost.

Aldi can help you save money on essentials, prepared foods, freezer finds, fresh produce, and more. But that’s not the only way to lower your grocery bill. Use your favorite rewards credit card to earn cash back on eligible purchases.

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