News & Trending Shopping & Deals News

14 Aldi Italian Foods That Are Better Than Takeout (For a Fraction of the Cost)

Ditch delivery fees and dine in with these budget-friendly meal deals.

aldi italian foods that are better than takeout for a fraction
Updated July 2, 2025
Fact check checkmark icon Fact checked

If it feels like you're spending more on takeout, you aren't alone. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the cost of "food-away-from-home" increased by 3.4 percent between 2024 and 2025.

Instead of breaking the bank on delivery fees just to get a taste of your favorite Italian foods, save money on your next Aldi shopping run and toss these delicious, budget-friendly items in your cart instead.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location. For the most updated list of information, click here.

Get a protection plan on all your appliances

Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.

Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.

For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.

Get a free quote

Priano Spinach and Cheese Manicotti

priano spinach and cheese manicotti

Price: $5.49

A single serving of four-cheese manicotti costs $12.99 at the Olive Garden. Even though you'll get soup or salad with your purchase, you still need to pay delivery and service fees for takeout.

Next time you're at Aldi, you can snag this 19-ounce pack of this spinach and cheese-filled pasta that will feed two people (or more) for under $5.50.

Specially Selected Red Onion and Sweet Chili Jam Flatbread

specially selected red onion and sweet chili jam flatbread

Price: $3.99

Enjoy the taste of a wood-fired flatbread — minus the high price tag of takeout. The Cheesecake Factory's basic cheese version costs $11.95. Instead of a plain tomato sauce and mozzarella pizza, serve your family something special.

This pie-with-pizzaz is topped with a sweet chili jam and savory red onions. Bake it for around 12 minutes in the oven, then slice it into strips and serve it with fresh basil or rosemary.

Bremer Bistro Lasagna with Meat Sauce

bremer bistro lasagna with meat sauce

Price: $5.99

A lasagna entree costs $18 at Texas's local restaurant The Spaghetti Warehouse. Add delivery fees and tipping the driver and you'll pay even more. Aldi's 38-ounce, family-sized meat and mozzarella meal is a budget-friendly deal for under $6.

Earn as much as $1K doing simple online tasks

A company called Freecash has compiled all sorts of quick cash tasks from about a dozen advertisers and market research companies thirsty for more data. Freecash has paid out over $13 million to users since 2019, and has over 50,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot.

Sign up here to see how much you could earn.

Mama Cozzi's Four-Cheese Calzone

mama cozzis four cheese calzone

Price: $2.65

This refrigerated deli deal is just as good as (if not better than) what you'll get from your local pizza shop — except you can keep a couple in your fridge for half the price.

At $2.65 for the seven-ounce size, this is a must-have deal. Papa John's calzone fold-over "Papadias" cost $8.99 and up.


The mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta, and provolone pocket is an easy-to-make hot lunch. Pop it in the microwave or oven and it's ready in minutes.

Mama Cozzi's Take and Bake Cheesy Bread Sticks

mama cozzis take and bake cheesy bread sticks

Price: $4.95

You don't have to give up the taste of breadsticks because you're skipping restaurant takeout. Try this heat-and-eat version that will elevate your Italian dinner at home for less than $5.

Bake for seven to nine minutes, then serve them with Priano Genovese Pesto Sauce ($2.45), Priano Creamy Alfredo Sauce ($1.89), or Reggano Traditional Pasta Sauce ($1.85).

Priano Carbonara Flavored Pasta Bake

priano carbonara flavored pasta bake

Price: $2.99

This 9.8-ounce box contains everything you need to make a rich, creamy carbonara-flavored pasta bake. As a bonus, it costs less than $3. The Olive Garden charges over $17 for one five-cheese ziti bake entree.

Specially Selected Italian Style Wedding Soup

specially selected italian style wedding soup

Price: $3.49

Wedding soup is a classic Italian starter. This 16-ounce jar of the traditional fan favorite has a gourmet taste, with plenty of pasta, veggies, and meatballs.

A serving bowl of soup costs $7.50 at Romano's Macaroni Grill. And that doesn't even include tip or a possible delivery fee from your favorite food service app.

Specially Selected Pesto Tortellini

specially selected pesto tortellini

Price: $2.49

Why spend extra on two Italian items when you can get them for under $2.50? This Aldi private label deal includes cheese-filled pasta and a creamy pesto sauce.

Pair this perfectly priced meal with wedding soup, a green salad, or cheesy garlic bread — and you'll still be paying way less than Italian food takeout from your local restaurant.

Specially Selected Tomato and Mozzarella Macaroni and Cheese

specially selected tomato and mozzarella macaroni and cheese

Price: $2.19

Aldi gave the classic comfort food an Italian makeover. Instead of shells and neon orange cheddar, this upscale foodie find features tomato and mozzarella flavors.

Takeout mac and cheese could cost several times Aldi's $2.19 price. Uno Pizzeria and Grill charges $17.99 for the plain version in one of the chain's Massachusetts stores.

Get instant access to hundreds of discounts

Over 50? Join AARP today— because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks like discounts on travel, dining, and even prescriptions.

Get 25% off membership — just $15 for your first year with auto-renewal — and a free gift if you join today.

Become an AARP member now

Reggano Pasta Entrees Angel Hair with Parmesan Cheese

reggano pasta entrees angel hair with parmesan cheese

Price: $1.45

Delicate angel hair and a sumptuous parm sauce make this under-$1.50 buy a must-have bargain. Don't worry if you're short on time. You can cook this full Italian-inspired meal in five minutes.

Specially Selected Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca

specially selected spaghetti alla puttanesca

Price: $3.49

Don't forget about the frozen food aisle. Even though pasta is primarily a pantry product, this Puttanesca is chilled and ready to heat and eat. Tomatoes, black olives, capers, jalapeno peppers, and anchovy paste give the spaghetti a flavor your family will savor.

Pro tip: to add some protein, toss some of Aldi's Sea Queen medium-cooked shrimp ($5.29) or Kirkwood grilled chicken breast strips ($8.59) into the mix.

Mama Cozzi's Original Beef Toasted Ravioli

mama cozzis original beef toasted ravioli

Price: $4.69

Serve this crispy pasta as a starter or your main meal. You can smother the savory selection with a rich marinara sauce or dip the beef-filled squares into creamy alfredo. Redditor ccarp530 raved, "One of my fav Aldi finds, try them with garlic parm sauce. So good."

Specially Selected Panino Tray

specially selected panino tray

Price: $10.99

Serve an antipasto platter for less. This party-ready assortment of mozzarella wrapped in hard salami, prosciutto, and pepperoni is an easy (and affordable) alternative to catered trays.

How much would you pay for a similar takeout starter? The Spaghetti Warehouse's "Sicilian Sampler" costs $16.

Sundae Shoppe Triple Chocolate Gelato

sundae shoppe triple chocolate gelato

Price: $3.75

Aldi has everything you need to make a full Italian meal, including dessert. While gelato is a popular Italian dessert, you may not find this specialty at many chain eateries.

But that doesn't mean this ultra-creamy Aldi-brand frozen treat isn't less than similar takeout items. Romano's Macaroni Grill sells one serving of premium vanilla bean ice cream for $5 in one of the brand's Ohio eateries — however, you'll get a much smaller serving.

Bottom line

Tada Images/Adobe aldi logo is seen at one of its grocery store


Next time you want to crush your pasta cravings without spending a fortune, remember you can snag these ready-to-heat-and-eat bargains from Aldi.

Italian foods aren't the only deals you can score at Aldi. We spotted deals that can help you save money on everyday essentials in every aisle, from fresh produce to home goods.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details


Must-Read Buzz

Financebuzz logo

Thanks for subscribing!

Please check your email to confirm your subscription.