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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.