15 Foods Worth Grabbing at Walmart If You're Craving Italian

Italian food is known for its fresh ingredients, classic flavors, and varied textures. But dining out on it can be a big drain on your budget. Fortunately, you can find some of the most storied staples in Walmart’s aisles, where you can save money on everyday essentials.

Here are 15 inexpensive Walmart items you’ll want to stock up on for the next time you have a jonesing for Italian food.

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

Price: $5.44

These Italian-style meatballs are gluten-free and made of 100% premium pork. With 18 grams of protein per serving, you get the added flavor of a parmesan, romano, and asiago cheese blend in the recipe.

Ready in just 30 minutes, they’re the perfect meal, snack, or pasta topping.

Price: $2.38

Can you really have a pasta meal without bread? Italians love their garlic, and this 16-ounce loaf of bread is loaded with it. With 170 calories and four grams of protein per serving, you can prepare an entire crusty, buttery loaf for eight people in the oven or on the grill in 10 minutes or less.

Price: $3.94

Fresh bruschetta is overrated, especially when you have a jar of Caramia’s version. This gourmet-level, shelf-stable condiment is made with fresh vegetables.

One customer claims it “tastes delicious on warm crostini with some chopped salami and provolone.”

Price: $3.48

Notable for the tangy combination of vinegar, sugar, olive oil, parmesan, and herbs, Italian vinaigrette is an experience unto itself.

Adding it to plain noodles can almost make an entire pasta salad, and keeping it in stock for your greens-packed side salad will punch up the flavor.

Price: $7.63

Stock up on this creamy, medium-grain rice typically used in traditional Italian recipes for a reasonable price at Walmart.

Perfect when used for risotto or rice pudding, this gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher grain comes in a 100% recyclable jar for just 38 cents per serving.

Price: $5.47

If you’re avoiding red meat for any reason, these plant-based Italian-style meatballs might scratch that itch when you’re having a craving

. Each serving is just 290 calories and delivers 19 grams of protein and 30 percent less saturated fat and sodium than other options.

Price: $1 (on sale from $1.47)

There's almost nothing better than biting into a sandwich featuring premium fluffy Italian bread. This one has just 40 calories and two grams of protein per slice.

At just about 17 cents per slice, the price is hard to beat.

Price: $4.92 (on sale from $5.48)

Italian gelato is one of the most decadent, creamy desserts you can get your hands on. Talenti sells whole pints in 100% recycled jars.

Choose from flavors like the palate cleanser Pacific Coast Pistachio, the espresso-fiend-friendly Cold Brew Coffee and Coffee Chocolate Chip, fruity Aphonso Mango, or layered options like Salted Caramel Truffle.

Price: $4.27

Eating ravioli is an almost religious experience. Luckily, you can have it ready in five minutes or less if you stock up on this affordable Italian-style, cheese-filled pasta at Walmart.

Each serving size is just 85 cents, delivering 10 grams of protein and a nice helping of calcium.

Price: $9.84

If you want a piping hot, layered lasagna like your nona made, Stouffer’s Lasagna Italiano is surprisingly good. Made with real mozzarella, this meat-loaded dish contains 240 calories and 13 grams of protein per serving.

You can microwave it, bake it in the oven, or even stick it in your slow cooker.

Price: $4.87

These minimally processed sausages are made with 100% natural, no-filler chicken. Slice them up and add them to a pasta dish, or grill them on a bed of fresh produce and olive oil to get your fix.

Juicy with the perfect pop on the casing, each link has 110 calories and 13 grams of protein.

Price: $4.22

A classic Italian dessert is the cannoli, a cream-filled sweet pastry shell. This whipped, sugary ricotta-filled sweet has a layer of chocolate on the inside and is dusted with powdered sugar.

While you’ll be hard-pressed to find one at a bakery for less than $3, you can grab a five-pack for just 84 cents each.

Price: $2.72

There’s nothing like pasta imported from Italy as the base of a really great dish. Rao’s has a homemade fusilli that is made of durum semolina flour and water before being dried slowly, and it’s extra delicious.

It has the perfect spiral shape for ingredients and spices in varying sauces to tuck away and marinate.

Price: $1.48

For a quick, pre-made pasta mix, Pasta Roni’s vermicelli with garlic and olive oil serves as an attractive side dish. Customers love how simple and delicious this dish is.

It’s ready in 20 minutes or less with water and butter. Throw it in as a main with an added protein or red sauce.

Price: $17.36 (on sale from $22.50)

A classic Italian biscotti will satisfy the craving for a crunchy biscuit cookie that’s not too sweet. These little rectangles are great when dunked in your morning coffee, enjoyed as an afternoon snack, or as a late-night indulgence.

Each piece costs about 30 cents, has 90 calories, and two grams of protein.

When you’re craving a delicious pile of pasta at a fancy Italian restaurant, a smart way to save money is to stock up on easy essential ingredients and add-ons and make it at home.

Ingredients like olive oil and coffee work for a variety of Italian recipes and can often be found on sale at the mega-retailer