9 Aldi Frozen Sides Worth Grabbing Every Time You Shop (All Under $5)

Are you looking for creative ways to stretch your Aldi budget further? We've rounded up the season's best sides — and they won't break the bank.

If you want convenience, quality, and low cost, luckily, these frozen finds have all three. From nutrient-rich butternut squash to cheesy Texas toast, you can transform a hum-drum dinner into a fab feast with these affordable add-ons.

At under $5 each, you can fill your cart with a selection of ready-to-heat-and-eat sides and still have room in your budget to snag something from Aldi's home goods aisle.

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

Price: $1.65

Brussels sprouts are an easy, nutritious side. Steam the spouts, air-fry them with olive oil and a pinch of salt, or bake them in a sweet balsamic glaze.

This 12-ounce bag is a steal for $1.65 and is a great way to save money on groceries. You'll pay $1.99 for a 10.8-ounce size of Bird's Eye frozen Brussels sprouts from Target.

A three-quarter-cup serving has just 45 calories and 3 grams of protein, so they're a low-calorie way to round out a plate. 

The bag is preservative-free and designed to steam right in the packaging, meaning there's no need to dirty a pot. 

Brussels sprouts are also a good source of vitamin C and fiber, making this an easy nutritional upgrade over a starchier side like white rice or mashed potatoes.

Price: $1.89

Swap out the same side dishes you usually make for this garlic and herbs cauliflower rice. The savory selection is a sneaky way to make your meal healthier.

Each serving has 83 percent fewer carbs than white rice. Steam the mix and pair it with fish or another lean meat. Snag the 12-ounce bag for $1.89. A smaller 7.05-ounce pack of FullGreen's Riced Cauliflower costs $2.89 at Target.

Riced cauliflower is a popular low-carb substitute for grains in dishes like stir fry, burrito bowls, and fried rice, and the garlic and herb seasoning means it doesn't need much doctoring before serving. 

Because the bag steams in the microwave, it's ready in just a few minutes, making it a quick weeknight side when there isn't time to chop and rice a fresh head of cauliflower.

Price: $2.15

Broccoli is filled with healthy antioxidants and plenty of fiber. If you want an easy way to add some serious nutrition to a meal, pop this 10-ounce steam-in-bag pack into the microwave. The preservative-free, non-GMO florets are also USDA organic.

Save money with this $2.15 Aldi store-brand buy. Whole Foods Market sells the same Cascadian Farms frozen organic broccoli for $4.49.

Because they're plain, unseasoned florets, they leave room to season however a recipe calls for, whether that's a drizzle of olive oil and lemon, a sprinkle of parmesan, or a splash of soy sauce for an Asian-inspired plate. 

Reviewers of Aldi's frozen vegetable lineup tend to rate plain items like these broccoli florets among the most reliable for texture and flavor consistency compared with pre-seasoned medleys.

Price: $2.75

You don't have to spend a fortune to eat healthy. For $2.75, you can get this 10-ounce pack of organic, non-GMO butternut squash. Steam the bag in your microwave in minutes, and add the subtly sweet veggies to your favorite low-fat pasta, grilled chicken, or tofu recipe.

Save almost a dollar on this Aldi buy. You'll pay $3.39 for Whole Foods' frozen cubed squash.

Pre-cubed and pre-cooked in the bag, this squash skips the peeling and chopping that fresh butternut squash requires, which can otherwise take up a good chunk of prep time. 

Butternut squash is naturally rich in vitamin A and fiber, and its mild sweetness makes it a versatile addition to soups, grain bowls, or roasted vegetable sides beyond just pasta and protein pairings.

Price: $2.15

Make plain bread baskets a thing of the past. This five-cheese Texas Toast is a warm, savory side with a flavor you'll savor. You can serve the mozzarella, cheddar, provolone, asiago, and parmesan-covered pick with spaghetti and meat sauce, lasagna, chicken parm, or seared steak and veggies.

Nab an eight-count box for $2.15 Target sells the same size pack of New York Bakery's frozen garlic Texas Toast for $3.19.

Each slice bakes directly from frozen in a conventional oven or toaster oven, so there's no thawing required before serving. 

Because it's a five-cheese blend rather than a single cheese, it delivers a more layered, savory flavor than a basic garlic bread, making it a good match for tomato-based pasta dishes where a bolder side can hold its own against the sauce.

Price: $1.75

This vegetable medley has an Asian flair you can easily pair with braised tofu, LiveGFree's Gluten Free General Tso's Chicken ($7.49), or stir-fried steak. Steam or sauté the carrot, broccoli, baby corn, and sugar snap pea mix.

The bag comes with the vegetables already coated in a light oil and seasoning blend rather than a separate sauce packet, so it steams with flavor already built in. 

Shoppers enjoy the convenience and mild umami flavor for a quick side, and if the seasoning feels light, doctoring it with a little extra soy sauce or sesame oil after steaming can boost the flavor.

Price: $3.29

Elevate almost any meal with this Vitamin C-rich veggie. Asparagus complements chicken, beef, fish, tofu, or pasta. And if you want to make pizza or fried food more nutritious, serve this Season's Choice selection steamed with a pinch of sea salt.

Asparagus is also a good source of folate and vitamin K, and its slightly grassy, earthy flavor makes it a versatile side that doesn't compete with heavier main dishes. 

Because the spears are pre-trimmed and frozen, there's no need to snap off the tough ends the way fresh asparagus requires, which cuts down on prep time. 

Steaming from frozen typically takes just a few minutes, making it an easy way to round out a weeknight dinner without much extra effort.

Price: $3.19

Whether you call them potato puffs or tater tots, these spuds are a savory side. And while they can complement a breakfast scramble or brunch buffet, you can also have the crispy bites with your family's dinner.

You can serve the pint-sized potato pick with hamburgers, hot dogs, a hearty meatloaf, or spicy fried chicken. Score the 32-ounce store-brand bag for just over $3. Target sells the same size pack of Ore-Ida seasoned frozen tots for $5.49.

They can be baked, air-fried, or pan-fried for a crispy exterior, and the larger 32-ounce bag means there's enough to feed a crowd or stretch across multiple meals throughout the week. 

Because they're already fully cooked and frozen, they just need to be reheated until golden and hot, making them one of the faster sides on this list to prepare.

Price: $3.25

Add an egg roll (or a few) to your favorite Asian-inspired main. These crispy chicken and vegetable rolls are ready in minutes. You can microwave, bake, or air-fry the savory side.

Not only is this four-pack a fraction of what you could pay for takeout, but it's also less than many name-brand buys. P.F. Chang's Chicken Egg Rolls retail for $3.99 at Target.

Baking or air-frying tends to deliver a crispier wrapper than the microwave, which can leave the exterior a bit softer. 

At roughly 81 cents per roll, they're a cheaper way to round out a meal than ordering takeout egg rolls, and they pair well with a simple dipping sauce like soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, or duck sauce for an easy appetizer or side.

Make your next family dinner a hit with these savory sides. Whether you're cooking for one, two, three, four, or more, you can score the season's top deals. Don't worry about starting from scratch — these budget-friendly buys are ready to heat and eat.

Aldi makes it easy to shop smarter. Along with affordable frozen sides, you can save money on essentials, desserts, pantry products, and more right now.

Stocking a freezer with a rotation of these sides means dinner can come together quickly on busy weeknights without relying on takeout or a last-minute grocery run. 

Since most of these items are steam-in-bag or oven-ready, they require minimal prep and cleanup, which can make a real difference on nights when time is tight. 

Mixing and matching a few different sides throughout the week also helps keep meals from feeling repetitive, even on a tight grocery budget.