If you’re an avid Aldi shopper, you may know all about German Week, the annual event that celebrates all things German cuisine. After all, Aldi is a Germany-based grocery chain, and is known for bringing European products stateside. During this event, the store stocks several signature German products, such as spaetzle, strudel, and spritz cookies, that you can only pick up once a year.
But perhaps the celebration is getting bigger. While looking at this week’s upcoming Aldi Finds, I thought to myself, “Is it Italian Week?” The budget grocery chain is bringing in more 20 Italian products that are not regularly in stock—and several imported directly from Italy. With products ranging from sweet treats to traditional dinners, this week’s lineup really feels like a highlight of some of the best Italy has to offer.
So while it may not officially be “Italian Week” here (apparently it’s already a thing in Australia and the U.K.), there’s no better time to stock up on these delicious, specialty products. Here are 21 of the Italian items you can expect to find at Aldi now through Oct. 21. Bonus: They’re all less than $8!
Almond or Chocolate Chip Cantuccini
Cantuccini is a smaller version of biscotti, the twice-baked, crispy, nutty cookies that are so delicious alongside a cup of coffee—or espresso, if you’re feeling particularly Italian. This week, Aldi is offering the traditional almond flavor, as well as a fun chocolate chip version. Each bag has 36 little cookies and sells for $2.99. Plus, they’re imported directly from Italy, so you know you’re getting the real deal.
Minestrone and Pasta Fazool Soups
This time of year, Aldi is stocking up on all sorts of delicious soups. And this week, Aldi is bringing in two classic Italian soups: Minestrone and Pasta Fazool. Minestrone is a tomato-based vegetable soup that is often made as a way to use up leftover vegetables. In different regions of Italy, the ingredients vary, but it’s often carrots, celery, onion, potatoes, tomatoes, and a small noodle like ditalini.
Aldi’s Pasta Fazool soup is really pasta e fagioli, another hearty Italian soup that has lots of beans, veggies, and noodles in a tomato broth. The “fazool” is a play on the Italian-American pronunciation of the word fagioli, or beans. Aldi is selling 24-ounce jars of both Minestrone and Pasta Fazool for $3.89.
Cappuccino, Chocolate Hazelnut, or Pistachio Italian Gelato Cups
Gelato, an Italian ice cream, is creamier and more dense than the ice cream we typically enjoy stateside. This week, Aldi is offering three different flavors of gelato as a frozen gelato sundae. The cups are offered in cappuccino, chocolate hazelnut, and pistachio flavors. Each pack has two cups of gelato and sells for $3.99. Pick up a few to have on hand for any future sweet tooth cravings!
Truffle, Pesto, or Cheese and Herbs Tortellini
Tortellini, small stuffed pastas, are cumbersome to make by hand—but so delicious. This Aldi shortcut gives shoppers the best of both worlds! Pre-made, cheese-filled tortellini get cooked and tossed in a tasty truffle, pesto, or cheese and herb sauce for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, or as a side to something like roast chicken or herby pork loin. The 6.5-ounce pasta kits are imported from Italy, and sold for $2.49 each.
Rosemary Garlic or Olive Oil Sea Salt Focaccia
If you haven’t tried focaccia, now is a great time to give it a go. Focaccia is a yeasted, glutenous bread that’s baked in flat sheet pans. Instead of having a high rise like a loaf of sourdough, focaccia is a flatter, more tender bread. It’s perfect for dipping in a Mediterranean dipping oil, or delicious with a thick swipe of butter. Aldi’s heat-and-serve Rosemary Garlic and Olive Oil Sea Salt focaccia is selling for $3.99, and will make the perfect accompaniment to your next spaghetti dinner.
Pumpkin Sage Goat Cheese or Wild Mushroom Goat Cheese Risotto
Risotto isn’t typically thought of as a weeknight dinner. The slow cook and constant stirring makes it more of a long weekend kind of dish. But thanks to these Italian-imported Aldi risottos, bringing a taste of Italy to your table is easier than ever. Available in Pumpkin Sage Goat Cheese or Wild Mushroom Goat Cheese varieties, the 6.5-ounces boxes of risotto sell for $2.49 each.
Bucatini and Paccheri Rigati Noodles
Made with 100 percent Italian Durum Wheat Semolina, bucatini and paccheri rigati are speciality noodle shapes not typically found in the aisles of Aldi. Bucatini—my favorite noodle of all time—is a thick spaghetti-like shape with a hollow center. You get all the slurping goodness of a long noodle like spaghetti or fettuccine, with an extra tasty bite thanks to all the sauce that gets to hide in the hollow hole in the noodle. Aldi is selling a 16-ounce bag of bucatini for $1.89.
Paccheri noodles are large and tubular, and typically served with a thick ragu. “Rigati” means it’s ridged—so more savory sauce can cling to every noodle. Aldi’s paccheri rigati noodles are sold in 17.6-ounce bags for $3.49. These noodles are a fun departure from your typical pasta shapes, and are a great pantry staple. So stock up on a few for your next pasta night.
Beet and Goat Cheese, Pumpkin and Feta, or Mushroom and Truffle Flatbreads
Pizza night just got a whole lot easier! Skip the take out, and pick up these Aldi flatbreads for something a little different. The Mushroom and Truffle as well as the Pumpkin and Feta flatbread are imported from Italy, and the Beet and Goat Cheese version is an added bonus! The Pumpkin and Feta and the Beet and Goat Cheese flatbreads sell for $3.99, while the Mushroom and Truffle flatbread sells for $5.99. Grab one of each and have an autumnal dinner the whole family is sure to enjoy.
Tiramisu and Profiterales
This week, dessert is sorted. Aldi is selling a one-pound tray of tasty tiramisu that one fan called “better than any tiramisu I’ve ever had from a restaurant.” It’s perfect for enjoying with company, or keeping all to yourself. Profiteroles are also on the menu. The vanilla creme-filled cream puffs are typically thought of as a French dessert, but are said to have Italian roots. Both desserts are imported from Italy and sell for $7.59.
You can live “la vita è bella” with these tasty Italian treats. But make sure to visit Aldi now through Oct. 21 to shop these speciality items before they’re gone.
Read the original article on Allrecipes
Dining and Cooking