Key Takeaways
ALDI’s returning Specially Selected Smoked Mozzarella Ravioli is a budget-friendly freezer staple that cooks in minutes and offers a more flavorful option than typical quick dinners.
The smoky mozzarella-and-ricotta filling has made this ravioli a shopper favorite, though anyone who prefers milder cheese flavors may find it a bit strong.
It works well with simple sauces like marinara, brown butter, or pesto, and it can also be baked casserole-style or crisped up for an easy appetizer.
When I’m in the midst of a busy week (which is more often than not), simply deciding what to make for dinner feels like too much work. Even if I have every intention of preparing something simple and balanced, I can suddenly abandon the plan the second I think about all the dishes and cleanup involved. That’s why having a go-to freezer meal isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity. And I’m not just talking about frozen pizza and chicken nuggets. I mean options that can be ready in minutes but still feel a little more elevated.
ALDI’s Specially Selected Smoked Mozzarella Ravioli, which returned to stores nationwide last week, fits the bill perfectly. Unlike your standard cheese ravioli, it has a smoky, cheesy filling that pairs well with all kinds of sauces and whatever vegetables happen to be hanging out in your fridge. Available in a 14-ounce bag for around $2.99, this ravioli is filled with mozzarella and ricotta, and flavored with black pepper and parsley. The final product boasts a smoky flavor that makes it a little more interesting than the usual cheese-filled pasta. It also takes just 4 to 6 minutes to cook from frozen, which means you can have dinner ready in less time than it takes to scroll through a delivery app trying to decide what you actually want.
ALDI has plenty of options for making weeknight dinners easier, but every once in a while, a product comes along that shoppers seem particularly reluctant to let go of. This ravioli is clearly one of them. In one Reddit thread, a shopper exclaimed, “the frozen smoked mozzarella ravioli are so dang good” after trying it. Another said they wished they had “hoarded several bags for my freezer,” adding that it was the best ravioli they’d ever had. I don’t know about you, but when people start talking about hoarding frozen pasta, I’m inclined to pay attention. If you’ve been meaning to try this one, I wouldn’t wait too long to track it down.
Of course, part of the appeal here is that smoky cheese filling, which gives the ravioli a little something extra without requiring you to do anything special in the kitchen. That said, the smokiness is pretty distinctive, and it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. One shopper found the smoky notes a bit overwhelming after a few bites, so consider yourself warned if you tend to prefer a more subtle cheese flavor. Personally, I keep things simple when it comes to the sauce and toppings. The filling already brings plenty to the table, so there’s no need to overthink it.
If you’re a marinara-and-Parmesan person, that’s an easy place to start. The tomato sauce balances out the smoky filling, and a generous dusting of Parmesan is never a bad idea. For something a little different, try tossing the ravioli in brown butter with fresh sage and black pepper. Pesto works, too, particularly if you have some cherry tomatoes or fresh basil to use up. And on the nights when a bowl of pasta doesn’t quite feel like enough, you can layer the ravioli with marinara and shredded mozzarella in a baking dish, and bake until everything is hot and bubbly. It’s a little like lasagna, minus the time spent layering noodles and wondering whether you’ve made enough to feed an army.
You can also skip the sauce-and-bowl routine altogether and turn the ravioli into a crispy appetizer. Coat the cooked pasta in breadcrumbs, then fry or air-fry until golden and crunchy, and serve with marinara for dipping. It’s the sort of thing I’d happily put out for guests, although I can also see myself making a batch just to snack on while dinner is cooking. Add a salad or some garlic bread, and you’ve got a meal that feels a bit more fun and elevated than your average weeknight pasta.
That’s really what I want from a freezer find: something that makes dinner feel effortless without feeling like I’ve settled for something just for the sake of it. This ravioli seems to check both boxes, and the shopper reviews certainly make a compelling case for giving it a try. If you spot ALDI’s Specially Selected Smoked Mozzarella Ravioli on your next shopping trip, grabbing an extra bag might not be a bad idea. Future you, standing in front of the fridge at 6 p.m. with absolutely no dinner plans, will probably appreciate it.
Read the original article on Real Simple
Dining and Cooking