Kitchn and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
Credit: Shutterstock
Despite always having a craving for risotto, I somehow never have arborio rice in the house when I need it. I either completely forget to grab it, or the store I’m shopping at doesn’t even carry it (ahem, Trader Joe’s and Misfits Market — please help a girl out!).
Luckily I’ve found a worthy solution that makes all my risotto-filled dinner dreams come true: Aldi’s Signature Select Black Pepper Goat Cheese Risotto.
Credit: Mackenzie Filson
What’s So Great About Signature Select Black Pepper Goat Cheese Risotto?
If you’ve ever made risotto from scratch, you know it requires a good amount of babysitting Simply put, risotto is persnickety (and always hungry for more white wine, cheese, broth … not unlike Audrey 2 from Little Shop of Horrors). Aldi’s pre-packaged risotto basically strips away the need for a separate grocery stop, an extra pot of boiling broth for ladling, and at least 40 minutes of my sweet precious time — and it does all of this while tasting scarily close to a freshly made pan of cheesy, herby risotto.
I audibly said, “Ooh, herby,” when I poured the rice and seasoning packets into a pot of boiling water and saw a confetti burst of chives. As it got to simmering, the tang of goat cheese smelled as if it was freshly crumbled off a log. All in all, the resulting bowl of herbaceous, cheesy, cacio e pepe-inspired risotto felt equal parts boxed-mac-and-cheese coziness and ease, while being also very worthy of serving to friends. (I’d say one box is an entrée for one, and a side dish for two.)
Credit: Mackenzie Filson
What’s the Best Way to Enjoy Signature Select Black Pepper Goat Cheese Risotto?
I was fully anticipating that the risotto would need a little embellishment (the box suggests adding butter or cheese to your taste), but I found the salt and pungency of the goat cheese and the spicy prickle from the cracked black pepper to be more than enough on its own. That being said, I think the sky’s the limit for what you can add to it to fill out your meal: Canned chickpeas or frozen green peas would be so at home here. I will absolutely NOT forget to grab a few more boxes of this during my next grocery run.
Find it in stores: Signature Select Black Pepper Goat Cheese Risotto, $2.69 for 6.5 ounces at Aldi
What Aldi pantry staples are you stocking up on right now? Tell us about it in the comments below.
The Weekly Checkout
Sign up for The Weekly Checkout to get the most up-to-date grocery news, tips, and highlights.
Subscribe to The Kitchn!
Dining and Cooking