'Using This One For Years': This Under-$3 Aldi Pasta Sauce Is A Fan Favorite

A delicious pasta sauce has the power to transform a basic dinner into a restaurant-worthy meal. While making your sauce from scratch isn't difficult, a store-bought sauce can certainly make things more convenient and efficient. There are plenty of brands to choose from, but one budget-friendly version from Aldi has become a favorite among shoppers. Simply Nature Organic Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce was the topic of discussion on a Reddit post, where an Aldi fan writes, "I literally have 4 jars in my pantry at all times. It's so good."

A 24-ounce jar of Simply Nature Organic Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce retails for about $2.19 and serves about four people. Flavor-wise, this sauce doesn't stray from what you'd expect from a standard pasta sauce. It's got a very strong basil flavor and subtle sweetness to balance out the savoriness. It contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Fans have expressed their approval over the simple ingredients, noting in the same Reddit post, "I love their clean ingredients list as well and I don't really have to add much more to it and enjoy it."  

Overall, the Aldi find is a good option for shoppers looking for a quick alternative to making sauce from scratch. As another Redditor puts it, "This is the best store bought sauce I've ever had."

Using this pasta sauce is straightforward, but you can also get creative with it. The most simple method of serving the jarred sauce is by simply heating it up in a saucepan and then combining it with your cooked pasta. But, as with any store-bought option, there's always room for improvement. Spruce up the premade sauce by incorporating other ingredients, such as butter, which will add richness and body to the finished product. Try dicing and sautéing some onions and peppers before mixing them in for a veggie-forward option. Or, add fresh basil and garlic to enhance the flavors that are already built into the sauce. You could even add a splash of cream to give it extra richness. Pair any of these options with your favorite pasta and you'll have a delicious meal with little effort.

Of course, pasta isn't the only way to make use of this budget-friendly find. Plenty of commenters in the Reddit thread have incorporated the sauce into other meals. "I love this one. I make a banging noodle beef soup with it as the base," writes one long-time fan. The flavorful soup would also be a perfect base for a luscious tomato soup with the help of ingredients like broth and cream. It could also be used as the base of pizzas, simmered with meatballs, spooned over hot Italian sandwiches or chicken parmesan. No matter how you use it, the budget-friendly find is worth giving a try next time you drop by your local Aldi.