Smart Aisle Menu
Cheap Aldi dinner

Shrimp & Grits

SeafoodSouthern

Cheesy grits under shrimp with garlic, lemon, and a little cayenne — a Southern classic that costs about $2.47 a serving because quick grits and frozen shrimp are both cheap. The grits take five minutes and get cheddar stirred in at the end; the shrimp take four. That puts the whole dish at half an hour, most of it stirring. It suits anyone who wants a restaurant-feeling plate on a weeknight, and the cayenne level is entirely up to you. Aldi's frozen shrimp bag is the affordable route — thaw it in cold water while the water for the grits comes to a boil.

Total time

30 min

Serves

4

Total cost

$9.88

Per serving

$2.47

Ingredients

Estimated Aldi prices for the amount this dinner uses, based on regular shelf prices and the current weekly ad.

Fremont Fish Market Frozen Shrimp12 oz$5.99
Southern Grove Quick Grits1 cup dry$1.29
Happy Farms Shredded Cheddar1 cup$1.25
Garlic4 cloves$0.36
Lemons1$0.50
Stonemill Cayenne Pepper1/4 tsp$0.49
Estimated total · serves 4$9.88

Steps

  1. 1Bring 4 cups water and a pinch of salt to a boil; whisk in the grits, reduce heat, and cook 5 minutes, stirring, until thick.
  2. 2Stir in the cheddar until melted; cover and keep warm.
  3. 3Thaw and pat dry the shrimp; season with salt, pepper, and cayenne.
  4. 4Sauté the garlic in 2 tbsp butter over medium-high heat 1 minute; add the shrimp and cook 2 minutes per side until pink.
  5. 5Squeeze the lemon over the shrimp and toss.
  6. 6Spoon the grits into bowls and top with the shrimp and pan juices; serve immediately.

Tips & swaps

  • Polenta works if grits are not in stock, though it takes longer to cook.
  • A slice of bacon crumbled into the pan adds smokiness.
  • A spoonful of butter whisked into the grits at the end makes them noticeably richer.
  • Leftover grits firm up overnight — slice and pan-fry them the next morning.

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Put Shrimp & Grits into your week

Add it to a plan built around this week's Aldi deals, or browse all 50 cheap dinner ideas and pick the rest of the week yourself.

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