Aldi Finds November: Delicious Recipes Using This Month’s Hidden Gems

Aldi Finds are the grocery store’s treasure hunt – those limited-time, often seasonal, items that appear in the middle aisles and often disappear just as quickly. November’s Aldi Finds are particularly exciting, offering a range of ingredients perfect for creating comforting and delicious meals. This blog post will explore several recipe ideas using some of the standout Aldi Finds available this month, providing detailed instructions to help you make the most of your Aldi shopping trip.

## Understanding the Aldi Finds Phenomenon

Before we dive into the recipes, let’s quickly understand what Aldi Finds are and why they’re so popular. Aldi Finds, also known as Aldi Special Buys, are limited-time products that Aldi offers on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. These items can range from food and kitchenware to clothing, home goods, and even electronics. The key is that they’re available only while supplies last, creating a sense of urgency and excitement among shoppers. These products are generally of decent to good quality and offer attractive prices, making them a cost-effective alternative to regularly stocked items. This November’s Aldi Finds include many seasonal ingredients and baking necessities that are perfect for creating holiday meals and treats.

## Recipe Ideas Using November Aldi Finds

Here are several recipe ideas utilizing November’s Aldi Finds. We’ll cover appetizers, main courses, side dishes, and even desserts.

### 1. Creamy Butternut Squash and Apple Soup (Appetizer)

Butternut squash is a quintessential fall ingredient, and Aldi often features it prominently among its November Finds. Paired with apples, it creates a sweet and savory soup that’s perfect for a chilly evening.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 medium butternut squash (Aldi Find), peeled, seeded, and cubed
* 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Gala varieties work well), peeled, cored, and chopped
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 4 cups vegetable broth (Aldi Find: Simply Nature Organic Vegetable Broth)
* 1/2 cup heavy cream (Aldi Find: Friendly Farms Heavy Cream)
* 2 tablespoons olive oil (Aldi Find: Specially Selected Olive Oil)
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Optional garnish: Toasted pumpkin seeds (Aldi Find), a swirl of cream, or a sprinkle of chopped chives.

**Instructions:**

1. **Sauté the Aromatics:** In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. **Add Squash and Apples:** Add the cubed butternut squash and chopped apples to the pot. Stir to combine with the onion and garlic.
3. **Add Broth and Spices:** Pour in the vegetable broth and add the dried thyme and ground nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. **Simmer:** Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the butternut squash is tender.
5. **Blend:** Carefully transfer the soup to a blender (or use an immersion blender) and blend until smooth and creamy. Be careful when blending hot liquids; start on low speed and vent the blender lid slightly to prevent pressure buildup.
6. **Stir in Cream:** Return the soup to the pot and stir in the heavy cream. Heat gently until warmed through, but do not boil.
7. **Adjust Seasoning:** Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
8. **Serve:** Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds, a swirl of cream, or chopped chives, if desired. Serve warm.

### 2. Cranberry Brie Bites (Appetizer)

These festive appetizers are perfect for holiday gatherings. Aldi’s cranberry sauce (a common November Find) and brie cheese come together to create a sweet and savory treat.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 sheet puff pastry (Aldi Find: Bake House Creations Puff Pastry), thawed
* 4 ounces brie cheese (Aldi Find: Emporium Selection Brie Cheese), cut into small cubes
* 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (Aldi Find: Benton’s Cranberry Sauce)
* 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (Aldi Find)
* 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

**Instructions:**

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. **Prepare Puff Pastry:** Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut the pastry into small squares (about 2×2 inches).
3. **Assemble Bites:** Place the puff pastry squares on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Top each square with a cube of brie cheese, a spoonful of cranberry sauce, and a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts.
4. **Egg Wash:** Brush the edges of the puff pastry with the beaten egg.
5. **Bake:** Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and the brie cheese is melted and slightly gooey.
6. **Cool and Serve:** Let the bites cool slightly before serving. They are best served warm.

### 3. Maple-Glazed Pork Tenderloin (Main Course)

Pork tenderloin is a lean and flavorful cut of meat that’s easy to prepare. The maple glaze, featuring Aldi’s maple syrup (often a seasonal find), adds a touch of sweetness and warmth.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pork tenderloin (about 1-1.5 pounds) (Aldi Find)
* 1/4 cup maple syrup (Aldi Find: Simply Nature Organic Maple Syrup)
* 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
* 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1 tablespoon olive oil (Aldi Find: Specially Selected Olive Oil)

**Instructions:**

1. **Prepare the Glaze:** In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. **Sear the Pork:** Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the pork tenderloin with salt and pepper. Sear the pork on all sides until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side. This creates a nice crust and seals in the juices.
3. **Bake:** Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Brush the pork tenderloin with half of the maple glaze. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure accuracy.
4. **Rest and Glaze:** Remove the pork tenderloin from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Brush with the remaining maple glaze before serving.
5. **Serve:** Slice the pork tenderloin into medallions and serve with your favorite side dishes (see suggestions below).

### 4. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze (Side Dish)

Brussels sprouts are a classic side dish that pairs well with many main courses. Roasting them brings out their sweetness, and the balsamic glaze adds a tangy finish. Aldi often features fresh Brussels sprouts and balsamic vinegar among its November Finds.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound Brussels sprouts (Aldi Find), trimmed and halved
* 2 tablespoons olive oil (Aldi Find: Specially Selected Olive Oil)
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1/4 cup balsamic glaze (Aldi Find: Specially Selected Balsamic Glaze)

**Instructions:**

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. **Prepare Brussels Sprouts:** In a large bowl, toss the halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. **Roast:** Spread the Brussels sprouts in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender and slightly browned.
4. **Glaze:** Remove the Brussels sprouts from the oven and drizzle with balsamic glaze. Toss to coat evenly.
5. **Serve:** Serve immediately.

### 5. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crumble (Side Dish)

This sweet potato casserole is a classic holiday side dish with a crunchy pecan topping. Aldi’s sweet potatoes and pecans are often available as November Finds.

**Ingredients:**

* 3 medium sweet potatoes (Aldi Find), peeled and cubed
* 1/2 cup milk (Aldi Find: Friendly Farms Milk)
* 1/4 cup butter, melted (Aldi Find: Countryside Creamery Butter)
* 1/4 cup brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* Salt to taste

**For the Pecan Crumble Topping:**

* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup brown sugar
* 1/4 cup butter, cold and cubed (Aldi Find: Countryside Creamery Butter)
* 1/2 cup chopped pecans (Aldi Find)

**Instructions:**

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. **Cook Sweet Potatoes:** Boil the cubed sweet potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well.
3. **Mash Sweet Potatoes:** In a large bowl, mash the cooked sweet potatoes until smooth. Add the milk, melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until well combined.
4. **Prepare Pecan Crumble Topping:** In a separate bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cold cubed butter. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped pecans.
5. **Assemble Casserole:** Pour the sweet potato mixture into a greased 8×8 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the pecan crumble topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture.
6. **Bake:** Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
7. **Serve:** Let the casserole cool slightly before serving.

### 6. Apple Crisp (Dessert)

This classic dessert is easy to make and perfect for using up Aldi’s seasonal apples. The warm spices and crunchy topping make it a comforting treat.

**Ingredients:**

* 6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup rolled oats
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/2 cup butter, cold and cubed (Aldi Find: Countryside Creamery Butter)

**Instructions:**

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. **Prepare Apples:** In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with a tablespoon of flour (from the 1/2 cup) to prevent them from becoming too watery during baking. Place the apples in a greased 8×8 inch baking dish.
3. **Prepare Crumble Topping:** In a separate bowl, combine the remaining flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. **Assemble Crisp:** Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
5. **Bake:** Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
6. **Serve:** Let the crisp cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (Aldi Find: Sundae Shoppe Ice Cream), if desired.

### 7. Pumpkin Pie (Dessert)

No November recipe roundup is complete without pumpkin pie. Aldi frequently offers pumpkin puree and pie crusts as part of their November Finds.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree (Aldi Find: Baker’s Corner Pumpkin Pie Filling)
* 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (Aldi Find: Baker’s Corner Sweetened Condensed Milk)
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 unbaked pie crust (Aldi Find: Bake House Creations Pie Crusts)

**Instructions:**

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. **Prepare Filling:** In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt until smooth.
3. **Pour into Crust:** Pour the pumpkin filling into the unbaked pie crust.
4. **Bake:** Bake for 15 minutes at 425°F (220°C). Then, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 40-45 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
5. **Cool:** Let the pie cool completely before serving. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before slicing.
6. **Serve:** Serve cold with whipped cream (Aldi Find: Friendly Farms Whipped Cream), if desired.

## Tips for Navigating Aldi Finds

* **Shop Early:** Aldi Finds are available while supplies last, so it’s best to shop early in the week when new items are released. This will increase your chances of finding the items you’re looking for.
* **Check the Weekly Ad:** Aldi releases a weekly ad that highlights the upcoming Aldi Finds. This is a great way to plan your shopping trip and identify items you want to purchase.
* **Be Open to Substitution:** Sometimes, a specific Aldi Find might be sold out. Be prepared to substitute with a similar item or a regular item that Aldi carries.
* **Don’t Hesitate:** If you see something you like, don’t hesitate to buy it. Aldi Finds often sell out quickly, and you might not have another chance to get it.
* **Join Online Communities:** There are many online communities and social media groups dedicated to Aldi fans. These groups can be a great resource for finding out about new Aldi Finds and getting recipe ideas.

## Making the Most of Your Aldi Shopping Trip

Aldi Finds are a fantastic way to discover new and exciting ingredients and products. By planning your shopping trip and utilizing these recipe ideas, you can create delicious and affordable meals using November’s hidden gems. Remember to check the weekly ad, shop early, and be open to substitution. Happy cooking and happy shopping!

## Expanding Your Aldi Adventures

Beyond the specific recipes outlined above, remember that Aldi’s regular offerings can also complement your Aldi Finds cooking adventures. Stock up on pantry staples like flour, sugar, spices, and oils to ensure you have everything you need to create your culinary masterpieces. Don’t forget to explore Aldi’s produce section for fresh fruits and vegetables that can be incorporated into your meals.

By combining Aldi Finds with Aldi’s everyday low prices, you can create delicious and budget-friendly meals throughout November and beyond. Happy cooking!

## Experimenting with Flavors and Ingredients

The recipes provided are a starting point, feel free to experiment and customize them to your liking. Add different spices, try different types of apples or nuts, or substitute ingredients based on your preferences and what’s available at your local Aldi store. Cooking should be a fun and creative process, so don’t be afraid to try new things and discover your own unique flavor combinations. For example, adding a dash of cayenne pepper to the butternut squash soup can give it a spicy kick, or using walnuts instead of pecans in the sweet potato casserole can change the flavor profile.

## Sharing Your Aldi Finds Creations

Once you’ve created your delicious Aldi Finds meals, be sure to share them with your friends and family. You can also share your creations online by posting photos and recipes on social media or your own blog. Use hashtags like #AldiFinds, #AldiRecipes, and #AldiHaul to connect with other Aldi enthusiasts and inspire them to try your recipes. Sharing your culinary creations is a great way to connect with others and celebrate the joy of cooking.