All of my favorite grocery stores (Costco, Aldi, and Target) have one thing in common: Food isn’t the only thing for sale. While it’s part of my job to grocery shop, checking off all of my errands in one stop really is a nice perk.
After picking up a new waffle maker, a birthday gift for an 8-year-old, and shampoo, I made room in my cart for the week’s groceries. At Target, I always check out the Good & Gather items (one of Target’s private labels and a brand that I’ve loved for years). The quality is top-notch for staples like these frozen stir-fry vegetables, frozen appetizers to serve at parties, and other fun foods that spark my culinary creativity.
Here are three new (or new-to-me) dinner finds from Target. Bonus: They’re all less than $5 each.
Credit: Patty Catalano
1. Good & Gather Four Cheese Gnocchi
I’d blame my kids for the fact that we eat pasta and cheese once a week, but the truth is, I love it too. Target’s Good & Gather Four Cheese Gnocchi is everything we love about cheesy pasta — upgraded. Tender pillows of gnocchi and a cheese sauce made from Asiago, mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, and Grana Padano cook in 10 minutes or less. Serve this imported Italian side dish with pan-seared salmon, quick-cooking shrimp, or simple baked chicken thighs.
Buy: Good & Gather Four Cheese Gnocchi, $4.99 for 22 ounces
Credit: Patty Catalano
2. Good & Gather Steam-in-Bag Grain & Roasted Vegetable Blend
This bulgur and roasted vegetable side dish is a lifesaver on nights when I have mere minutes to prep dinner. The bulgur is light and tender with generously sized bites of roasted zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, bell peppers, and onion studded throughout. The dish relies on the flavors of the grain and veggies, so it’s versatile to pair with a variety of proteins. The 12-ounce bag feeds the two adults and two young kids of my family just fine, but if there are bigger appetites at your table, pick up a second bag. At less than $3 a bag, it’s still a great deal!
Buy: Good & Gather Steam-in-Bag Grain & Roasted Vegetable Blend, $2.89 for 12 ounces
Credit: Patty Catalano
3. Good & Gather Signature Tomato, Garlic & Calabrian Chile Spread
A spoonful from this little jar makes even the simplest bowl of pasta taste magical. How they pack so much flavor into this spread is a mystery, but one I’m happy to keep tasting until it’s solved. The basil, garlic, and tomato paste give the spread a familiar Italian vibe, but it’s unlike any other sauce I’ve tried, thanks to the addition of Calabrian chiles. Don’t worry — the sauce isn’t too spicy. The chiles add just the right amount of balanced heat for stirring into pastas and soups, or adding as a spread for sandwiches, spooning over eggs, and seasoning salmon.
Buy: Good & Gather Signature Tomato, Garlic & Calabrian Chile Spread, $4.99 for 6.35 ounces
What are your favorite new dinner staples to buy at Target? Tell us in the comments below!