This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ALDI.

Thanksgiving is one of my FAVORITE holidays. Why? Because of the family and friends and FOOD time. A few years ago, we started hosting Thanksgiving at our house and I was put in charge of Thanksgiving dinner and all the food. It’s a big job, but I actually LOVE to cook and so I look forward to it every year. I love planning the menu, I love figuring out what recipes I’m going to incorporate, and honestly, I love being able to bless my family with something like making a big meal!

My sister does all the desserts (duh! Because she’s the best…), but I do all the food. Turkey, sides, bread, etc.  But, if you’ve ever planned and cooked a whole Thanksgiving meal, you know it is a lot of work and (depending on how many people you’re cooking for), it can really add up and be a costly meal.

A few years ago, I discovered ALDI and it has quickly become one of my FAVORITE grocery stores to shop. Seriously. I am ALDI obsessed. I love that it’s simple, it’s small (usually less than 10,000 square feet of shopping space!), I can get in and out easily, they carry a lot of great ALDI exclusive brands that are EXACTLY THE SAME as the national competitor brands (but WAY more affordable), and I also love that they have SO many healthy, organic, gmo-free, and natural food options for a great price as well.

They’re able to keep prices so low because they cut out a lot of the unnecessary overhead expenses in staffing, shelf displays, and other extraneous services like pharmacy or on-site banking.

Over the past couple of years I’ve done a large majority of my Thanksgiving-dinner-shopping at ALDI and I’ve been able to save a TON of money that way, while also getting delicious ingredients for my meals!

I thought I’d share one of my all-time favorite side dish recipes that is perfect for Thanksgiving: Bacon lovers LOADED mashed potatoes. I realize this isn’t the healthiest of recipes… but hey… it’s the holidays! C’est la vie!

I also thought I’d show you guys some comparisons between the ALDI brands and national brands – they are EXACTLY the same (especially in taste… sometimes the ALDI brand is even better…), but they are way more affordable at ALDI!

First up? Bacon! Mmmmmmm…. bacon…..

ALDI “Never Any!” Appleton Farms Bacon (12 oz.) – $4.49 vs. Applegate Naturals Bacon – $5.49 (8 oz.)

Is there a scent or a sound better than that of cooking bacon? I think not.

Boiling those potatoes and getting them ready for mashing!

And the whipped cream cheese is SO good and SO much more affordable than the name brand!

ALDI Happy Farms Whipped Cream Cheese Spread – $1.49 vs. Philadelphia Whipped Cream Cheese Spread – $3.99

Now, technically the crescent rolls weren’t part of my recipe… but Thanksgiving dinner isn’t the same without some ooey gooey buttery crescent rolls. Am I right?

ALDI Crescent Rolls – $0.99 vs. Pillsbury Crescent Rolls – $2.07

Here’s what you’re going to end up with… DELICIOUS bacon lovers loaded mashed potatoes. Mmmm… my mouth is watering!

Here’s the recipe:

Print

Bacon Lovers Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Course Side Dish

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Author Molly Stillman

Ingredients

• 1 lb uncured bacon I used 1lb Appleton Farms Never Any! Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon
• 2 lbs of golden potatoes
• 1 cup of plain greek yogurt I used Friendly Farms Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt
• 1/2 cup of whipped cream cheese I used Happy Farms Whipped Cream Cheese Spread
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese I used Happy Farms Sharp Cheddar Shredded Cheese
• 1/2 cup of milk I used ALDI Friendly Farm's skim milk
• 1 packet of ranch seasoning I used Stonemill Essentials Ranch Salad Dressing Mix
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• You could also add chives but I don't like chives so I omitted them

Instructions

1. Cook bacon
2. In a large pot, bring water to boil, then boil potatoes in water for approx. 15 minutes, or until fork tender
3. Drain the potatoes and place in a large bowl
4. Mash potatoes using a Potato Masher
5. Chop crispy bacon and set aside
6. In a separate bowl, combine greek yogurt, whipped cream cheese, ranch packet, salt & pepper, and garlic, stir well, then transfer into large bowl containing mashed potatoes
7. Add in a little milk at a time to reach desired consistency in the potatoes.
8. Stir in chopped bacon and shredded sharp cheddar
9. Mix ingredients thoroughly and ENJOY!

What about you? What’s your favorite side dish to make on Thanksgiving? Have you ever shopped at ALDI before? If you have, you too, know how awesome it is.

I also have an awesome giveaway courtesy of ALDI for you…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ALDI.