I'm a mom and food scientist who shops for 5. Here are 8 delicious items I love buying at Aldi.

Cottage cheese is really having its moment, and I'm so here for it. I love adding a scoop to eggs for an extra protein boost, and making cottage-cheese cookie dough as a sweet treat.

My toddler loves the Simply Nature organic fruit-flavored gummies from Aldi — and so does the rest of our family.

They have a wonderful texture and berry flavor. Plus, they're in the shape of cute woodland animals.

I love grabbing a pack or two of cilantro when I shop at Aldi. I use it as a garnish for curries, an addition to salads, and a key ingredient in marinades and sauces.

I also like that it's packed nicely in a bag, so the cilantro doesn't wilt or decay as quickly.

Aldi's Fresh Express pesto-Caesar-salad kit makes a great side for pizza night. My favorite "hack" is to place the salad directly on top of a slice of pizza — I've found that it instantly makes the slice more filling.

This salad kit also works as an easy lunch topped with chicken.

My family can't get enough of Rao's homemade marinara sauce. In fact, it's a staple in our pantry. I've used it on pizza, as an ingredient in lasagna soup, and even as a dip for air-fried eggplant bites.

I always like to pick up a container of spinach-Parmesan tzatziki when I'm at Aldi. Made with Greek yogurt, this delicious dip pairs well with crackers. It can also make a great spread for bagels.

If you love Smartfood's white-cheddar popcorn, you'll enjoy the Clancy's version from Aldi.

As someone who has worked extensively on popcorn as a food scientist, I highly recommend this product. The popcorn pieces are large and have a perfect crunch.

I love making my toddler's eggs with Countryside Creamery pure Irish butter because it makes them delightfully buttery and fluffy in texture, and compliments the flavor of the eggs. This butter is rich and smooth and easily elevates any recipe.