12 Fancy Foods You Can Buy At The Dollar Tree
Lavish meals don't have to equate to Michelin-level establishments. In fact, there are countless foods that you should probably not order at a fancy restaurant, whether due to the jaw-dropping bill at the end of your meal or sanitary precautions. Skip the hassle and take a look at the Dollar Tree's many affordable options instead.
A bag of chips and a box of hard candies isn't all that's sold for just a little over a dollar now. Your local Dollar Tree may carry an array of cuisines that can provide you with a filling dinner. With choices like smoked mussels and pho broth, these convenient foods can still pack both a luxurious taste and aesthetic look without breaking the bank. Nor will it take too much brain power, as simply following the instructions on the box can leave you with a quick and easy dish that can be spiced up with a few additional steps to give your food an extra gourmet feel.
Smoked Mussels
Humans in North America have been cultivating mussels as early as 8,000 B.C. Its shells were used to create utensils, jewelry, and other modern tools. And just as it is today, it was used as a food source. A nutritious one, at that, as it's high in vitamins B and C, including important minerals like potassium and iron.
Though mussels are already rather accessible and less expensive compared to other shellfish-like clams, nothing beats getting your seafood-loving flippers on an even more budget-friendly option like the one offered at Dollar Tree. Polar's ready-to-eat Smoked Mussels come in its whole form and are hand-packed in oil. With all the ingredients, you get a healthy 20 grams of protein and a wood-smoked flavor that lends well to the versatility of the mollusk. You can use it in a variety of dishes influenced by regions around the world, from Belgium moules-frites to New England clam chowder, or make a fancy dinner for two by combining mussels with cream, chorizo, garlic, and flat leaf parsley into a beautiful dish.
Pasta with White Chicken, Peas & Carrots
For some, the quote "Mom's kitchen is seasoned with love" can be found in people's homes, referring to the care and effort that goes into a parent's cooking. The saying points to a similar message shared by Michelina's, a frozen food manufacturer selling products such as Swedish Meatballs and Tuscan-Inspired Garlic Chicken. The brand is named after Mama Michelina, an Italian immigrant who brought her recipes and passion for cooking to America. Now, people can get a taste of a mother's cooking by taking a trip to their local Dollar Tree.
Customers may stumble upon a couple of Michelina's prepackaged options throughout the frozen aisle. One of these is the Pasta with White Chicken, Peas & Carrots. You can cook it straight in the container by popping it in the microwave for three to four minutes. From there, enjoy the tender protein and nutritious vegetables, all on a bed of pasta covered in a delicious sauce made with romano and parmesan cheeses.
Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese
With its warm, gooey texture and sharp flavor, mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. But when the homemade version isn't readily available and you need a quick fix, you can stock up with a low-cost instant version carried by the Dollar Tree. Premier Pantry's Original Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese comes with everything you need, yielding a generous three servings. Make it as is to enjoy its cheddary goodness all on its own, or add your own ingredients to elevate the dish.
Upgrade this boxed pasta and make it more nutritionally well-rounded by throwing in some appealing elements. You can't go wrong with items like broccoli, shredded chicken, bacon, tomatoes, and sausages, which will pair well with your cheesy noodles. Use this baked mac and cheese casserole recipe for ideas of what you can incorporate, including thyme, bread crumbs, and garlic. You can even load up on different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack or parmesan, allowing it to meld together with the sharp cheddar to create an extra strong flavor.
Salisbury Steak Meal
The Dollar Tree offers an aisle fully stocked with frozen meals, and what TV dinner lineup is complete without the brand Banquet Foods? The company has been around since 1953, its casual dinner products officially making its way onto shelves in 1954. Since then, it has launched a series of ready-made meals and snacks, including pot pies, sausage links, chickens, and pastas. More recent products have reflected Banquet's goal of utilizing wholesome ingredients as well as more protein and substantial portions.
But among the store's pre-made entrees, Banquet's Salisbury Steak Meal stands out as the gravy-smothered meat has become a longstanding favorite. The box includes not only a steak patty made with chicken, pork, and beef, drenched in a generous portion of sauce, but even a side of macaroni created with real cheese. The best part is you can dig into this full meal after just two-and-a-half minutes in the microwave.
Pork & Vegetable Dumplings
Food trends circulate like wildfire on TikTok, and one that won't seem to die down is eating dumplings straight from the tray. Thousands of videos on the app show short clips of people biting into these savory, soup and meat-filled balls of dough, drenched in soy sauce, chilis, and garlic. A particularly popular brand that content creators seem to pick up (and rack up hundreds of thousands of views) is Bibigo, a food company inspired by Korean culinary traditions.
Bibigo's Pork & Vegetable Steamed Dumplings, in particular, was named one of Food & Beverage Magazine's favorite products of 2023. Hop on the internet and social media bandwagon and experience Korean flavor with another one of Bibigo's well-loved variations: Mandu Pork & Vegetable Dumplings. The package comes with extra large, juice-filled dumplings made with cabbage, onions, garlic, and other extra tasty ingredients. Eat it on its own, or add it to this spruced up instant ramen recipe.
Salmon Fillets
No need to make your way to a waterfront restaurant when the Dollar Tree practically brings the ocean to you with its numerous seafood options. Aside from the aforementioned smoked mussels, the next coastal cuisine you can find is Sea Best Salmon Fillets. Wild-caught and naturally low in fat, these individually vacuum-packed fish are high in protein and omega-3's, providing you with a nutritious base to your lunch or dinner.
Prepare these fillets by either baking, broiling, or grilling it to bring out its sapid flavor and tender texture. Pair it with some nourishing sides like a rice pilaf or rosemary potatoes for a more fulfilling spread. For more specific ideas on how to use this versatile product, try one of these 20 spectacular salmon recipes this summer, such as whipping up a creamy fish chowder with bacon, corn, and spinach or getting creative with a fennel crusted cedar plank salmon.
Crispy Battered Fish Fillets
In America alone, McDonald's serves about 300 million fish sandwiches a year, making the renowned fast food chain's Filet-O-Fish sandwich a beloved selection on the menu. But one patty combined with American cheese and tartar sauce between two steamed buns can be pretty pricey at this iconic restaurant.
For more bang for your buck, pick up Gorton's Crispy Battered Fish Fillets at your Dollar Tree. You can easily create your own version of McDonald's Filet-O-Fish using this product. While you're at it, make half a dozen, as one box contains six pieces. Gorton's fillets are made of 100% wild-caught pollock and are packed with natural omega-3's. It's been dipped in a freshly mixed batter to create a delectable taste, and makes a delicious base to your sandwich. Alternatively, instead of a sandwich, the package suggests eating the fish with salad and snow peas on the side.
Hamburger Helper Ranch & Bacon
Something about home-cooked meals brings extra comfort and conversation to the table. But from grocery store runs and prepping ingredients to cooking and washing the dishes, you can find hours of your day have gone to making a dish that will be eaten within just minutes. Fortunately, there are food items that can save some time while still giving you the room to add your own touch and effort.
Hamburger Helper, for instance, lives up to its name, aiding people in the kitchen with its easy-to-make pasta. The Dollar Tree carries several options, one of it being its Ranch & Bacon Sauce Mix. All you need to add is a pound of your choice of protein — ground beef or cubed chicken make tasty additions. Mixed with hot water, milk, and mayonnaise, the provided sauce does the rest to coat your pasta shells in a creamy bacon ranch dressing — all in one pot for a little over a dollar.
Pho Broth
You don't need to go to a Vietnamese restaurant to experience this steamy dish. Make pho right at home with Millie's Delight Phở Sipping Broth. It's a savory mix of onions, basil, lime, and spice, all while being keto-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free. A packet that costs slightly over one dollar will make a cup of this broth, whereas a bowl of pho ordered at a restaurant can range between $10.00 to $20.00. For less money, you can create your own bowl from the comfort of your kitchen.
After mixing the packet's contents with boiling water, you can sip on the finished broth on its own as a nourishing soup. To make it more substantial, you can use it as the base for this easy chicken pho. Incorporating the fundamental pho ingredients like thin rice noodles, bean sprouts, fresh herbs, and sauces like sriracha or hoisin will leave you a comforting, savory meal.
Cracked Pepper & Sea Salt Wild Caught Tuna
Sea salt and cracked black pepper are the iconic duo used to transform a range of foods. The simple pairing of just these two seasonings alone make all the difference in how ingredients as basic as crackers, bread, and chips taste. The heat emanating from the peppercorns in combination with the tang of the sea salt packs an addicting, potent punch. Added to more substantial food items like Brussels sprouts or stuffed peppers, and you're in for a saporous ride.
To experience it for yourself, try out Dollar Tree's offering of Bumble Bee Cracked Pepper & Sea Salt Wild Caught Tuna. Because you can eat the tuna straight from the pouch, this high-protein, gluten-free product is perfect to take on-the-go. Take it to school, work, or on a hike without worry. It's also easy to add this tuna into a variety of recipes, including casseroles, sandwiches, and pastas. These 18 ways to turn canned tuna into a gourmet meal also works just as well with tuna from a pouch.
Stuffing Mix
A turkey without stuffing might feel just as incomplete to some families as Thanksgiving without the turkey itself would be. A mixture of foods like grain, veggies, seafood, and poultry, classic stuffing has ties to Ancient Rome as early as the first century. It has remained on the holiday menu since then, with its hearty, filling characteristics earning it a spot next to other mainstays like mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.
Luckily, Thanksgiving dinner just got a whole lot less stressful, costly, and time-consuming with the Dollar Tree's offering of McTrader Stuffing Mix. Stir it in with some water and butter, and within five minutes you're all set to serve. For any leftovers, the box provides a stuffed mushroom recipe. But stuffing can be used in a variety of other ways, whether used as a standalone side dish or incorporated into meals with pork chops, salads, empanadas, and more.
Double Caramel Ice Cream
What better way to end off an extravagant meal than with some crowd-favorite dessert like ice cream? Sure, you have your tiramisus and tarts, but the cold dairy treat isn't a staple for nothing. One of the reasons is how accessible it is. Ice cream can be found at many food markets, right down to your local Dollar Tree. And you can get a combination of chocolate and vanilla, two of the most popular flavors, and still keep things lush with the Dollar Tree's provision of Magnum Double Caramel Ice Cream.
It doesn't just taste rich, it looks rich, too. One container will give you three Belgian chocolate bars, contained in a golden-brown box stamped with Magnum's classy logo. This expensive-looking packaging is a true reflection of the brand's decadent flavor, coming from the ice cream being composed of 44% cacao. It might just seem like vanilla ice cream dipped in layers of chocolate coating and caramel sauce, but really, it's premium ice cream made specially for adults to enjoy.