Both Aldi cheese melt and Velveeta are types of processed cheese product. While they share some similarities, there are also some key differences between the two brands.
What is Aldi cheese melt?
Aldi cheese melt is Aldi’s store brand version of a processed cheese product. It comes in a few varieties including original, bacon, and jalapeno. Aldi cheese melt has a creamy, smooth texture and melts well when cooked.
Here are some key details about Aldi cheese melt:
- Made by Aldi under its Happy Farms brand
- Contains cheese cultures and emulsifying agents
- Comes in 8 oz and 16 oz blocks
- Usually priced between $1.50 – $3.00 per package
- Available in original, bacon, and jalapeno flavors
- Has a smooth, creamy texture when melted
- Melts smoothly when cooked
What is Velveeta?
Velveeta is a brand name processed cheese product made by Kraft Heinz. It has been around since the 1920s. Like Aldi cheese melt, Velveeta has a smooth, creamy texture when melted.
Here are some details about Velveeta:
- Made by Kraft Heinz
- Contains milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, whey protein concentrate, and soybean oil
- Comes in 8 oz, 16 oz, and 32 oz packages
- Usually priced between $3 – $7 per package
- Available in original, low-fat, and other flavor varieties
- Has a smooth, creamy texture when melted
- Melts smoothly when cooked
Nutrition Comparison
When comparing the nutrition facts between Aldi cheese melt and Velveeta, there are some similarities and differences:
| Nutrition Facts | Aldi Cheese Melt (2 oz) | Velveeta (2 oz) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 180 | 140 |
| Total Fat | 15g | 9g |
| Sodium | 480mg | 470mg |
| Protein | 8g | 6g |
As you can see, Aldi cheese melt is higher in calories and fat compared to Velveeta. However, they are fairly similar in sodium content. Velveeta contains slightly less protein. The differences in fat and calories are likely due to differences in the formulations between the name brand Velveeta and the Aldi store brand cheese melt.
Ingredients Comparison
Looking at the ingredients list is another way to compare these two products:
Aldi Cheese Melt Ingredients:
- Cheese Cultures
- Milk
- Butter
- Whey
- Salt
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sorbic Acid
- Color Added
Velveeta Original Ingredients:
- Milk
- Whey
- Milk Protein Concentrate
- Milkfat
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- Sodium Phosphate
- Salt
- Sodium Alginate
- Sorbic Acid
- Cheese Culture
- Annatto and Paprika Extract
- Vitamin A Palmitate
The ingredient lists are quite similar, with the main ingredients being milk, whey, and milk byproducts. However, Velveeta contains a few more preservatives and additives like sodium alginate and vitamin A palmitate. Aldi cheese melt has a shorter ingredient list overall.
Taste Comparison
Probably the most important factor when comparing these processed cheese products is the taste.
Here is how Aldi cheese melt and Velveeta compare in terms of taste and texture:
- Mild cheese flavor – Both have a mild, creamy cheese flavor when eaten straight or cold.
- Smooth texture – When melted, they have a smooth, creamy, and gooey texture with no separation.
- Good melting – Both melt nicely into dips, sauces, macaroni and cheese dishes.
- Velveeta is saltier – Velveeta has a slightly saltier taste compared to Aldi cheese melt.
- Velveeta has more tang – Velveeta has a bit tangier, sharper cheese flavor while Aldi is very mild.
- Similar mouthfeel – The melted texture in the mouth is similar between both cheeses.
In general, Velveeta and Aldi cheese melt have a lot of similarities when melted. Velveeta stands out with its tangier, saltier flavor while Aldi cheese melt is extremely mild and creamy tasting.
Cooking and Melting
Processed cheese products like Velveeta and Aldi cheese melt are designed to melt smoothly. Here is how they compare when cooking or using in recipes:
- Can be melted into smooth sauces and dips
- Melt cleanly without separating or becoming greasy
- Velveeta melts a bit quicker compared to Aldi cheese
- Aldi cheese melt may require a splash of milk or water to improve melting
- Velveeta melts smoothly on its own
- Both work well in grilled cheese sandwiches
- Can be used in macaroni and cheese recipes
- Add creamy texture to casseroles and baked dishes
Overall, Velveeta and Aldi cheese melt behave quite similarly when cooking. They both melt into smooth sauces and give a creamy texture to dishes. Velveeta seems to melt a bit quicker and easier while Aldi may need some help from added liquids. But both can be used in very similar ways in recipes.
Packaging
Velveeta and Aldi cheese melt also differ in their packaging:
- Velveeta – Comes wrapped in foil or plastic tubs for larger sizes.
- Aldi – Packaged in plastic block packaging.
- Velveeta offers more sizes – Sold in 8 oz, 16 oz, and 32 oz. Aldi only comes in 8 oz and 16 oz.
- Resealability – Velveeta’s plastic tubs reseal better compared to Aldi’s plastic wrapping.
The packaging formats reflect the differences between a name brand (Velveeta) and a store brand (Aldi). Velveeta offers more variety in packaging sizes and arguably has better resealable options. But both products use plastic packaging that is easy to store.
Price Comparison
Being a discount grocery store, Aldi cheese melt is usually notably cheaper in price compared to name brand Velveeta. Here are some typical prices:
| Product | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Aldi Cheese Melt 8 oz | $1.49 |
| Aldi Cheese Melt 16 oz | $2.75 |
| Velveeta Original 8 oz | $3.48 |
| Velveeta Original 16 oz | $5.98 |
On a per ounce basis, Aldi cheese melt costs about 40-50% less than the same size package of Velveeta. Even with occasional sales at grocery stores, Aldi still comes out as the cheaper option between these two processed cheese products.
Availability
One other significant difference is where these products are sold:
- Velveeta – Sold at most major grocery stores nationwide.
- Aldi Cheese Melt – Only available at Aldi locations in the US.
Velveeta enjoys widespread availability at grocery stores and supermarkets. Meanwhile, Aldi cheese melt can only be purchased at Aldi store locations. Aldi has over 2,000 stores in 36 states, mostly concentrated in the Midwest, East Coast, and Southern regions of the US.
Final Thoughts – Which is Better?
In the battle of Aldi cheese melt versus Velveeta, which comes out as the winner? Here are some final thoughts:
- Similar melting properties – For melting and cooking, they behave very similarly.
- Velveeta tastes saltier and tangier – Velveeta has a more pronounced, sharper cheese flavor.
- Aldi cheese is cheaper – Aldi cheese melt costs significantly less per ounce.
- Velveeta has better brand recognition – It is undoubtedly the more popular and recognizable brand name.
- Velveeta offers more sizes and flavors – Aldi cheese only comes in 8 oz and 16 oz blocks.
While Velveeta takes the edge in terms of flavor complexity and brand name appeal, Aldi cheese melt is the better option for shoppers on a tight budget. If you require a processed cheese product with excellent melting ability and don’t need the exact taste of Velveeta, then Aldi cheese melt gets the job done at half the price.
The Bottom Line
Aldi cheese melt products can serve as cheaper alternatives to Velveeta if you require melted cheese for cooking and baking. While not exactly the same in terms of taste, Aldi cheese melt mimics the texture and melting properties of Velveeta at a significant discount. So tight budget shoppers can save money opting for the Aldi version without sacrificing too much on quality.