The $1.25 Dollar Tree Find I’m Buying From Now On

It’s funny how tastes can change. I never used to consider myself a “soup person” and even remember practically making my friend fall out of her seat when I told her as much. However, something changed a couple of years ago, and now I make at least two pots of soup weekly. I love how they provide quick, nourishing meals and often taste better after a day or two in the fridge. It’s also deeply satisfying to have a batch of homemade soup sitting in the fridge or freezer. 

Of course, life doesn’t always allow for homemade soup, which is why I occasionally spring for some nicer store-bought options for my pantry. Pacific Foods has long been one of my go-to brands for its quality ingredients and reliably delicious flavors. So when I spotted their boxed soups sitting on a Dollar Tree shelf for $1.25, I was shaken—so affordable!

The same premium soups cost $4.39 at Target and an eye-watering $7.99 in Canada (where I’m from). I felt it had to be a mistake—but it wasn’t. And now my pantry is stocked with Pacific Foods soups, which I consider one of the holy grails of Dollar Tree finds.

Why I Love Pacific Foods Boxed Soups

Dollar Tree is currently stocking Pacific Foods’ organic roasted red pepper and tomato as well as the organic chicken noodle soup. They’re both excellent options, and the price feels like highway robbery.

When it comes to what you get, the 32-ounce box of roasted red pepper and tomato is sweet and rich-tasting, and impossibly creamy without being heavy. It’s made with real ingredients, almost all of which you’d be hard-pressed not to find in your own refrigerator or pantry. And unlike any other store-bought red pepper and/or tomato soup I’ve tried, this genuinely tastes homemade.

Nothing beats a lovingly made pot of chicken noodle soup, but the 17-ounce box of organic chicken noodle soup comes close. It offers toothsome egg noodles and a smattering of vegetables and is made with nourishing bone broth, so it packs an impressive 14 to 18 grams of protein per serving. 

How To Upgrade a Box of Soup

While these soups are delicious straight out of the box, there are a few simple ways to make them taste even more homemade. My easiest addition to the roasted red pepper and tomato soup is to add a handful of fresh parsley and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to balance the sweetness. I’ll toss in some tortellini and a sprinkle of Parmesan for a more substantial meal.

Of course, grilled cheese croutons (or regular croutons) take it to the next level. I’ll sometimes even use this soup as a shortcut pasta sauce, simmering it down slightly and tossing it with pasta, cooked sausage, roasted vegetables, and a generous dusting of cheese. The chicken noodle is a meal in and of itself, but a handful of frozen veggies, chopped spinach, or a sprinkle of parsley will add some nutrition and give the soup a gorgeous pop of color.  

If you’re interested in trying Pacific Foods soups or are already a s(o)uper fan, don’t sleep on these! Grab a few boxes. Or, you know, a dozen because it feels criminal not to stock up at this price. At $1.25 each, these premium soups won’t be there much longer.

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