Lidl is my secret for feeding my family of 6 on a budget. Here are 14 of my favorite things to buy there.

When it comes to getting my kids to eat fresh produce, I've learned that variety helps — as does serving it with pretty much everything, from snacks and packed lunches to main meals.

At Lidl, produce is typically half the price it is at other supermarkets, so I can really stock up to ensure my children have options to last the week.

They eat peppers, cucumbers, carrots, and tomatoes — which I often serve with hummus — in their packed lunches.

We have salads with spinach and little gem lettuce, and I tend to make soups and sauces out of broccoli and zucchini. I've also added cauliflower to my repertoire.

My family consumes a lot of fruit. A six-pack of apples can disappear in minutes.

I try to encourage the kids to snack on fruit, so I serve it often and buy different kinds for them to try.

Typically, I'll grab some sets of blueberries, which the kids like to have with their yogurt or cereal at breakfast, and multipacks of apples for after-school snacks and post-dinner dessert.

Whenever possible, I also like to get more exotic fruit from Lidl, like pineapple and mangoes. They're often cheaper than at other supermarkets.

Pasta is a favorite in our family, and I try to jazz it up for the kids with different kinds of homemade veggie, cream, and meat sauces.

I also need it on hand whenever other kids come over since even the pickiest eaters tend to be happy with cheesy pasta.

Dry spaghetti is a total bargain at Lidl. I buy both white and whole-wheat packs.

As someone who stopped eating meat (except fish) a few years ago, I often try to give my kids meat-free options, too.

My current obsession is dal, an Indian dish with red lentils that's high in protein. I add spices like turmeric, cumin, and curry powder, as well as vegetables and coconut milk. I serve it with brown rice and naan bread.

The kids absolutely love it and lick their plates clean, though I always make sure to cook enough to have leftovers.

Lidl's free-range eggs are a cost-effective option, especially since my family can easily consume two dozen in a week.

We eat eggs in our omelets and hard-boil them for niçoise salad and packed lunches. We also bake with them once a week, on average.

My kids and husband love cured meats and smoked salmon in sandwiches, on crackers, or as part of a charcuterie-style platter.

I always buy this stuff from Lidl because it's more affordable and doesn't feel so financially indulgent.

With an impressive variety of tasty and festive options, Lidl is a cheese lover's paradise.

We eat lots of cheese in our family, from feta and sliced Emmental to halloumi and cream cheese.

I've started buying grated mozzarella and cheddar to save time because the kids love making their own pizzas with tortillas or naan as the base.

It's amazing how something so inexpensive can be the star of a meal, but canned beans and vegetables pack a punch of flavor. I use them all of the time.

Chickpeas (or garbanzo beans) are the signature ingredient in the veggie curries I batch cook. I also add sweet potato or butternut squash, spinach, coconut milk, and canned tomatoes, then serve the dish with rice for a hearty, wholesome meal.

Made with organic whole-grain brown rice, Kallo's rice cakes are gluten-free and high in fiber and come topped with dark chocolate or yogurt. My kids absolutely love them and they cost less at Lidl than anywhere else I've found them.

Similarly, I buy packs of grissini breadsticks for another easy, on-the-go snack.

My husband loves nuts, so I also pick up pistachios, cashews, and almonds that I toss in salt, oil, and the spice za'atar, then roast in the oven.

The kids love it when I make chili, spaghetti Bolognese, or lasagna, which traditionally all call for ground beef.

I try to cook one of those dishes once a week, and I make enough to last for a few meals.

Now that all of my kids are out of diapers, we use up a lot of toilet paper.

I never leave the shop without a nine-pack, and usually more than one.

The middle section of many Lidls often has the most random collection of stuff, such as TV screens, ice molds, kitchen gadgets, food-storage containers, pajamas, Monopoly games, and more. I once spotted a wooden toddler bike.

I'm often tempted by some new find in this section.

Cien's Q10 intensive serum is a bargain at Lidl and has hydrating hyaluronic acid. Plus it smells amazing and goes on smoothly.

I'm also impressed with the packaging, which is made of glass and feels expensive.

Reese's peanut-butter cups are my Kryptonite.

I buy way too many and then try to hide them from my kids and myself.

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