ALDI Dairy-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: Four of the five dinners are built around this week's most wallet-friendly proteins: kielbasa at under $3 for the whole pack, chicken thighs at $2.49/lb, marinated pork loin at $2.99/lb, and black beans paired with a rice cup for a hearty plant-based night. Those four nights average well under $2 per person in protein alone, which leaves room for one genuinely special dinner. Lamb steaks at $8.99/lb are the better premium pick over salmon at $10.99/lb, so Friday gets the lamb and the salmon stays on the shelf this week. The pizza dough, pasta sauce, pizza sauce, black beans, and rice cups are all under $2 each and pull serious flavor weight without inflating the total. The Reggano Cheesy Skillet Dinner and Priano Stuffed Shells were skipped entirely because both contain dairy. This is an unusually protein-rich flyer with several premium cuts, so keeping the premium night to one and leaning hard on kielbasa, thighs, and pork keeps the week honest and affordable.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Skillet Polska Kielbasa with Black Beans, Salsa, and Rice
Description: Sliced Parkview Polska Kielbasa is browned in a skillet until caramelized, then simmered with Simply Nature Organic Black Beans and Park Street Deli Cantina Salsa for a smoky, hearty one-pan dinner. Earthly Grains Ready-to-Eat Rice Cups are heated separately and served alongside to soak up the savory sauce.
Sale items used: Parkview Polska Kielbasa Assorted Varieties 13-14 oz, Simply Nature Organic Black Beans 15.5 oz (x2 cans), Park Street Deli Cantina Salsa 16 oz, Earthly Grains Ready-to-Eat Rice Cups 8.8 oz (x2 cups)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 full pack of kielbasa (sliced into coins), 2 cans of black beans (drained), 1 full jar of salsa, and 2 rice cups (each cup is about 2 servings) for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Black Beans, Sausage and Rice Skillet

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs with Avocado and Mini Cucumber Salad
Description: Boneless skinless chicken thighs are seasoned with pantry spices and baked until golden and cooked through, delivering juicy, tender results in under 40 minutes. A fresh side salad of sliced mini cucumbers and diced avocado dressed with olive oil and lime brings cool contrast to the warm chicken.
Sale items used: Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, Mini Cucumbers 16-oz. pkg., Avocados
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken thighs (about 4-5 thighs), 1 full package of mini cucumbers, and 2 avocados for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Blackened Grilled Chicken Thighs with Avocado Cucumber Salad

Wednesday
Meal: Sliced Marinated Pork Loin Filet with Sauteed Baby Bella Mushrooms and Peaches
Description: Fresh Marinated Pork Loin Filet is sliced into medallions and pan-seared over medium-high heat until cooked through with a golden crust, then plated alongside sauteed Baby Bella Mushrooms. Sliced fresh peaches are warmed briefly in the same pan with a touch of olive oil to create a simple sweet-savory topping that complements the pork.
Sale items used: Fresh Marinated Pork Loin Filet, Baby Bella Mushrooms 8-oz. pkg. (x2), Peaches
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of pork loin filet (sliced into 1-inch medallions), 2 packages of Baby Bella Mushrooms, and 4 peaches (about 1 per person) for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Peach Salsa

Thursday
Meal: Homemade Pizza Dough Flatbread with Ground Beef and Spicy Pizza Sauce
Description: Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Pizza Dough is stretched thin and baked on a sheet pan, topped with Reggano Regular or Spicy Pizza Sauce and seasoned Simply Nature Organic Grass-Fed 93% Ground Beef that has been browned and drained beforehand. The result is a hearty, dairy-free flatbread pizza with bold tomato and beef flavor that comes together in about 45 minutes.
Sale items used: Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Pizza Dough 16 oz, Reggano Regular or Spicy Pizza Sauce 14 oz, Fresh Family Pack Organic Grass-Fed 93% Ground Beef (Simply Nature)
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package of pizza dough (stretched to a large rectangle), 1 jar of pizza sauce, and 1 lb of ground beef (browned and seasoned) for 4 people.

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Lamb Steaks with Strawberry and Avocado Salsa
Description: Fresh Lamb Steaks are seasoned with garlic, cumin, and black pepper then seared in a hot cast-iron or heavy skillet to a rosy medium, resting briefly before slicing. A bright, no-cook salsa of diced strawberries, avocado, and fresh lime juice is spooned over the top for a vibrant, dairy-free finish that balances the richness of the lamb.
Sale items used: Fresh Lamb Steaks, Strawberries 1-lb. pkg., Avocados
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of lamb steaks (approximately 4 steaks at 0.5 lb each), 1 package of strawberries (diced), and 2 avocados (diced) for 4 people.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Parkview Polska Kielbasa Assorted Varieties 13-14 oz (x1 pack): $2.89
- Simply Nature Organic Black Beans 15.5 oz (x2 cans): $1.98
- Park Street Deli Cantina Salsa 16 oz (x1 jar): $2.49
- Earthly Grains Ready-to-Eat Rice Cups 8.8 oz (x2 cups): $3.30
- Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (2 lbs): $4.98
- Mini Cucumbers 16-oz. pkg. (x1 pkg.): $1.69
- Avocados (x4): $2.36
- Fresh Marinated Pork Loin Filet (1.5 lbs): $4.49
- Baby Bella Mushrooms 8-oz. pkg. (x2 pkgs.): $2.58
- Peaches (4 peaches, approx. 1.5 lbs): $2.09
- Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Pizza Dough 16 oz (x1 pkg.): $1.19
- Reggano Regular or Spicy Pizza Sauce 14 oz (x1 jar): $1.09
- Fresh Family Pack Organic Grass-Fed 93% Ground Beef (Simply Nature) (1 lb): $5.99
- Fresh Lamb Steaks (2 lbs): $17.98
- Strawberries 1-lb. pkg. (x1 pkg.): $1.89

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Cumin
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Paprika or chili powder (for chicken thighs)
- Lime juice or fresh limes