ALDI Standard Meal Plan

SALE ITEMS FOUND

Meats on sale:
- Wavy Ground Beef: $4.99 each
- Marc Angelo Fresh Teriyaki or Carne Asada Beef Skewers: $3.39
- Fresh Organic Chicken Breast: $4.99/lb
- Black Angus Petite Sirloin Steaks: $8.99
- Black Angus Fresh Top Sirloin Steak: $9.99
- Grass-Fed Strip Steak: $11.99
- Grass-Fed Ribeye Steaks: $12.99
- Fresh Salmon Side: $8.29

Vegetables on sale:
- Bagged Mini Sweet Corn: $2.39 for 4-pack
- Cotton Candy Grapes: $4.49 per 2-lb pkg
- Washington Whole Seedless Grapes: $2.79 per 6-pack

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Protein Ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving, 4 people):
- Beef Skewers (Teriyaki/Carne Asada): $3.39 per pack - most economical, flat price
- Wavy Ground Beef: $4.99 each - very budget friendly flat price
- Organic Chicken Breast: $4.99/lb x 2 lbs = ~$9.98 for 4 servings - mid range
- Salmon Side: $8.29 flat - premium seafood
- Petite Sirloin: $8.99 - premium steak
- Top Sirloin: $9.99 - premium steak
- Strip Steak: $11.99 - premium steak
- Ribeye: $12.99 - premium steak

Budget decision: Beef skewers, ground beef, and chicken breast are the economical proteins for 4 nights. Salmon is the single premium protein allowed, selected as the least expensive premium item on the list.

Monday
Meal: Carne Asada Skewer Bowls with Grilled Mini Sweet Corn
Description: The Marc Angelo Carne Asada skewers are grilled to smoky, citrusy perfection and served over rice alongside charred mini sweet corn on the cob. This bold, festive bowl comes together fast and delivers a restaurant-quality flavor at a fraction of the cost.
Sale items used: Marc Angelo Carne Asada Beef Skewers ($3.39 x2 packs), Bagged Mini Sweet Corn ($2.39 for 4-pack), Happy Farms Cheddar ($3.79)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 2 packs of skewers divided among 4 people (roughly 2-3 skewers each), 1 ear of corn per person from the 4-pack, shredded cheddar sprinkled over bowls
Recipes:
- Easy 30 Minute Carne Asada Bowls
- Grilled Carne Asada Bowls - SueBee Homemaker
- Carne Asada Burrito Bowls - Damn Delicious

Tuesday
Meal: Classic Smash Burgers with Cheddar and Grape Clusters on the Side
Description: Wavy Ground Beef patties are smashed thin on a hot skillet to get crispy, lacy edges and then topped with melted Happy Farms Cheddar for a diner-style burger night. Chilled Cotton Candy Grapes served alongside add a sweet, refreshing contrast to the savory burgers.
Sale items used: Wavy Ground Beef ($4.99 x1 package), Happy Farms Cheddar ($3.79), Cotton Candy Grapes ($4.49 per 2-lb pkg x1)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: One package of ground beef makes 4 generous quarter-pound patties, top each with a slice of cheddar, serve about half a pound of grapes per person split from the 2-lb bag
Recipes:
- Smash Burger Recipe
- Cheddar Smash Burgers Recipe | HelloFresh
- Smash Burger Recipe - Sugar Spun Run

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Salmon with Corn on the Cob and a Fresh Herb Butter
Description: A beautiful salmon side is portioned into 4 fillets and seared skin-side down until golden and crisp, then finished with a simple garlic herb butter. Mini sweet corn rounds out the plate for a bright, wholesome dinner that feels special without breaking the budget.
Sale items used: Fresh Salmon Side ($8.29 x1), Bagged Mini Sweet Corn ($2.39 for 4-pack x1)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: One salmon side yields 4 portions of approximately 5-6 oz each, one ear of corn per person from the 4-pack
Recipes:
- Pan Seared Salmon + Herbed Butter Sauce
- Crispy Pan Seared Salmon With Herb Butter
- Italian Garlic Butter Pan-Seared Salmon

Thursday
Meal: Teriyaki Chicken Skewer Rice Bowls with Cheddar-Topped Sweet Corn
Description: Marc Angelo Teriyaki Beef Skewers - swapped here for the teriyaki flavor profile paired with grilled mini sweet corn and steamed rice - bring a sweet, savory Japanese-inspired dinner to the table in under 30 minutes. Melted cheddar over the warm corn adds a creamy, indulgent finish to the bowl.
Sale items used: Marc Angelo Fresh Teriyaki Beef Skewers ($3.39 x2 packs), Bagged Mini Sweet Corn ($2.39 for 4-pack x1), Happy Farms Cheddar ($3.79)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 2 packs divided evenly among 4 people, 1 corn per person, cheddar melted over corn as a topping, served with pantry rice
Recipes:
- Quick Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls Recipe
- Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl (Amazing Recipe)
- Teriyaki Chicken Bowl Recipe - Dinner at the Zoo

Friday
Meal: Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Night with Grapes for Dessert
Description: Seasoned ground beef is cooked down with classic taco spices and loaded into warm tortillas with shredded Happy Farms Cheddar for a crowd-pleasing Friday night feast. Washington Seedless Grapes served after dinner make a light, refreshing no-fuss dessert to end the week on a sweet note.
Sale items used: Wavy Ground Beef ($4.99 x1 package), Happy Farms Cheddar ($3.79), Washington Whole Seedless Grapes ($2.79 per 6-pack x1)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: One package of ground beef fills approximately 8-10 tacos, about 2-3 tacos per person, shred cheddar generously over each, serve grapes in a shared bowl at the table
Recipes:
- Cheesy Ground Beef Tacos Recipe | Ree Drummond | Food Network
- Cheesy Beef and Bean Tacos - Cooking in the Midwest
- Easy Ground Beef Tacos (20 minutes!) - I Heart Naptime

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Marc Angelo Carne Asada Beef Skewers (x2 packs for Monday): $6.78
- Marc Angelo Teriyaki Beef Skewers (x2 packs for Thursday): $6.78
- Wavy Ground Beef (x2 packages, one for Tuesday and one for Friday): $9.98
- Fresh Salmon Side (x1 for Wednesday): $8.29
- Bagged Mini Sweet Corn (x3 four-packs, one per corn night Monday, Wednesday, Thursday): $7.17
- Happy Farms Cheddar (x2 blocks to last the week): $7.58
- Cotton Candy Grapes (x1 two-lb pkg for Tuesday): $4.49
- Washington Whole Seedless Grapes (x1 six-pack for Friday): $2.79

Pantry staples needed:
- Long grain white rice (for Monday and Thursday bowls)
- Flour tortillas (for Friday taco night)
- Taco seasoning or chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika
- Butter and fresh or dried garlic and parsley (for Wednesday salmon herb butter)
- Salt, black pepper, olive oil or cooking oil
- Sour cream and salsa (optional taco toppings)
- Burger buns (for Tuesday smash burgers)