ALDI Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: Here's why these meals work for your ALDI trip: the plan leans on beef and chicken, with beef on Monday and Wednesday and chicken on Tuesday and Thursday, so the week has a nice rhythm and nothing repeats in the same style. Gala apples and Bartlett pears each show up on three nights (apples on Tuesday and Thursday, pears on Wednesday and Friday), and one 3-lb bag of each covers it, at $1.99 for the apples and $2.99 for the pears. Monday's Petite Beef Tender at $13.98 is the splurge night, while Friday's no-cook salami, Parmesan and Cranberry White Cheddar board with crackers keeps the end of the week easy at just 15 minutes. You'll mostly need pantry basics like butter, olive oil, garlic and a few seasonings, so the cart is nearly all sale items.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Morton's of Omaha Petite Beef Tender with Garlic Butter French Green Beans
Description: The Petite Beef Tender is seared in a hot skillet until browned outside and medium inside, then rested and sliced. French Green Beans are sauteed in garlic butter until crisp-tender for a simple steakhouse-style plate.
Sale items used: Morton's of Omaha Fresh Garlic or Steakhouse Petite Beef Tender, French Green Beans (1-lb pkg)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs Petite Beef Tender total (about 0.5 lb per person) and 1 pkg (1 lb) French Green Beans. Sear the beef about 4 to 5 minutes per side, then rest 5 minutes before slicing.
Recipes:
- Beef Tenderloin Recipe with Garlic Herb Butter
- Beef Tenderloin with Garlic Butter
- Pan-Seared Beef Tenderloin with Garlic Herb Butter

Tuesday
Meal: Oven-Baked Buffalo Party Pack Chicken Wings with Gala Apple and Aged Reserved White Cheddar Plate
Description: The Buffalo Party Pack Chicken Wings are baked in a hot oven until crisp and browned. They are served with a cooling plate of crisp Gala apple wedges and slices of Aged Reserved White Cheddar.
Sale items used: Fresh Buffalo Party Pack Chicken Wings, 40 oz, New York Gala Apples (3-lb bag), Emporium Selection Aged Reserved White Cheddar, 10 oz
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pack (40 oz, 2.5 lbs) wings, 3 Gala apples from the 3-lb bag (about half the bag) and the whole 10 oz Aged Reserved White Cheddar. Bake following the package directions, about 45 minutes total. Slice the apples and cheddar while the wings bake.

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Ground Beef Patties with Melted Gouda or Edam, Fruit Spread, Pear Slices and Italian Breadsticks
Description: Seasoned Ground Beef Chub patties are pan-seared and topped with the Gouda or Edam Wedge until melted. They are finished with a spoonful of fruit spread and served with fresh Bartlett pear slices and breadsticks.
Sale items used: Fresh Ground Beef Chub, Emporium Selection Gouda or Edam Wedge, 7 oz, Specially Selected Fig or Sour Cherry Fruit Spread, 9 oz, Washington Bartlett Pears (3-lb bag), Specially Selected Italian Breadsticks, 4.4 oz
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs Ground Beef Chub shaped into 8 patties, the whole 7 oz Gouda or Edam Wedge (sliced to top the patties), 1 jar (9 oz) fruit spread (use about a third and save the rest), 4 pears from the 3-lb bag (about half the bag) and 1 pack (4.4 oz) Italian Breadsticks. Cook the patties about 4 minutes per side, and add the cheese for the last minute.
Recipes:
- Gouda Vibes Burgers

Thursday
Meal: Skillet Chicken Breasts with Gala Apple Chutney Pan Sauce and Goat Cheese
Description: Chicken breasts are sliced into cutlets and pan-seared until golden and cooked through. Sliced Gala apples and chutney simmer into a quick sauce in the same pan, and crumbled goat cheese goes on top.
Sale items used: Fresh Family Pack Chicken Breasts, New York Gala Apples (3-lb bag), Specially Selected Assorted Chutney, 9.88 oz, Emporium Selection Goat Cheese Log, 4 oz
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs chicken breasts (about 0.5 lb per person), the 3 remaining Gala apples from the 3-lb bag, 1 jar (9.88 oz) chutney (use about half in the sauce) and the whole 4 oz Goat Cheese Log. Cook the cutlets about 5 to 6 minutes per side, then simmer the apples and chutney about 8 minutes.
Recipes:
- Apple Chutney & Grilled Chicken
- Chicken with goat cheese and apple sauce

Friday
Meal: Salami, Parmesan and Cranberry White Cheddar Dinner Board with Pears and Crackers
Description: This no-cook dinner board has sliced Assorted Salami, shaved Parmesan wedge pieces and Cranberry White Cheddar. It comes with fresh Bartlett pear slices and a cracker assortment for building bites.
Sale items used: Specially Selected Assorted Salami, 8 oz, Emporium Selection Parmesan Cheese Wedge, 8 oz, Emporium Selection Cranberry White Cheddar, 8 oz, Washington Bartlett Pears (3-lb bag), Specially Selected Entertainment Cracker Assortment, 13.2 oz
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pack (8 oz) Assorted Salami, the whole 8 oz Parmesan Cheese Wedge, the whole 8 oz Cranberry White Cheddar, the remaining pears from the 3-lb bag (about half the bag) and 1 box (13.2 oz) Entertainment Cracker Assortment. Slice the pears just before serving.
Recipes:
- Fall Charcuterie Board Ideas: Portions for 4, 8 or 12
- Holiday Cheese Board {Charcuterie Board}

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Morton's of Omaha Fresh Garlic or Steakhouse Petite Beef Tender (2 lbs): $13.98
- French Green Beans (1-lb pkg) (x1): $2.89
- Fresh Buffalo Party Pack Chicken Wings, 40 oz (x1): $4.99
- New York Gala Apples (3-lb bag) (x1): $1.99
- Emporium Selection Aged Reserved White Cheddar, 10 oz (x1): $2.69
- Fresh Ground Beef Chub (1.5 lbs): $4.49
- Emporium Selection Gouda or Edam Wedge, 7 oz (x1): $2.99
- Specially Selected Fig or Sour Cherry Fruit Spread, 9 oz (x1): $2.99
- Washington Bartlett Pears (3-lb bag) (x1): $2.99
- Specially Selected Italian Breadsticks, 4.4 oz (x1): $1.99
- Fresh Family Pack Chicken Breasts (2 lbs): $3.98
- Specially Selected Assorted Chutney, 9.88 oz (x1): $2.99
- Emporium Selection Goat Cheese Log, 4 oz (x1): $1.99
- Specially Selected Assorted Salami, 8 oz (x1): $4.99
- Emporium Selection Parmesan Cheese Wedge, 8 oz (x1): $3.99
- Emporium Selection Cranberry White Cheddar, 8 oz (x1): $2.99
- Specially Selected Entertainment Cracker Assortment, 13.2 oz (x1): $4.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh cloves)
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Onion powder
- Dried thyme