ALDI Vegetarian Meal Plan

SALE ITEMS FOUND

Meats on sale:
- Fresh Chicken Thin-Sliced Bone Pork Chops: $2.99/lb
- Fresh Lamb Shank Unseasoned: $5.99
- Ground Beef Patties Fresh 85/15: $5.99/lb
- USDA Choice Seasoned Beef: $6.99
- Fresh 85/15 Ground Beef: $7.99/lb
- Smithfield Fresh Spareribs: $1.99
- Italian Links: $8.99
- Fresh Atlantic Salmon: $12.99
- Fresh Grass-Fed Ribeye Steaks: $12.99

Vegetables on sale:
- Avocados: $0.69 each
- Organic Zucchini: $2.39/lb
- Nectarines or Plums: $1.49 each
- Organic Cherub Tomatoes: $3.49 for 10-pack
- Athena Greek Herbs: $1.99

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Assorted Dakota's Baked Beans Varieties: $4.79 flat per can - roughly $4.79 to feed 4 (vegetarian protein, most economical)
- Happy Farms Assorted Varieties (frozen, likely cheese/dairy based): $4.29 per pack - roughly $4.29 for 4
- Burrata: $4.65 flat - roughly $4.65 for 4 people as a protein-rich topping
- Simply Nature Spinach or Italian Chicken Sausage: $4.95 flat - note "Chicken Sausage" contains poultry, not vegetarian; this item is excluded entirely
- Mama Cozzi's Mini Pizza: $6.99 per pack - cheese-based, roughly $6.99 for 4
- Smithfield Fresh Spareribs: $1.99 - listed price appears suspiciously low; likely a partial pack or per-lb, still a meat item, excluded (not vegetarian)
- Fresh Chicken Thin-Sliced Bone Pork Chops: $2.99/lb x 2 lbs = ~$5.98 for 4 - pork, excluded (not vegetarian)
- Ground Beef Patties 85/15: $5.99/lb x 2 lbs = ~$11.98 for 4 - beef, excluded (not vegetarian)
- Fresh Lamb Shank: $5.99 - lamb, excluded (not vegetarian)
- USDA Choice Seasoned Beef: $6.99 - beef, excluded (not vegetarian)
- Italian Links: $8.99 - meat sausage, excluded (not vegetarian)
- Fresh 85/15 Ground Beef: $7.99/lb x 2 lbs = ~$15.98 for 4 - beef, excluded (not vegetarian)
- Fresh Atlantic Salmon: $12.99/lb x 2 lbs = ~$25.98 for 4 - premium seafood, excluded (not vegetarian)
- Fresh Grass-Fed Ribeye Steaks: $12.99 - premium beef, excluded (not vegetarian)

Why these meals: This is a heavily meat-forward flyer, which actually works in your favor as a vegetarian shopper because the standout vegetarian values are genuinely strong this week. The $4.79 baked beans anchor one hearty dinner on their own, the $4.65 burrata is a surprisingly affordable splurge that turns zucchini and tomatoes into something restaurant-worthy, and eggs from your pantry carry two more nights at nearly no added cost. Avocados at $0.69 each are a steal worth buying in quantity, and the organic zucchini and cherry tomatoes round out a produce lineup that makes the whole week feel fresh and varied. The frozen mini pizzas at $6.99 give you a fun Friday with zero effort, and layering the hot honey ($1.59) across a couple of meals squeezes extra value from that single small purchase.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Zucchini and Burrata Frittata with Cherry Tomatoes
Description: Sliced organic zucchini and sweet cherry tomatoes are sauteed until tender, then folded into a fluffy baked egg frittata and finished with torn creamy burrata. It is a protein-rich, Italian-inspired dinner that comes together in one oven-safe skillet.
Sale items used: Organic Zucchini, Organic Cherub Tomatoes, Burrata
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: 1 lb zucchini (sliced), 1 pack cherry tomatoes, 8 large eggs (pantry), 1 container burrata torn over the top - serves 4
Recipes:
- Roasted Tomato and Zucchini Frittata
- Tomato & Zucchini Frittata
- Baked Frittata with Goat Cheese, Zucchini and Cherry Tomato Recipe

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Beans and Avocado Loaded Everything Bagel Melts
Description: Smoky, hearty baked beans are warmed and spooned generously over toasted everything bagels, then topped with sliced fresh avocado and a drizzle of hot honey for a sweet-savory kick. It is an easy, filling vegetarian dinner built almost entirely from the sale shelf.
Sale items used: Assorted Dakota's Baked Beans, Avocados, Everything Bagel, Hot Honey
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 2 cans baked beans (split across 4 open-faced bagels), 4 avocados sliced, 1 pack everything bagels (10 oz, each person gets 2-3 bagel halves), drizzle of hot honey - serves 4
Recipes:
- Crispy Chili White Beans on an Avocado Bagel
- Vegan Everything Bagel Avocado White Bean Sandwich

Wednesday
Meal: Greek Herb Scrambled Eggs with Avocado and Zucchini Hash
Description: Diced zucchini is pan-roasted into a golden hash, then fluffy scrambled eggs seasoned with Athena Greek herbs are served alongside thick slices of fresh avocado. It is a bright, herb-forward breakfast-for-dinner that is quick, cheap, and genuinely satisfying.
Sale items used: Organic Zucchini, Athena Greek Herbs, Avocados
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1 lb zucchini diced, 10 large eggs (pantry), 2 avocados sliced, seasoning from 1 pack Athena Greek Herbs - serves 4
Recipes:
- Greek Scrambled Eggs
- Easy Scrambled Eggs with Zucchini
- Veggie Scramble with Avocado

Thursday
Meal: Hot Honey Roasted Cherry Tomato and Zucchini Pasta with Burrata
Description: Cherry tomatoes and zucchini are roasted at high heat until jammy and caramelized, tossed with pasta and a finishing drizzle of hot honey, then topped with torn burrata for a creamy, tangy sauce. This is a simple but deeply flavorful Italian-style vegetarian pasta dinner.
Sale items used: Organic Cherub Tomatoes, Organic Zucchini, Hot Honey, Burrata
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: 1 pack cherry tomatoes, 1 lb zucchini, 1 lb pasta (pantry), 1 container burrata, hot honey drizzle to taste - serves 4
Recipes:
- Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta with Burrata
- Zucchini Noodle Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes and Burrata

Friday
Meal: Mini Pizza Night with Avocado and Greek Herb Topping
Description: Mama Cozzi's mini cheese pizzas are baked until crispy, then each pizza is finished with sliced fresh avocado and a sprinkle of Athena Greek herbs for a fresh, herb-forward topping that brightens the rich cheese. It is an easy, fun end-of-week dinner that the whole table will enjoy.
Sale items used: Mama Cozzi's Mini Pizza, Avocados, Athena Greek Herbs
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 1 pack Mama Cozzi's Mini Pizza (31 oz, roughly 2-3 mini pizzas per person), 2 avocados sliced over the top, seasoning from Athena Greek Herbs - serves 4
Recipes:
- Avocado Pizza (Green Goddess)
- Greek Pizza

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Organic Zucchini (2 lbs total across the week): $4.78
- Organic Cherub Tomatoes (x2 packs): $6.98
- Burrata (x2 containers): $9.30
- Avocados (x8 individual): $5.52
- Assorted Dakota's Baked Beans (x2 cans): $9.58
- Everything Bagel (x1 pack, 10 oz): $4.89
- Hot Honey (x1 jar): $1.59
- Athena Greek Herbs (x1 pack): $1.99
- Mama Cozzi's Mini Pizza (x1 pack): $6.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Eggs (18 count carton for Monday and Wednesday)
- Pasta (1 lb, any shape)
- Olive oil
- Salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes
- Garlic