ALDI Vegetarian Meal Plan

SALE ITEMS FOUND

Meats on sale:
- Perdue Fresh Chicken Drumsticks Family Pack: $0.89 (price not listed - no unit shown)
- Ahi Tuna Steaks: $8.99 (price not listed - no unit shown)
- Morton's of Omaha Beef Tenderloin: $2.99 (price not listed - no unit shown)
- Fresh Pork: $3.99 (price not listed - no unit shown)
- Kirkwood Fresh Chicken Tenderloins: $3.99 (price not listed - no unit shown)
- MSC Certified Sockeye: $13.99 (price not listed - no unit shown)
- Fremont Fish Tilapia Fillets: $8.85 (price not listed - no unit shown)
- Fremont Tilapia: $3.99 (price not listed - no unit shown)
- Fremont Argentine Red Shrimp 16 oz. Frozen: $9.99
- Seasoned Chicken: $1.15 each

Vegetables on sale:
- Driscoll's Strawberries: $1.89
- Washington Red Apples: $2.79
- Peaches: $1.69
- Baby Bella Mushrooms: $1.29 per 8-oz. Pkg.
- Mushrooms: $1.69 per 16-oz. Pkg.
- Cucumbers: $2.99 per 11.15-12 oz. Pkg.
- Organic Peaches: $3.99 each

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):

Note: All meat and seafood items from the flyer have been excluded from this plan because the dietary requirement is strictly vegetarian. Every item in the Meats and Seafood section is non-compliant. The only sale items with clear, usable pricing units that support vegetarian protein are:

• Happy Farms American Cheese Slices ($3.95 per pack, roughly $0.99 per serving for 4): most economical dairy protein
• Baby Bella Mushrooms ($1.29 per 8-oz. pkg., roughly $0.32 per serving): economical umami-rich vegetable used as a protein-supporting ingredient
• Earthly Grains couscous ($0.99 per unit, roughly $0.25 per serving): economical grain base

Because this is a vegetarian plan, protein comes from pantry staples such as eggs, beans, and lentils, supplemented by the dairy sale item above. No premium animal protein night applies this week. The five dinners are built around the produce and pantry sale items that have clear pricing, keeping costs low and variety high.

Why these meals: This week's ALDI flyer is dominated by meat and seafood, none of which fits a vegetarian table, so the smart move is to lean hard into the produce and pantry deals and fill protein from your home pantry. Baby Bella Mushrooms at $1.29 for 8 oz. and the 16-oz. Mushrooms at $1.69 are the standout buys of the week, delivering deep savory flavor for almost nothing per serving. The Earthly Grains grain base at $0.99 and the Season's Steamable Medley at $1.79 each round out two more dinners without breaking the budget. Happy Farms American Cheese Slices at $3.95 add a satisfying dairy protein night, and the cucumber pack at $2.99 stretches into a fresh, cooling meal. Skipping every meat and seafood item entirely keeps the weekly total well within range and means every dollar goes toward ingredients that actually land on your plate.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Sauteed Baby Bella Mushroom and Egg Scramble over Earthly Grains Couscous
Description: Sliced Baby Bella Mushrooms are sauteed in olive oil with garlic and thyme until golden, then folded together with beaten eggs into a soft, savory scramble. The mixture is spooned over fluffy couscous prepared from the Earthly Grains base, making a hearty and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Sale items used: Baby Bella Mushrooms ($1.29 per 8-oz. pkg.), Earthly Grains ($0.99)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pkg. (8 oz.) Baby Bella Mushrooms and 1 unit Earthly Grains couscous; supplement with 8 eggs from pantry (2 per person). Serves 4.
Recipes:
- Mushroom Couscous

Tuesday
Meal: Steamed Season's Steamable Medley and Black Bean Tacos with American Cheese
Description: Season's Steamable Medley vegetables are steamed according to package directions, then piled into warm tortillas with seasoned canned black beans and topped with Happy Farms American Cheese Slices. A squeeze of lime and a dash of cumin from the pantry tie the flavors together into a bright, filling taco night.
Sale items used: Season's Steamable Medley ($1.79 each), Happy Farms American Cheese Slices ($3.95)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 pkgs. Season's Steamable Medley (2 x $1.79 = $3.58) and 1 pack Happy Farms American Cheese Slices; use 2 slices per person (8 slices total). Black beans, tortillas, lime, and cumin from pantry. Serves 4.
Recipes:
- Crispy Black Bean Tacos
- Vegetarian Black Bean Tacos

Wednesday
Meal: Sauteed Mushroom and Cucumber Grain Bowl with Lemon-Herb Dressing
Description: Sliced Mushrooms are sauteed until tender and lightly caramelized, then arranged over a base of cooked Earthly Grains with sliced fresh Cucumbers for cool contrast. A simple lemon-herb dressing made from pantry olive oil, lemon juice, and dried dill brings the bowl together with a bright, fresh finish.
Sale items used: Mushrooms ($1.69 per 16-oz. pkg.), Cucumbers ($2.99 per pkg.), Earthly Grains ($3.29)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pkg. (16 oz.) Mushrooms, 1 pkg. Cucumbers, and 1 unit Earthly Grains ($3.29). Olive oil, lemon, garlic, and dill from pantry. Serves 4.
Recipes:
- Mushroom and Spring Vegetable Grain Bowl with Lemon & Herb Ricotta Dressing
- Mushrooms & Cucumbers Salad with Herbs Dressing

Thursday
Meal: Baked Egg and American Cheese Stuffed Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
Description: L'oven Fresh Hawaiian Sweet Rolls are split and filled with a mixture of scrambled egg and melted Happy Farms American Cheese Slices, then baked briefly until the cheese is bubbly and the rolls are lightly toasted. Served alongside a simple fresh Strawberry salad dressed with a splash of balsamic from the pantry, this makes a satisfying sweet-and-savory dinner.
Sale items used: L'oven Fresh Hawaiian Sweet Rolls ($2.45), Happy Farms American Cheese Slices ($3.95), Driscoll's Strawberries ($1.89)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pack L'oven Fresh Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (serves 4 with 2-3 rolls each), 1 pack Happy Farms American Cheese Slices (use remaining slices from the pack purchased Tuesday or a second pack at $3.95 - plan uses 1 additional pack), and 1 pkg. Driscoll's Strawberries. Eggs and balsamic from pantry. Serves 4.

Friday
Meal: Pan-Fried Lentil Patties with Peach Salsa and Cucumber Slices
Description: Pantry red lentils are cooked, mashed, and formed into patties seasoned with cumin and garlic, then pan-fried in olive oil until crisp on the outside and tender inside. Fresh Peaches are diced and tossed with lime juice and cilantro into a bright salsa, served alongside cool sliced Cucumbers for a colorful, protein-rich end to the week.
Sale items used: Peaches ($1.69), Cucumbers ($2.99 per pkg.)
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 4 Peaches (1 per person from the $1.69 pack - note the flyer lists $1.69 for Peaches without a stated count; treat as one purchase unit) and 1 pkg. Cucumbers. Red lentils, cumin, garlic, lime, cilantro, and olive oil from pantry. Serves 4.
Recipes:
- Best Lentil Patties
- Crispy lentil patties recipe

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Baby Bella Mushrooms (x1 pkg., 8 oz.): $1.29
- Earthly Grains (x1 unit at $0.99): $0.99
- Season's Steamable Medley (x2 pkgs.): $3.58
- Happy Farms American Cheese Slices (x2 packs): $7.90
- Mushrooms (x1 pkg., 16 oz.): $1.69
- Cucumbers (x2 pkgs.): $5.98
- Earthly Grains (x1 unit at $3.29): $3.29
- L'oven Fresh Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (x1 pack): $2.45
- Driscoll's Strawberries (x1 pkg.): $1.89
- Peaches (x1 purchase unit): $1.69

Pantry staples needed:
- Eggs (about 16 total for the week)
- Canned black beans
- Red lentils
- Flour tortillas
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Cumin
- Dried thyme
- Dried dill
- Lemon juice or fresh lemons
- Lime juice or fresh limes
- Fresh cilantro
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt and black pepper