ALDI Vegetarian Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

This week's flyer is genuinely vegetarian-friendly, with beans, cheese-forward pasta dishes, and frozen stuffed pasta covering all five nights without any meat or seafood to navigate around. Black beans anchor the most economical night at well under a dollar a serving, and the Reggano Cheesy Skillet Dinner and Priano Gnocchi keep three more nights in very affordable territory. The Priano Stuffed Shells or Manicotti at $4.89 is the single priciest item per serving and earns the one premium slot - it is a complete, cheese-filled pasta that needs almost nothing added to it. The pizza dough at $1.19 is one of the best deals on the flyer and makes Friday feel like a treat without pushing the total up. The Reggano Cheesy Skillet Dinner is used on one night only so the week does not lean on a single format twice, and the Organic Raspberries were skipped as a meal component since they are best suited to a snack or dessert rather than a dinner protein or main.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Black Bean and Avocado Rice Bowl with Cheddar
Description: Seasoned black beans are warmed with cumin and garlic, then spooned over ready-to-eat rice and topped with sliced avocado and shredded cheddar for a hearty, satisfying bowl. Mini cucumbers are sliced thin and served alongside as a cool, crisp contrast to the warm beans and rice.
Sale items used: Simply Nature Organic Black Beans, Earthly Grains Ready-to-Eat Rice Cups (x2), Avocados (x2), Happy Farms 2% Milk Mexican or Sharp Cheddar, Mini Cucumbers
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 cans of black beans (one per 2 people gives generous portions), 2 rice cups heated per package directions, 2 avocados halved and sliced (half per person), 1 package (11 oz) cheddar shredded over the top, and 1 package mini cucumbers sliced for the side.
Recipes:
- Mexican Rice Breakfast Bowl

Tuesday
Meal: Priano Stuffed Shells Baked with Tomato Basil Garlic Sauce and Mozzarella
Description: Frozen stuffed shells are arranged in a baking dish, covered with Reggano Tomato, Basil & Garlic Pasta Sauce, and blanketed with shredded mozzarella before baking until bubbly and golden. This is the week's most indulgent dinner, with the cheese-filled pasta doing most of the work while the oven does the rest.
Sale items used: Priano Stuffed Shells or Manicotti, Reggano Tomato, Basil & Garlic Pasta Sauce, Happy Farms Shredded Mozzarella
Prep time: 45 minutes (including bake time)
Serving note: Use 1 bag (20 oz) Priano Stuffed Shells or Manicotti, 1 jar (24 oz) Reggano Tomato, Basil & Garlic Pasta Sauce poured over the top, and 1 bag (16 oz) Happy Farms Shredded Mozzarella spread across the dish. Bake covered at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes, then uncover for 10 minutes to brown the cheese.
Recipes:
- Easy Stuffed Pasta Shells
- Vegetarian Stuffed Shells with a Spicy Homemade Tomato Sauce

Wednesday
Meal: Reggano Cheesy Skillet Dinner with Sauteed Baby Bella Mushrooms
Description: The Reggano Cheesy Skillet Dinner is prepared on the stovetop according to package directions, then topped with baby bella mushrooms that have been sauteed in olive oil with garlic until golden and tender. The mushrooms add a meaty, earthy depth to the creamy, cheesy pasta base and make the skillet feel like a complete, filling meal.
Sale items used: Reggano Cheesy Skillet Dinner, Baby Bella Mushrooms (x2)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 box Reggano Cheesy Skillet Dinner prepared per package directions, and 2 packages (8 oz each, 16 oz total) Baby Bella Mushrooms sliced and sauteed separately, then stirred in or piled on top before serving.

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Parmesan Romano and Peach Arugula Salad
Description: Priano Gnocchi are boiled briefly then pan-fried in olive oil until the outsides are crisp and lightly golden, finished with a generous shower of Reggano Parmesan & Romano Cheese and cracked black pepper. Fresh peaches are sliced and tossed with a simple oil and vinegar dressing for a bright, juicy salad that cuts through the richness of the pan-fried gnocchi.
Sale items used: Priano Gnocchi, Reggano Parmesan or Parmesan & Romano Cheese, Peaches
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 bag (17.6 oz) Priano Gnocchi for 4 people as a main, 1 package (8 oz) Reggano Parmesan or Parmesan & Romano Cheese grated over the top, and 2 lbs of peaches (from the 2-lb bag at $2.78) sliced for the salad. Pan-fry the gnocchi in batches in a skillet with olive oil for 3 to 4 minutes per side after boiling.

Check the label: many hard cheeses are set with animal rennet.

Recipes:
- Pan-Fried Gnocchi Salad

Friday
Meal: Homemade Vegetarian Pizza with Spicy Pizza Sauce, Mozzarella, and Baby Bella Mushrooms
Description: Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Pizza Dough is stretched and topped with Reggano Spicy Pizza Sauce, shredded mozzarella, and sliced baby bella mushrooms before baking on a sheet pan at high heat until the crust is crisp and the cheese is bubbling. A simple side of sliced mini cucumbers and California Red Grapes rounds out the meal with fresh, cool flavors.
Sale items used: Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Pizza Dough, Reggano Regular or Spicy Pizza Sauce, Happy Farms Shredded Mozzarella, Baby Bella Mushrooms, Mini Cucumbers, California Red Grapes
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package (16 oz) pizza dough stretched to fit a sheet pan, 1 can (14 oz) Reggano Spicy Pizza Sauce spread over the dough, 1 bag (16 oz) Happy Farms Shredded Mozzarella spread across the pizza, and 1 package (8 oz) Baby Bella Mushrooms sliced thin as a topping. Serve with 1 package mini cucumbers sliced and 1 lb California Red Grapes on the side. Bake at 425 degrees F for 18 to 22 minutes.
Recipes:
- The Best Foolproof Mushroom Pizza Recipe
- Vegetarian Mushroom Pizza Recipe

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Simply Nature Organic Black Beans (x2 cans): $1.98
- Earthly Grains Ready-to-Eat Rice Cups (x2): $3.30
- Avocados (x2): $1.18
- Happy Farms 2% Milk Mexican or Sharp Cheddar (x1): $2.79
- Mini Cucumbers (x2 packages): $3.38
- Priano Stuffed Shells or Manicotti (x1): $4.89
- Reggano Tomato, Basil & Garlic Pasta Sauce (x1): $1.69
- Happy Farms Shredded Mozzarella (x2): $6.58
- Reggano Cheesy Skillet Dinner (x1): $2.79
- Baby Bella Mushrooms (x3 packages): $3.87
- Priano Gnocchi (x1): $1.89
- Reggano Parmesan or Parmesan & Romano Cheese (x1): $2.79
Check the label: many hard cheeses are set with animal rennet.
- Peaches (x1 two-lb bag): $2.78
- Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Pizza Dough (x1): $1.19
- Reggano Regular or Spicy Pizza Sauce (x1): $1.09
- California Red Grapes (x1 lb): $1.29

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or jarred minced)
- Cumin
- Salt and black pepper
- Red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar (for peach salad dressing)
- Dried Italian seasoning or oregano