ALDI Vegetarian Meal Plan

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Black Bean and Cheese Rice Bowls with Avocado
Description: A warm bowl of instant rice topped with seasoned black beans and melted taco blend cheese. Fresh mini avocado adds creaminess for a quick, filling dinner.
Sale items used: Pueblo Lindo Black Beans, Earthly Grains Instant White Rice, Happy Farms Taco Blend Shreds, Bagged Mini Avocados
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 cup cooked rice, half the can of black beans (about 3/4 cup), 1/3 cup shredded cheese, and 2 mini avocados. Save the other half can of beans for Thursday. Season with cumin, salt, and a squeeze of lime if you have it.
Recipes:
- Black Bean and Rice Bowls with Creamy Avocado Sauce
- Kale and Black Bean Burrito Bowl
- Brown Rice Black Bean Bowls with Tomatillo Salsa, Avocado, and Queso Fresco

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Cavatappi with Seasonal Harvest Sauce, Zucchini and Cheese
Description: Cavatappi is tossed with seasonal harvest sauce and sauteed zucchini, then topped with melted Italian blend cheese. Baked until bubbly, it makes a cozy single-serving casserole with leftovers possible.
Sale items used: Reggano Cavatappi, Specially Selected Seasonal Harvest Style Pasta Sauce, Organic Zucchini, Happy Farms Italian Blend Shreds
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use about 3 oz dry cavatappi (roughly 1/3 of the box), 1 cup sauce, 1 small zucchini (assume 0.4 lb), and 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Bake at 375F for 15 minutes in a small dish. Use the remaining sauce and cheese for lunches or the Friday plate.

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Fried Vegetable Potstickers with Rice
Description: Crisp-bottomed vegetable potstickers are served over fluffy instant rice for a fast takeout-style dinner. A simple soy and sesame dipping sauce ties it together.
Sale items used: Fusia Asian Inspirations Potstickers, Earthly Grains Instant White Rice
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Pan-fry about 8 potstickers (about half the bag), then steam with a splash of water. Serve with 1 cup cooked rice. Mix soy sauce and a little rice vinegar for dipping. Freeze or save the rest of the bag for another meal.
Recipes:
- Easy Vegetable Potstickers - Steamed or Pan-Fried
- Easy Vegetable Potstickers
- Crispy Vegetable Potstickers Recipe

Thursday
Meal: Indian-Spiced Black Bean Curry with Naan
Description: Remaining black beans simmer in Indian sauce with a little onion for a rich, spiced curry. Warm naan is perfect for scooping it up.
Sale items used: Pueblo Lindo Black Beans, Burman's Indian Sauce, Specially Selected Naan
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use the other half can of beans (about 3/4 cup), about 1/2 cup Indian sauce, and 1 naan piece (about half the package if 2 are included). Serve over leftover rice if you wish. Freeze the extra naan.
Recipes:
- Black Bean and Coconut Curry (under 25 minutes)
- Black Bean Curry | Curried Black Beans
- Black Bean Curry

Friday
Meal: Parmesan Apple and Pear Salad Plates with Garlic Bread
Description: Crisp sliced apple and pear are arranged on a plate and topped with shredded Parmesan and a few blackberries. Warm garlic bread rounds out this light, no-cook dinner.
Sale items used: Pennsylvania SnapDragon Apples, Washington Organic Pears, Emporium Parmesan Cheese Cup, L'oven Fresh Garlic Bread, Blackberries
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 apple (assume 0.4 lb), 1 pear (about 0.5 lb from the 2-lb pack), 2 tablespoons Parmesan, a handful of blackberries, and 2 slices of garlic bread baked at 400F for 8 minutes. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.

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

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Pueblo Lindo Black Beans (x1): $2.69
- Earthly Grains Instant White Rice (x1): $2.95
- Happy Farms Italian or Taco Blend Shreds (x1): $2.79
- Bagged Mini Avocados (x1 6-pack): $2.89
- Reggano Cavatappi (x1): $1.29
- Specially Selected Seasonal Harvest Style Pasta Sauce (x1): $3.99
- Organic Zucchini (0.5 lb): $1.20
- Fusia Asian Inspirations Potstickers (x1): $3.99
- Burman's Indian Sauce (x1): $3.99
- Specially Selected Naan (x1): $4.99
- Pennsylvania SnapDragon Apple Tote (1 lb): $0.99
- Washington Organic Pears (x1 2-lb pkg): $2.99
- Emporium Shredded Parmesan Cheese Cup (x1): $2.79
Check the label: many hard cheeses are set with animal rennet.
- L'oven Fresh Garlic Bread (x1): $3.49
- Blackberries (x1 6-oz pkg): $1.79

Pantry staples needed:
- Cumin, salt, pepper
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- Soy sauce, rice vinegar
- Lemon or lime
- Onion and garlic