ALDI Vegetarian Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

This flyer has no meat or seafood, so beans and cheese carry the protein all week, and none of them is a premium cut.

Why these meals: Black beans anchor three nights of this plan, Monday's rice bowls, Thursday's curry and Friday's apple and pear plates, so the three cans on your list ($8.07 for all three) do a lot of work. One bag of Bagged Mini Avocados ($2.89) covers both Monday and Thursday, and 1.75 lb of Organic Zucchini ($4.18) stretches across Tuesday's baked cavatappi and Wednesday's potstickers. Instant rice shows up Monday and Wednesday, and the shreds are split between Monday and Tuesday, so you will use up what you buy rather than leave half a bag in the fridge. Friday's light, fruity dinner of apples, pears, Parmesan and blackberries gives you a fresh finish after a few hearty nights. Since fillings and ingredients vary, take a quick look at the labels on the potstickers, naan and Indian sauce to make sure they are vegetarian before they go in your cart.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Black Bean and Cheese Rice Bowls with Avocado
Description: Instant rice is topped with warm black beans, melted Happy Farms Italian or Taco Blend Shreds, and sliced mini avocados. It is a quick, hearty bowl with a creamy, savory finish.
Sale items used: Pueblo Lindo Black Beans, Earthly Grains Instant White Rice, Happy Farms Italian or Taco Blend Shreds, Bagged Mini Avocados
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 1 can black beans, 1 package instant rice, 1 package shreds (use about half), 3 mini avocados from the 6-pack. Save the rest of the shreds and avocados for later in the week.
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 Specially Selected Seasonal Harvest Style Pasta Sauce and sauteed zucchini, then topped with the remaining shreds and baked until bubbly. Serve with garlic bread on the side.
Sale items used: Reggano Cavatappi, Specially Selected Seasonal Harvest Style Pasta Sauce, Organic Zucchini, Happy Farms Italian or Taco Blend Shreds, L'oven Fresh Garlic or Parmesan Romano Bread
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: 1 box cavatappi (about 1 lb), 1 jar sauce, 1.0 lb zucchini, remaining half of the shreds, 1 loaf bread (choose the Garlic version, which is vegetarian).

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

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Fried Vegetable Potstickers with Rice
Description: Fusia Asian Inspirations Potstickers are pan-fried until crisp on the bottom, then steamed, and served over instant rice with sauteed zucchini. Check the package to confirm the filling is vegetable before buying, as fillings vary.
Sale items used: Fusia Asian Inspirations Potstickers, Earthly Grains Instant White Rice, Organic Zucchini
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1 package potstickers, 1 package instant rice, 0.75 lb zucchini. Total zucchini for the week is 1.75 lb across 2 nights.
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: Black beans simmer in Burman's Indian Sauce and are served with warm Specially Selected Original or Garlic Naan. Finish with a few slices of avocado for creaminess.
Sale items used: Pueblo Lindo Black Beans, Burman's Indian Sauce, Specially Selected Original or Garlic Naan, Bagged Mini Avocados
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1 can black beans, 1 jar sauce, 1 package naan, 3 remaining mini avocados. Confirm the naan and sauce are vegetarian on the label.
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: Thin slices of SnapDragon apples and Washington Organic Pears are topped with Emporium Selection Shredded Parmesan Cheese and served with toasted bread and warm black beans on the side. Finish with fresh blackberries for a light, fruity dinner.
Sale items used: Pennsylvania SnapDragon Apple Tote, Washington Organic Pears, Emporium Selection Shredded Parmesan Cheese Cup, Blackberries, Pueblo Lindo Black Beans, L'oven Fresh Garlic or Parmesan Romano Bread
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lb apples, 1 package pears (2 lb), 1 cup Parmesan, 1 package blackberries, 1 can black beans, 1 loaf bread (Garlic version).

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

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Pueblo Lindo Black Beans (x3): $8.07
- Earthly Grains Instant White Rice (x2): $5.90
- Happy Farms Italian or Taco Blend Shreds (x1): $2.79
- Bagged Mini Avocados (x1): $2.89
- Reggano Cavatappi (x1): $1.29
- Specially Selected Seasonal Harvest Style Pasta Sauce (x1): $3.99
- Organic Zucchini (1.75 lbs): $4.18
- L'oven Fresh Garlic or Parmesan Romano Bread (x2): $6.98
Check the label: many hard cheeses are set with animal rennet.
- Fusia Asian Inspirations Potstickers (x1): $3.99
- Burman's Indian Sauce (x1): $3.99
- Specially Selected Original or Garlic Naan (x1): $4.99
- Pennsylvania SnapDragon Apple Tote (1.5 lbs): $1.49
- Washington Organic Pears (x1 pkg): $2.99
- Emporium Selection Shredded Parmesan Cheese Cup (x1): $2.79
Check the label: many hard cheeses are set with animal rennet.
- Blackberries (x1 pkg): $1.79

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Cumin
- Soy sauce