ALDI Vegetarian Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

This flyer has no vegetarian meat or seafood items, so cheese is the only compliant protein sale item. Eggs, beans, lentils and tofu are not on sale, so the rest of the protein comes from pantry staples.

Why these meals: You'll get a lot of mileage out of a few ALDI sale items this week: the $1.75 Friendly Farms Sour Cream tops both Monday's chili and Thursday's baked potatoes, and the $4.39 Emporium Selection Italian Cheese Wedge is split between Tuesday's baked pasta and Thursday's potatoes. Fruit rounds out the sides, with Gala Apples on Tuesday and Friday, pears on Wednesday, red grapes on Thursday and golden kiwi on Friday. Wednesday's veggie fried rice leans on eggs and pantry staples for an easy 25-minute night, and Friday's lentil stew uses about half the $3.99 jug of Nature's Nectar Apple Cider, so you can drink the rest. Chili mixes vary, so check the label on Monday's package to make sure it's meat-free before it goes in your cart.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Hearty Soup Mix Chili with Sour Cream and Oyster Crackers
Description: A pot of Chef's Cupboard Hearty Soup or Chili Mix simmered with canned beans and topped with a dollop of Friendly Farms Sour Cream. Crushed Savoritz Oyster Crackers add crunch on top.
Sale items used: Chef's Cupboard Hearty Soup or Chili Mix, Friendly Farms Sour Cream, Savoritz Oyster Crackers
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: 1 package chili mix (check that the mix is meat-free before buying), 2 cans beans from pantry, about 1/2 of the sour cream container, 1 package oyster crackers.

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Italian Cheese Pasta with Half & Half Cream Sauce
Description: Pasta tossed in a quick sauce of Friendly Farms Half & Half and grated Emporium Selection Italian Cheese Wedge, then baked until bubbly. Served with sliced Gala Apples on the side.
Sale items used: Emporium Selection Italian Cheese Wedge, Friendly Farms Half & Half, New York Gala Apples
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: 1 lb pasta from pantry, 1 Italian Cheese Wedge (about half used here), 1 carton Half & Half, 2 apples.
Recipes:
- Creamy Vegetable Pasta

Wednesday
Meal: Veggie Fried Rice with Egg
Description: Day-old rice stir-fried in a hot pan with scrambled eggs and pantry vegetables, finished with soy sauce. Pears on the side make a fresh finish.
Sale items used: Washington Bartlett Pears
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 4 cups cooked rice, 6 eggs, 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables from pantry, 2 pears from the 3-lb bag.
Recipes:
- Egg & Veggie Fried Rice
- Vegetable Egg Fried Rice Recipe
- Easy Vegetable and Egg Fried Rice

Thursday
Meal: Cheesy Black Bean Baked Potatoes with Sour Cream
Description: Baked potatoes split and filled with warmed black beans, shredded Emporium Selection Italian Cheese Wedge and the remaining Friendly Farms Sour Cream. A side of Red Grapes adds sweetness.
Sale items used: Emporium Selection Italian Cheese Wedge, Friendly Farms Sour Cream, California Red Grapes
Prep time: 60 minutes
Serving note: 4 large potatoes, 1 can black beans, remaining cheese wedge, remaining sour cream, 1 lb grapes. Bake the potatoes ahead in the morning and reheat to save time.
Recipes:
- Black Bean and Corn Topped Potatoes
- Loaded Vegetarian Baked Sweet Potato
- Cheesy Potato and Black Bean Bake

Friday
Meal: Apple Cider Lentil Stew with Golden Kiwi Salad
Description: Lentils simmered in Nature's Nectar Apple Cider with onion and carrot for a lightly sweet, savory stew. Served with sliced Golden Kiwi and Gala Apples on the side.
Sale items used: Nature's Nectar Apple Cider, Golden Kiwi, New York Gala Apples
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 cups dry lentils, 2 cups cider (about half the jug, use the rest for drinking), 1 onion, 2 carrots, 1 lb Golden Kiwi, 2 apples from the remaining bag.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Chef's Cupboard Hearty Soup or Chili Mix (1 package): $3.29
- Friendly Farms Sour Cream (1 container): $1.75
- Savoritz Oyster Crackers (1 package): $1.59
- Emporium Selection Italian Cheese Wedge (1 wedge): $4.39
- Friendly Farms Half & Half (1 carton): $2.39
- New York Gala Apples (1 bag, 3 lbs): $1.99
- Washington Bartlett Pears (1 bag, 3 lbs): $2.99
- California Red Grapes (1 lb): $1.39
- Golden Kiwi (1 lb pkg): $3.79
- Nature's Nectar Apple Cider (1 jug): $3.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Pasta, rice, potatoes, dry lentils, canned beans (3 cans), eggs (6), onion, carrots, frozen mixed vegetables, soy sauce, cooking oil, salt, pepper