ALDI Vegetarian Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

There are no meat or seafood items on this flyer, so this ranks the vegetarian-friendly cheese proteins, each priced for about 6 oz total (roughly 1.5 oz per person).

Why these meals: This week's plan is all vegetarian and built around ALDI's sale fruit and cheese, so you'll want to grab those first. The Gala apples ($1.99), Bartlett pears ($2.99), and grapes ($6.89) are each split between a midweek dinner and Friday's cheese board, so nothing in the produce bags goes to waste. The Aged Reserved White Cheddar ($2.69) and the French green beans ($2.89) are likewise each divided between Monday's frittata and Thursday's baked mac. Eggs open the week in that frittata and come back as hard-boiled eggs on Friday's board, while lentils on Tuesday and cannellini beans with goat cheese on Wednesday cover your protein in between.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Green Bean and Aged White Cheddar Frittata with Scalloped Crackers
Description: Eggs are whisked with sauteed French green beans and sharp white cheddar, then set on the stovetop and finished under the broiler until golden. Scalloped crackers on the side add crunch for a quick, hearty start to the week.
Sale items used: French Green Beans (1-lb pkg), Emporium Selection Aged Reserved White Cheddar, 10 oz, Specially Selected Scalloped Crackers, 6.5 oz
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 8 oz of the French Green Beans (half the 1-lb pkg), 5 oz of the Aged Reserved White Cheddar (half the 10 oz), 8 eggs, 1 diced onion, and the whole 6.5 oz pack of Scalloped Crackers. Cut the beans into 1-inch pieces and cook them 5 minutes before adding the eggs.
Recipes:
- Green Bean Frittata
- Low FODMAP Roast Veggie & Green Bean Frittata
- Easy Veggie Frittata

Tuesday
Meal: Spiced Lentil and Gala Apple Stew with Chutney over Rice
Description: Brown or green lentils simmer with onion, curry powder, and diced Gala apples until tender, then get a spoonful of chutney for sweet-tangy depth. It is served over steamed rice with Italian breadsticks for dipping.
Sale items used: New York Gala Apples (3-lb bag), Specially Selected Assorted Chutney, 9.88 oz, Specially Selected Italian Breadsticks, 4.4 oz
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Gala Apples (about 4 apples, half the 3-lb bag), half the jar of Assorted Chutney (about 5 oz), and the whole 4.4 oz pack of Italian Breadsticks. Also 12 oz dry lentils, 1.5 cups dry rice, 1 onion, and 2 tbsp curry powder. Save the other half of the chutney and the remaining apples for Friday.
Recipes:
- Spiced Apple Lentil Stew
- Curried Lentil, Squash and Apple Stew
- Spiced Lentil Stew

Wednesday
Meal: Warm White Bean, Pear, and Goat Cheese Salad with Fruit Spread Vinaigrette
Description: Canned cannellini beans are warmed in a skillet and tossed over greens with sliced Bartlett pears, halved grapes, and crumbled goat cheese. The dressing is whisked from fig or sour cherry fruit spread, olive oil, and vinegar.
Sale items used: Washington Bartlett Pears (3-lb bag), California Perfect Pairing Grapes, Specially Selected (3-lb pkg), Emporium Selection Goat Cheese Log, 4 oz, Specially Selected Fig or Sour Cherry Fruit Spread, 9 oz
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Bartlett Pears (about 4 pears, half the bag), 1 lb of the Grapes (one third of the 3-lb pkg), the whole 4 oz Goat Cheese Log, and 3 tbsp of the Fruit Spread. Also 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, 2 large bags (about 10 oz total) of mixed salad greens, and 1/4 cup olive oil. Save the rest of the fruit spread, grapes, and pears for Friday.
Recipes:
- Goat Cheese & Pear Salad Recipe
- Roasted Pear Salad with Warm Goat Cheese and Glazed Pecans
- Warm Goat Cheese Salad With Pear

Thursday
Meal: Baked Gouda or Edam and White Cheddar Macaroni with Garlic Green Beans
Description: Elbow macaroni is folded into a cheese sauce made with a Gouda or Edam wedge and aged white cheddar, topped with breadcrumbs, and baked until bubbly. French green beans are sauteed with garlic as a bright side.
Sale items used: Emporium Selection Gouda or Edam Wedge, 7 oz, Emporium Selection Aged Reserved White Cheddar, 10 oz, French Green Beans (1-lb pkg)
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 Gouda or Edam Wedge (7 oz), the remaining 5 oz of the Aged Reserved White Cheddar, and the remaining 8 oz of the French Green Beans. Also 12 oz elbow macaroni, 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp flour, 2 cups milk, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, and 3 cloves garlic. Grate the cheeses while the pasta boils.
Recipes:
- Gouda Mac and Cheese
- Gouda Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Friday
Meal: Cheese and Cracker Dinner Board with Hard-Boiled Eggs, Fresh Fruit, and Chutney
Description: A no-cook-fuss board pairs Cranberry White Cheddar and a Gouda or Edam wedge with hard-boiled eggs, crackers, grapes, pears, and apple slices. Chutney and fruit spread add sweet and tangy dips, and almonds round out the protein.
Sale items used: Emporium Selection Cranberry White Cheddar, 8 oz, Emporium Selection Gouda or Edam Wedge, 7 oz, Specially Selected Entertainment Cracker Assortment, 13.2 oz, California Perfect Pairing Grapes, Specially Selected (3-lb pkg), Washington Bartlett Pears (3-lb bag), New York Gala Apples (3-lb bag), Specially Selected Assorted Chutney, 9.88 oz, Specially Selected Fig or Sour Cherry Fruit Spread, 9 oz
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use the whole 8 oz Cranberry White Cheddar, 1 Gouda or Edam Wedge (7 oz), the whole 13.2 oz Entertainment Cracker Assortment, the remaining 2 lbs of Grapes, the remaining 1.5 lbs of Bartlett Pears (about 4 pears), the remaining 1.5 lbs of Gala Apples (about 4 apples), the remaining half jar of Chutney, and the remaining Fruit Spread. Also 4 hard-boiled eggs (one per person) and 1 cup roasted almonds. Boil the eggs for 10 minutes, then cool them in ice water.
Recipes:
- Anything-Goes Breakfast Cheese Board
- Brunch Charcuterie Board Recipe
- How to Construct the Perfect Cheese Board

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- New York Gala Apples (3-lb bag) (x1): $1.99
- Washington Bartlett Pears (3-lb bag) (x1): $2.99
- French Green Beans (1-lb pkg) (x1): $2.89
- California Perfect Pairing Grapes, Specially Selected (3-lb pkg) (x1): $6.89
- Emporium Selection Aged Reserved White Cheddar, 10 oz (x1): $2.69
- Emporium Selection Cranberry White Cheddar, 8 oz (x1): $2.99
- Emporium Selection Goat Cheese Log, 4 oz (x1): $1.99
- Emporium Selection Gouda or Edam Wedge, 7 oz (x2): $5.98
- Specially Selected Assorted Chutney, 9.88 oz (x1): $2.99
- Specially Selected Fig or Sour Cherry Fruit Spread, 9 oz (x1): $2.99
- Specially Selected Entertainment Cracker Assortment, 13.2 oz (x1): $4.99
- Specially Selected Scalloped Crackers, 6.5 oz (x1): $1.99
- Specially Selected Italian Breadsticks, 4.4 oz (x1): $1.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Eggs (1 dozen)
- Dry brown or green lentils (12 oz)
- Cannellini beans (2 cans, 15 oz each)
- Long-grain rice (1.5 cups dry)
- Elbow macaroni (12 oz)
- Milk (2 cups), butter, all-purpose flour, breadcrumbs
- Mixed salad greens (about 10 oz)
- Roasted almonds (1 cup)
- Yellow onions (2), garlic
- Olive oil, vinegar, curry powder, salt, black pepper