ALDI Vegetarian Meal Plan

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Black Bean and Avocado Rice Bowls with Orange-Dressed Grape Tomatoes
Description: Warm rice and seasoned black beans are topped with creamy sliced avocado and juicy grape tomatoes tossed in fresh orange juice. It is a bright, filling bowl sized for one, with a little lime and cumin for flavor.
Sale items used: Organic Avocados, Cherub Grape Tomatoes, California Navel Oranges
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1/2 cup uncooked rice (about 1 1/2 cups cooked), 1/2 can (about 3/4 cup) black beans, 1 avocado, 1 cup (about 5 oz) grape tomatoes, and the juice of 1/2 orange plus 1 teaspoon zest. Save the remaining avocados for snacks or toast and the remaining tomatoes for Friday.
Recipes:
- Black Bean and Rice Bowls with Creamy Avocado Sauce
- Black Bean Rice Bowl
- Avocado Black Bean Rice Bowl

Tuesday
Meal: Pumpkin and Red Lentil Stew
Description: Red lentils simmer with canned pumpkin, onion, garlic and warm spices into a thick, cozy stew. One pot makes a single hearty serving, plus a little extra to freeze if you like.
Sale items used: ALDI Canned Pumpkin
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 1/2 cup dry red lentils, 3/4 cup canned pumpkin (about 6 oz), 1/2 small onion, 1 clove garlic, 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth, and 1/2 teaspoon each cumin and curry powder. Freeze the leftover pumpkin in a small container for another use. Add a spoonful of yogurt on top if you have it.

Check the label: broth is often made from chicken or beef. Vegetable broth is the safe choice.

Recipes:
- Red Lentil and Pumpkin Stew [Vegan]
- Pumpkin Red Lentil Soup
- Lentil Pumpkin Stew (Healthy Fall Dinner)

Wednesday
Meal: Honeycrisp Apple, Caramelized Onion and Cheddar Quiche
Description: Sweet sliced Honeycrisp apple and slowly caramelized onion are baked with sharp cheddar in a flaky pie crust and egg custard. Serve one wedge warm and keep the rest for easy lunches.
Sale items used: New York Honeycrisp Apples, ALDI Deep Dish Pie Crusts
Prep time: 80 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pie crust (freeze any extra crusts in the pack), 1 medium onion, 1 Honeycrisp apple (about 6 oz), 3 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, and 3/4 cup shredded cheddar. Cut into 3 wedges and eat 1 today. Refrigerate the other 2 for lunches. Timing note: caramelize the onions (about 25 minutes) the day before, and the quiche then needs only about 10 minutes of assembly and 40 minutes in a 375 degree oven.
Recipes:
- Apple Maple, Onion & Cheddar Quiche
- Apple, Cheddar, and Caramelized Onion Galette
- Caramelized Onion Quiche

Thursday
Meal: Brown Butter Pasta with Pear, Walnuts and Parmesan
Description: Nutty brown butter coats al dente pasta with thin slices of ripe pear, toasted walnuts and a generous snow of Parmesan. It is a quick, elegant bowl of pasta for one.
Sale items used: Washington Organic Pears, Southern Grove Chopped Walnuts
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 3 oz dry pasta (about 1 cup of short shapes), 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, 1 pear (about 6 oz), 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, and a pinch of black pepper. Snack on the second pear or save the other for oatmeal.

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

Recipes:
- Gorgonzola and Pear Agnolotti with Sage & Walnut Brown Butter Sauce

Friday
Meal: Pomegranate Chickpea Bulgur Salad with Pecans, Orange and Feta
Description: Chewy bulgur is tossed with chickpeas, ruby pomegranate seeds, orange segments, toasted pecans and tangy feta. A simple orange vinaigrette ties together a fresh, make-ahead salad for one.
Sale items used: California Pomegranates, Southern Grove Pecan Halves, California Navel Oranges, Cherub Grape Tomatoes
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1/3 cup dry bulgur (about 1 cup cooked), 1/2 cup canned chickpeas, 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds (from 1 pomegranate), 1 orange (segmented, plus a squeeze of juice for dressing), 2 tablespoons pecans, 2 tablespoons crumbled feta, and a handful of leftover grape tomatoes. Eat the remaining pomegranate seeds as a snack.
Recipes:
- Bulgur and Chickpea Salad with Pomegranate Seeds
- Mediterranean Bulgur Salad with Bulgur Wheat, Feta, Blood Orange, and Pomegranate Seeds
- Pomegranate, Feta and Chickpea Salad

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Organic Avocados (x1 4-pack): $2.99
- California Navel Oranges (x1 4-lb bag): $2.69
- Cherub Grape Tomatoes (x1 10-oz pkg.): $1.99
- ALDI Canned Pumpkin (x1 can): $1.59
- New York Honeycrisp Apples (x1 2-lb bag): $1.99
- ALDI Deep Dish Pie Crusts (x1 pack): $2.49
- Washington Organic Pears (x1 2-lb pkg.): $3.49
- Southern Grove Chopped Walnuts (x1 bag): $2.79
- California Pomegranates (x1): $1.29
- Southern Grove Pecan Halves (x1 bag): $5.29

Pantry staples needed:
- Not on sale, pick up at regular price if you do not already have them: rice, canned black beans, canned chickpeas, red lentils, bulgur, short pasta, onions, garlic, eggs, milk, butter, shredded sharp cheddar, Parmesan, feta, vegetable broth
- Basics: olive oil, salt, black pepper, cumin, curry powder, lime or lime juice, red wine or white wine vinegar