Giant Vegetarian Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: Eggs are the backbone of this week's plan, appearing twice in different formats - a skillet frittata and a baked egg dish - and costing well under $2 per serving each time. MorningStar Farms is the standout deal at $4.00 a package when you buy three, and a large-format package stretches easily across four plates as a burger-style dinner. The Carbone pasta sauce at $2.49 and Prego at $1.99 let you build a hearty pasta night for almost nothing beyond pantry staples. Sweet potatoes at $2.99 for a 3 lb. bag and the Nature's Promise Organic Green Beans at $2.99 anchor the vegetable sides all week without repeating. The Taco Bell Taco Shells Kit at $2.99 rounds out a bean taco night that keeps the week varied and flavorful without pushing costs up.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Skillet Vegetable Frittata with Sweet Corn and Grape Tomatoes
Description: Eggs are whisked with salt and pepper, then poured over sauteed sweet corn cut from the cob and halved grape tomatoes, and the skillet is finished under the broiler until puffed and golden. Each wedge is topped with a dollop of FAGE Sour Cream for richness.
Sale items used: Giant Grade A Large White Eggs 18 ct. ctn, Giant Tray Pack Sweet Corn 5 ct. tray, Nature's Promise Salad Blend or Giant Mini Cucumbers or Grape Tomatoes, FAGE Sour Cream
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 10 eggs total from one 18 ct. carton, 3 ears of sweet corn (cut from cob) from one 5 ct. tray, 1 package grape tomatoes, and 1 container FAGE Sour Cream for topping. Serve with a simple green salad on the side.
Recipes:
- Heirloom Tomato and Corn Frittata

Tuesday
Meal: Carbone Pasta Sauce Penne with Broccoli Florets and Parmesan
Description: Penne pasta is boiled until tender, tossed with warmed Carbone Pasta Sauce, and folded together with steamed Nature's Promise Organic Broccoli Florets for a hearty, saucy one-pot dinner. Finish with a generous handful of shredded Parmesan from the pantry and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Sale items used: Carbone Alfredo or Pasta Sauce, Nature's Promise Organic Green Beans, Vegetable Medley or Broccoli Florets 10 oz. bag
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 jar Carbone Pasta Sauce and 1 bag Nature's Promise Organic Broccoli Florets (10 oz.) for 4 people; cook 12 oz. of penne from the pantry. One jar of sauce is sufficient for a full pound of pasta if you prefer a lighter coat, or use 12 oz. pasta for a saucier result.

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

Recipes:
- Penne With Broccoli
- Broccoli Pasta

Wednesday
Meal: Bean and Cheese Tacos with Salad Blend Slaw
Description: Canned black beans from the pantry are seasoned with cumin and garlic, warmed through, and loaded into taco shells from the Taco Bell Taco Shells Kit alongside shredded cheese and a quick slaw made from Nature's Promise Salad Blend. A squeeze of Frank's RedHot Sauce and a spoonful of FAGE Sour Cream finish each taco.
Sale items used: Taco Bell Taco Shells Kit, Nature's Promise Salad Blend or Giant Mini Cucumbers or Grape Tomatoes, Frank's RedHot Sauce 12 oz. btl., FAGE Sour Cream
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 Taco Bell Taco Shells Kit (shells only; seasoning packet is optional for vegetarian use - check label and skip if it contains meat-based flavoring), 1 package Nature's Promise Salad Blend for slaw, 1 bottle Frank's RedHot Sauce, and 1 container FAGE Sour Cream. Supplement with 2 cans of black beans and shredded cheese from the pantry.
Recipes:
- Crispy Black Bean Tacos With Feta & Cabbage Slaw
- Vegetarian Taco Salad Recipe
- Black Bean Taco Salad with Creamy Salsa Dressing

Thursday
Meal: MorningStar Farms Veggie Burgers on Panini Bread with Sweet Corn and Hot House Cucumber Salad
Description: MorningStar Farms Burgers are cooked in a skillet until heated through and lightly crisped, then served on toasted Giant Sliced Panini Bread with lettuce, tomato, and Hellmann's Mayonnaise. A side salad of sliced Hot House Cucumber with a splash of vinegar and salt keeps the plate fresh and light.
Sale items used: MorningStar Farms Breakfast, Burgers or Entrees 52.5-105 oz. pkg., Giant Sliced Panini Bread 16-17 oz. loaf, Hellmann's Mayonnaise or Enchilada Sauce, Hot House Cucumbers, Giant Tray Pack Sweet Corn 5 ct. tray
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 3 packages of MorningStar Farms to unlock the Buy 3 for $4.00 deal; use 1 package for this meal (4 burgers for 4 people) and store the remaining 2 packages in the freezer. Use 1 loaf Giant Sliced Panini Bread, 1 jar Hellmann's Mayonnaise, 1 Hot House Cucumber sliced thin, and 2 remaining ears of sweet corn from the 5 ct. tray (boiled or grilled on a stovetop grill pan).

Friday
Meal: Baked Egg and Sweet Potato Hash with Green Beans
Description: Diced Nature's Promise Organic Sweet Potatoes are roasted in the oven with olive oil and smoked paprika until tender and caramelized, then wells are made in the pan and eggs are cracked in and baked until just set. Nature's Promise Organic Green Beans are steamed alongside and served as a simple side.
Sale items used: Nature's Promise Organic Sweet Potatoes US No. 1, 3 lb. bag, Pete & Gerry's Grade A Organic Brown Eggs 12 ct. ctn, Nature's Promise Organic Green Beans, Vegetable Medley or Broccoli Florets 10 oz. bag, Bertolli Olive Oil 1-12 oz. bag
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Use the full 3 lb. bag of Nature's Promise Organic Sweet Potatoes (diced), 8 eggs from one 12 ct. carton of Pete & Gerry's eggs, 1 bag Nature's Promise Organic Green Beans (10 oz.), and 1 bottle Bertolli Olive Oil (a small amount used; remainder kept for the week). Roast sweet potatoes at 400 degrees F for 25-30 minutes before adding eggs and baking an additional 10-12 minutes.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Giant Grade A Large White Eggs 18 ct. ctn (x1): $2.99
- Giant Tray Pack Sweet Corn 5 ct. tray (x1): $3.99
- Nature's Promise Salad Blend or Giant Mini Cucumbers or Grape Tomatoes - Grape Tomatoes (x1): $2.99
- Nature's Promise Salad Blend or Giant Mini Cucumbers or Grape Tomatoes - Salad Blend (x1): $2.99
- FAGE Sour Cream (x2): $7.98
- Carbone Alfredo or Pasta Sauce (x1): $2.49
- Nature's Promise Organic Green Beans, Vegetable Medley or Broccoli Florets 10 oz. bag - Broccoli Florets (x1): $2.99
- Nature's Promise Organic Green Beans, Vegetable Medley or Broccoli Florets 10 oz. bag - Green Beans (x1): $2.99
- Taco Bell Taco Shells Kit (x1): $2.99
- Frank's RedHot Sauce 12 oz. btl. (x1): $2.49
- MorningStar Farms Breakfast, Burgers or Entrees 52.5-105 oz. pkg. (x3, Buy 3 for $4.00 each): $12.00
- Giant Sliced Panini Bread 16-17 oz. loaf (x1): $3.99
- Hellmann's Mayonnaise or Enchilada Sauce - Mayonnaise (x1): $3.99
- Hot House Cucumbers (x1): $1.99
- Nature's Promise Organic Sweet Potatoes US No. 1, 3 lb. bag (x1): $2.99
- Pete & Gerry's Grade A Organic Brown Eggs 12 ct. ctn (x1): $4.99
- Bertolli Olive Oil 1-12 oz. bag (x1): $4.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Penne pasta (12 oz.)
- Canned black beans (2 cans)
- Shredded cheese (for tacos and frittata)
- Shredded Parmesan (for pasta)
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil (supplemental if Bertolli bottle runs low)
- White or apple cider vinegar (for cucumber salad)
- Burger condiments (ketchup, mustard) as desired