Kroger Vegetarian Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Simple Truth Cage-Free Eggs, 24 ct: $4.99/pack - roughly $1.25 per serving of 4 people (6 eggs per serving)
- Kroger Cottage Cheese, 24 oz: 2 for $5.00 ($2.50 each) - roughly $2.50 per serving of 4 people (one 24 oz tub)
- Morningstar Farms Entree, 5.25-12 oz: $3.99/ea - roughly $3.99 per serving of 4 people (one package)
- Kraft Shredded Cheese (used as protein support with eggs/beans): 2 for $5.00 ($2.50 each) - supporting role only
- Impossible Frozen Entree, 10-14 oz: $4.99/ea - roughly $4.99 per serving of 4 people (one package, supporting 4 as a component)

Why these meals: Eggs are the standout value this week at $4.99 for 24 cage-free eggs, giving you a hearty frittata night for well under $2 in protein. Morningstar Farms at $3.99 and the Impossible Frozen Entree at $4.99 add variety without stretching the budget, and the Prego pasta sauce at just $1.59 makes a pasta night extremely affordable when paired with sale Kroger pasta at 4 for $5.00. The Impossible Frozen Entree earns the one premium spot this week since it is the priciest protein per serving among the options chosen, though it is still a very reasonable $4.99. Hatch chile peppers at $1.49/lb and Hatch sweet onions at $3.99 for 3 lbs are exceptional produce deals that show up across multiple meals to keep costs low, and the 2 for $5.00 cottage cheese deal doubles as both a protein source and a creamy sauce base.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Skillet Egg and Hatch Chile Frittata with Sargento Cheese
Description: Beaten eggs are poured over sauteed Hatch chile peppers and Hatch sweet onions in an oven-safe skillet, then finished under the broiler until puffed and set. Sargento cheese slices are layered on top in the final minute for a melted, golden finish.
Sale items used: Simple Truth Cage-Free Eggs (24 ct), Hatch Chile Peppers, Hatch Sweet Onions (3 lb bag), Sargento Cheese Slices (8-20 ct)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 8 eggs total for 4 people (2 eggs per person). Use approximately 0.5 lb Hatch chile peppers and roughly 0.5 lb (about 1/4 of the 3 lb bag) of Hatch sweet onions. Use 4 Sargento cheese slices from 1 package. One pack of Sargento Cheese Slices is sufficient; remaining slices carry over to Thursday.
Recipes:
- Vegetable Frittata Recipe with Hatch Green Chile

Tuesday
Meal: Prego Marinara Pasta with Kroger Steamer Vegetables and Kraft Shredded Cheese
Description: Kroger pasta is boiled and tossed with Prego pasta sauce warmed in a saucepan, then topped with steamed Kroger Steamer Vegetables for a complete one-bowl dinner. Kraft shredded cheese is scattered over each bowl just before serving for richness.
Sale items used: Kroger Pasta (Select Varieties, 12-16 oz), Prego Pasta Sauce (14.5-24 oz), Kroger Steamer Vegetables (10-12 oz), Kraft Shredded Cheese (7-8 oz)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package (12-16 oz) Kroger pasta for 4 people, 1 jar Prego pasta sauce, 1 bag Kroger Steamer Vegetables (microwaved per package directions), and 1 package Kraft Shredded Cheese (use about half the bag, roughly 3.5-4 oz, and save the rest for Friday).
Recipes:
- Garden Veggie Marinara Recipe by Tasty
- Garden Veggie Marinara Pasta

Wednesday
Meal: Morningstar Farms Entree Tacos with Hatch Chile Peppers and Cottage Cheese Crema
Description: A Morningstar Farms Entree is heated and served in a taco-style build with sauteed Hatch chile peppers and Hatch sweet onions, topped with a spoonful of Kroger cottage cheese thinned with a little lime juice as a creamy crema. This is a bold, satisfying taco night with a smoky chile backbone and a cool, tangy topping.
Sale items used: Morningstar Farms Entree (5.25-12 oz), Hatch Chile Peppers, Hatch Sweet Onions (3 lb bag), Kroger Cottage Cheese (24 oz)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package Morningstar Farms Entree for 4 people (check package for serving count and supplement with extra toppings as needed). Use approximately 0.5 lb Hatch chile peppers and roughly 0.5 lb Hatch sweet onions. Use 1 tub (24 oz) Kroger Cottage Cheese as the crema base; the second tub from the 2 for $5.00 deal carries over to snacking or breakfast. Serve in pantry tortillas or over rice.

Thursday
Meal: Impossible Frozen Entree Bowl with Kroger Steamer Vegetables and Sargento Cheese
Description: An Impossible Frozen Entree is prepared according to package directions and served over a base of steamed Kroger Steamer Vegetables for a hearty, protein-forward bowl. Remaining Sargento cheese slices are melted over the top for extra richness and to tie the bowl together.
Sale items used: Impossible Frozen Entree (10-14 oz), Kroger Steamer Vegetables (10-12 oz), Sargento Cheese Slices (8-20 ct)
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package Impossible Frozen Entree for 4 people. Use 1 bag Kroger Steamer Vegetables. Use 4 remaining Sargento cheese slices from the pack opened Monday. This is the premium night; the Impossible Entree is the highest per-serving protein cost of the week at $4.99 per package.

Friday
Meal: Baked Egg and Kraft Shredded Cheese Stuffed Gourmet Potatoes
Description: Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes are halved and roasted in the oven until tender, then each half is topped with a cracked egg and remaining Kraft shredded cheese and returned to the oven until the egg whites are just set. The result is a satisfying, hearty stuffed potato dinner with a creamy yolk and melted cheese on every bite.
Sale items used: Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes 1.5 lb (from the 2 for $7.00 deal with Sweet Corn), Simple Truth Cage-Free Eggs (24 ct), Kraft Shredded Cheese (7-8 oz)
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 bag (1.5 lb) Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes for 4 people (roughly 2-3 small potatoes per person depending on size). Use 4 eggs total (1 per stuffed potato half or whole potato). Use the remaining Kraft Shredded Cheese (approximately 3.5-4 oz) from Tuesday. The 2 for $7.00 deal requires buying a second unit; pair with Kroger Sweet Corn 4 ct as a side dish this night or save for the weekend. Total oven time is approximately 45-50 minutes; start potatoes early and crack eggs on in the final 12-15 minutes.
Recipes:
- Idaho Sunrise: Egg-Stuffed Baked Potatoes

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Simple Truth Cage-Free Eggs, 24 ct (x1 pack): $4.99
- Hatch Chile Peppers (1 lb total): $1.49
- Hatch Sweet Onions, 3 lb bag (x1 bag): $3.99
- Sargento Cheese Slices, 8-20 ct (x1 pack, part of 2 for $5.00 - must buy 2): $5.00
- Kroger Pasta, 12-16 oz (x1 package, part of 4 for $5.00 - must buy 4): $5.00
- Prego Pasta Sauce, 14.5-24 oz (x1 jar): $1.59
- Kroger Steamer Vegetables, 10-12 oz (x2 bags, 2 for $3.00): $3.00
- Kraft Shredded Cheese, 7-8 oz (x1 package, part of 2 for $5.00 - must buy 2): $5.00
- Morningstar Farms Entree, 5.25-12 oz (x1 package): $3.99
- Kroger Cottage Cheese, 24 oz (x2 tubs, 2 for $5.00): $5.00
- Impossible Frozen Entree, 10-14 oz (x1 package): $4.99
- Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes 1.5 lb and Kroger Sweet Corn 4 ct (2 for $7.00 deal, 1 of each): $7.00

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or cooking oil (for sauteing chiles and onions)
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Tortillas or wraps (for Wednesday taco night)
- Rice or grain base (optional, for Wednesday bowl)
- Lime (for cottage cheese crema on Wednesday)
- Cumin and chili powder (for Wednesday taco seasoning)