Kroger Vegetarian Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: You'll get a lot of mileage out of a few Kroger sale buys this week. The 18-count Simple Truth eggs ($3.99) cover Tuesday's skillet eggs in Pace Picante Sauce and Friday's potato frittata, and the two packages of Sargento Cheese ($5.00) go into Monday's baked spaghetti squash and Wednesday's loaded russets. The 10 lb bag of Kroger Russet Potatoes ($5.00) is used on Wednesday and Friday, the bag of avocados ($3.99) is split between Tuesday and Wednesday, and one 5 lb squash buy ($7.45) gives you spaghetti squash on Monday and butternut on Thursday. Monday and Wednesday run a bit over an hour, so roast the squash a day ahead and microwave the potatoes before they go in the oven to keep those evenings easy.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Squash with Tomatoes and Sargento Cheese
Description: Spaghetti squash halves are roasted until tender, then the strands are tossed with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs. The filled shells are topped with Sargento Cheese and baked until bubbly, with sliced Honeycrisp apples on the side.
Sale items used: Butternut, Acorn or Spaghetti Squash, Nature Sweet Seasonal Medley Tomatoes, Sargento Cheese, Honeycrisp or Sugar Bee Apples or Bartlett Pears
Prep time: 65 minutes
Serving note: Use 3 lb spaghetti squash (choose spaghetti squash), half of the Nature Sweet Seasonal Medley Tomatoes container, 1 package of Sargento Cheese, and 1 lb Honeycrisp or Sugar Bee Apples or Bartlett Pears (choose Honeycrisp). Because this runs a little over 60 minutes, roast the squash halves up to a day ahead and just fill, top, and bake for 10 minutes on the night.
Recipes:
- Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Casserole (Vegetarian)
- Vegetarian Spaghetti Squash Casserole
- Baked Spaghetti Squash With Tomato Sauce

Tuesday
Meal: Skillet Eggs Poached in Pace Picante Sauce with Red Onion, Avocado and Stonefire Naan
Description: Red onion is softened in a skillet with cumin and garlic, then Pace Picante Sauce is added and 8 eggs are poached right in the simmering sauce. Serve it with sliced avocado and warm Stonefire Naan for scooping.
Sale items used: Simple Truth Cage-Free Brown Eggs (18 ct), Pace Salsa or Picante Sauce, Kroger Red Onions (3 lb Bag), Avocados (4 ct Bag), Stonefire Naan
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 8 eggs (2 per person), 1 jar Pace Picante Sauce, 2 red onions, 2 avocados, and both packages of Stonefire Naan. The remaining 10 eggs are saved for Friday.

Wednesday
Meal: Loaded Baked Russet Potatoes with Sargento Cheese, Tomatoes and Avocado
Description: Russet potatoes are baked until fluffy, split open, and loaded with melted Sargento Cheese. They are finished with chopped fresh tomatoes and diced avocado.
Sale items used: Kroger Russet Potatoes (10 lb Bag), Sargento Cheese, Nature Sweet Seasonal Medley Tomatoes, Avocados (4 ct Bag)
Prep time: 70 minutes
Serving note: Use 4 large russets (about 3 lb), 1 package of Sargento Cheese, the other half of the Nature Sweet Seasonal Medley Tomatoes container, and the remaining 2 avocados. Because this runs over 60 minutes, microwave the pierced potatoes for 8 minutes first, then finish them in a 425 F oven for 25 minutes. You can also bake them early in the day and reheat.
Recipes:
- Twice-Baked Avocado Potatoes

Thursday
Meal: Peanut Sauce Rice Bowls with Roasted Butternut Squash and Cucumber
Description: Cubed butternut squash is roasted until caramelized and served over microwaved Minute Rice cups. It is topped with a peanut sauce made from Skippy Peanut Butter, soy sauce, garlic, and rice vinegar, plus sliced cucumber and chopped Kroger Peanuts.
Sale items used: Butternut, Acorn or Spaghetti Squash, Minute Rice Microwave Cups, Skippy Peanut Butter or Planters Peanuts, Kroger Peanuts, Private Selection Mini Seedless Cucumbers or Snacking Tomatoes
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lb butternut squash (choose butternut), 4 Minute Rice Microwave Cups (1 per person), 1 jar Skippy Peanut Butter, 1 bag Kroger Peanuts, and 1 package of Private Selection Mini Seedless Cucumbers (choose cucumbers).
Recipes:
- Sheet Pan Chickpea Rice Bowl with Peanut Sauce
- Thai Peanut Butternut Squash Bowl
- Tofu, Butternut Squash and Brown Rice Buddha Bowls with Peanut Dressing

Friday
Meal: Potato and Red Onion Skillet Frittata with Sliced Honeycrisp Apples
Description: Thin russet potato slices and red onion are cooked in butter until golden, then 8 beaten eggs are poured over and the frittata is cooked in the skillet until set. It is served in wedges with crisp sliced apples on the side.
Sale items used: Simple Truth Cage-Free Brown Eggs (18 ct), Kroger Russet Potatoes (10 lb Bag), Kroger Red Onions (3 lb Bag), Honeycrisp or Sugar Bee Apples or Bartlett Pears
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: Use 8 eggs (2 per person), 2 lb russet potatoes, 2 red onions, and 1 lb Honeycrisp or Sugar Bee Apples or Bartlett Pears (choose Honeycrisp). Use a 12-inch skillet and cook the potatoes first.
Recipes:
- Potato and Onion Frittata
- Onion and potato frittata
- Warm Up with this Hearty Vegetarian Potato Frittata Recipe

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Butternut, Acorn or Spaghetti Squash (5 lbs): $7.45
- Nature Sweet Seasonal Medley Tomatoes (x1): $2.99
- Sargento Cheese (x2 packages): $5.00
- Honeycrisp or Sugar Bee Apples or Bartlett Pears (2 lbs): $2.98
- Simple Truth Cage-Free Brown Eggs (18 ct) (x1): $3.99
- Pace Salsa or Picante Sauce (x1 jar): $1.99
- Kroger Red Onions (3 lb Bag) (x1): $4.29
- Avocados (4 ct Bag) (x1): $3.99
- Stonefire Naan (x2 packages): $6.00
- Kroger Russet Potatoes (10 lb Bag) (x1): $5.00
- Minute Rice Microwave Cups (x4): $3.96
- Skippy Peanut Butter or Planters Peanuts (x1 jar of Skippy Peanut Butter): $1.99
- Kroger Peanuts (x1): $2.00
- Private Selection Mini Seedless Cucumbers or Snacking Tomatoes (x1): $2.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Butter
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic
- Ground cumin
- Dried Italian herbs
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Red pepper flakes