Lidl Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Butcher's Specialty fresh bone-in chicken thighs: $0.99/lb - about 2.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$2.48 total, ~$0.62/serving
- Dulano chicken sausage: $1.99/pack - 1 pack for 4 people = $1.99 total, ~$0.50/serving (very low cost, ranked here as a flavor-supporting protein rather than a standalone main)
- Butterball fresh ground turkey, 85% lean: $3.99/pack - 1 pack for 4 people = $3.99 total, ~$1.00/serving
- Butcher's Specialty fresh boneless country style ribs: $2.99/pack - assume 1 pack (~1.5-2 lbs) for 4 people = $2.99 total, ~$0.75/serving
- Butcher's Specialty fresh organic ground beef, 90% lean: $6.49/pack - 1 pack for 4 people = $6.49 total, ~$1.62/serving
- Ocean Sea frozen wild caught pacific whiting: $5.99/pack - 1 pack for 4 people = $5.99 total, ~$1.50/serving
- Eridanous frozen mussel meat: $4.99/pack - 1 pack for 4 people = $4.99 total, ~$1.25/serving
- Fresh sea scallops & shrimp: $8.99/pack - 1 pack for 4 people = $8.99 total, ~$2.25/serving (premium)
- Eridanous frozen octopus tentacles: $12.99/pack - ~$3.25/serving (premium, skipped)
- Eridanous frozen Indian squid: $8.99/pack - ~$2.25/serving (premium, skipped in favor of better value)
- Eridanous frozen raw jumbo squid rings: $8.99/pack - ~$2.25/serving (premium, skipped)

Why these meals: Bone-in chicken thighs at $0.99/lb are the star of this week - they are genuinely one of the cheapest proteins at the store, and braising them with orzo and Greek tomato sauce turns them into a deeply satisfying one-pot dinner for well under $3 in protein cost. Ground turkey at $3.99 and boneless country style ribs at $2.99 anchor two more economical nights, keeping the everyday protein spend low. The Lidl Preferred Selection fresh stuffed pasta at $2.49 gives a meatless night that is fast, filling, and a great value when dressed up with the sale passata and shredded Parmesan. The single premium night goes to fresh sea scallops & shrimp at $8.99 - it is the most approachable premium price on the flyer compared to the $12.99 octopus or the multiple $8.99 squid options, and a quick pan-sear over orzo makes it feel like a restaurant meal at home. The Eridanous orzo at $1.09 and Combino thin spaghetti at $0.98 do a lot of heavy lifting as low-cost carb bases throughout the week, helping keep the total comfortably within range.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Braised Bone-In Chicken Thighs with Orzo in Greek Tomato Sauce
Description: Bone-in chicken thighs are browned in a pot, then simmered in Greek tomato sauce with Vidalia onion until the meat is cooked through and the orzo absorbs all the savory braising liquid. A crumble of feta cheese on top and a handful of pitted green olives on the side round out the Mediterranean flavors.
Sale items used: Butcher's Specialty fresh bone-in chicken thighs, Eridanous orzo pasta, Eridanous Greek tomato sauce, Vidalia onions, Eridanous barrel aged feta cheese in brine, Eridanous pitted green olives in brine
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 2.5 lbs of bone-in chicken thighs (about 6-7 pieces for 4 people). One pack of Eridanous orzo pasta and one jar of Eridanous Greek tomato sauce. Use about one-quarter of the 3 lb bag of Vidalia onions (roughly 1 medium onion). Crumble about 2 oz of feta from the block over the finished dish and serve olives on the side.
Recipes:
- One Pot Chicken and Orzo

Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Ground Turkey and Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Garlic Sauce
Description: Lean ground turkey is broken up and browned in a skillet with crushed red pepper and diced Vidalia onion, then tossed with thin spaghetti and tomato, basil & garlic pasta sauce for a quick weeknight dinner. Shredded Parmesan is scattered over each bowl for a savory finish.
Sale items used: Butterball fresh ground turkey 85% lean, Combino thin spaghetti, Tomato, basil & garlic pasta sauce, Vidalia onions, Shredded Parmesan cheese, Crushed red pepper
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use the full 1 lb pack of Butterball fresh ground turkey. One pack of Combino thin spaghetti (cook the full pack for 4 generous servings). One jar of tomato, basil & garlic pasta sauce. Use about one-quarter of the Vidalia onion bag (1 medium onion). Top each bowl with a tablespoon of shredded Parmesan.
Recipes:
- Tomato Basil Turkey Spaghetti
- Ground Turkey Pasta with Tomato Garlic Sauce

Wednesday
Meal: Skillet-Seared Boneless Country Style Ribs with Ore-Ida Potatoes and Marinated Roasted Red Peppers
Description: Boneless country style ribs are seasoned and seared in a hot skillet until browned and cooked through, then rested while Ore-Ida potatoes crisp up in the oven alongside. Eridanous marinated roasted red peppers are served as a bright, tangy side that cuts through the richness of the pork.
Sale items used: Butcher's Specialty fresh boneless country style ribs, Ore-Ida frozen potatoes, Eridanous marinated roasted red peppers
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pack of boneless country style ribs (approximately 1.5 lbs, enough for 4 people with sides). Use 1 bag of Ore-Ida frozen potatoes prepared according to package directions. Serve the full jar of Eridanous marinated roasted red peppers family-style at the table.

Thursday
Meal: Fresh Stuffed Pasta Tossed with Passata, Feta, and Artichoke-Olive Topping
Description: Lidl Preferred Selection fresh stuffed pasta is boiled and tossed in warm passata with a drizzle of olive oil spray, then topped with crumbled feta and a spoonful of Eridanous artichoke quarters with Kalamon olives and capers in oil for a briny, layered vegetarian dinner. Eridanous wheat flour breadsticks on the side make it a complete and satisfying meal.
Sale items used: Lidl Preferred Selection fresh stuffed pasta, Lidl Preferred Selection passata, Eridanous barrel aged feta cheese in brine, Eridanous artichoke quarters with Kalamon olives and capers in oil, Eridanous extra virgin olive oil spray, Eridanous wheat flour breadsticks
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 packs of Lidl Preferred Selection fresh stuffed pasta to feed 4 people as a main. Use 1 jar of Lidl Preferred Selection passata, warmed in a saucepan. Crumble about 2 oz of feta over the finished bowls. Spoon the full jar of artichoke quarters with olives and capers over the top. Serve with 1 pack of Eridanous wheat flour breadsticks.

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Fresh Sea Scallops and Shrimp over Orzo with Capers and Spring Mix Salad
Description: Fresh sea scallops and shrimp are patted dry and seared in a hot skillet until golden, then served over a simple orzo base with capers and a squeeze of lemon for brightness. A side salad of organic spring mix with sliced avocado and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar makes this feel like a proper Friday celebration dinner.
Sale items used: Fresh sea scallops & shrimp, Eridanous orzo pasta, Eridanous capers, Organic spring mix, Avocados, Lidl Preferred Selection aged balsamic vinegar of Modena, Eridanous extra virgin olive oil spray
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use the full pack of fresh sea scallops & shrimp (approximately 1 lb total for 4 people as a main). Cook 1 pack of Eridanous orzo pasta as the base. Use 1 jar of Eridanous capers, adding about 1 tablespoon per plate. Use the full bag of organic spring mix and all 4 avocados from the pack, sliced. Drizzle the salad with Lidl Preferred Selection aged balsamic vinegar of Modena.
Recipes:
- Pan-Seared Scallops with Orzo Piccata

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Butcher's Specialty fresh bone-in chicken thighs (2.5 lbs): $2.48
- Butterball fresh ground turkey, 85% lean (x1 pack): $3.99
- Butcher's Specialty fresh boneless country style ribs (x1 pack): $2.99
- Fresh sea scallops & shrimp (x1 pack): $8.99
- Eridanous orzo pasta (x2 packs): $2.18
- Combino thin spaghetti (x1 pack): $0.98
- Eridanous Greek tomato sauce (x1 jar): $2.29
- Tomato, basil & garlic pasta sauce (x1 jar): $1.69
- Lidl Preferred Selection passata (x1 jar): $3.39
- Lidl Preferred Selection fresh stuffed pasta (x2 packs): $4.98
- Vidalia onions (x1 bag, 3 lb): $2.69
- Organic spring mix (x1 bag): $2.99
- Avocados (x1 pack, 4 ct): $3.49
- Eridanous barrel aged feta cheese in brine (x1 pack): $6.99
- Eridanous pitted green olives in brine (x1 jar): $5.99
- Eridanous artichoke quarters with Kalamon olives and capers in oil (x1 jar): $2.49
- Eridanous capers (x1 jar): $1.29
- Eridanous marinated roasted red peppers (x1 jar): $2.99
- Ore-Ida frozen potatoes (x1 bag): $4.49
- Eridanous wheat flour breadsticks (x1 pack): $1.49
- Eridanous extra virgin olive oil spray (x1 can): $4.99
- Lidl Preferred Selection aged balsamic vinegar of Modena (x1 bottle): $4.85
- Shredded Parmesan cheese (x1 pack): $2.69
- Crushed red pepper (x1 pack): $0.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Lemon (for finishing the scallops and shrimp)
- Olive oil or neutral cooking oil for searing