Lidl Vegetarian Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Ricotta-Stuffed Baked Cannelloni with Cherry Tomato Sauce
Description: Cannelloni pasta tubes are filled with seasoned ricotta, arranged in a baking dish, topped with cherry tomato sauce and shredded Parmesan, then baked until bubbling and golden. This is a classic Italian baked pasta that is hearty, satisfying, and comes together in about 55 minutes start to finish.
Sale items used: Italiamo cannelloni pasta, Ricotta cheese, Italiamo cherry tomato sauce, Shredded Parmesan cheese
Prep time: 55 minutes
Serving note: 1 package (8.8 oz.) Italiamo cannelloni pasta, 1 container (15 oz.) ricotta cheese seasoned with salt, pepper, and dried herbs from pantry, 1 jar (11.6 oz.) Italiamo cherry tomato sauce spread over the top, 1 package (5 oz.) shredded Parmesan cheese divided between topping and finishing. Serves 4 comfortably. Make-ahead note: fill and sauce the dish up to a day ahead, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
Recipes:
- Our Traditional Vegetarian Cannelloni Recipe

Tuesday
Meal: Potato-Cheddar Pierogi Pan-Fry with Sour Cream and Balsamic Glaze
Description: Frozen potato and cheddar pierogies are boiled briefly then pan-fried in a little butter until the outsides are golden and lightly crisp, served with a dollop of sour cream and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Yellow potatoes roasted alongside round out the plate and make the meal fully filling for four.
Sale items used: Frozen pierogies, potato and cheddar; Sour cream; Italiamo balsamic glaze; Yellow potatoes
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 2 packages (16 oz. each) frozen pierogies, potato and cheddar for 4 people; 1 container (16 oz.) sour cream for topping; 1 bottle (8.4 fl. oz.) Italiamo balsamic glaze for drizzling (a small amount per plate); approximately 1.5 lb. yellow potatoes from the 5 lb. bag, cubed and roasted.
Recipes:
- Pan-Fried Potato And Cheddar Pierogies Recipe
- Potato And Cheddar Perogies

Wednesday
Meal: Gorgonzola and Roasted Bell Pepper Trottole Pasta
Description: Italiamo tricolor trottole pasta is cooked and tossed with crumbled Dolce Gorgonzola and drained Italiamo roasted bell peppers in sunflower oil, creating a creamy, tangy sauce that clings to the spiral pasta. A handful of Fisher walnut halves toasted and scattered over the top adds crunch and rounds out the protein.
Sale items used: Italiamo tricolor trottole, Dolce Gorgonzola cheese, Italiamo roasted bell pepper in sunflower oil, Fisher walnut halves & pieces
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1 package (16 oz.) Italiamo tricolor trottole for 4 people; 1 package (7 oz.) Dolce Gorgonzola crumbled into the hot pasta; 1 jar (9.8 oz.) Italiamo roasted bell pepper in sunflower oil, drained and sliced; 1 package (6 oz.) Fisher walnut halves & pieces, roughly chopped and lightly toasted in a dry pan.

Thursday
Meal: Fresh Mozzarella and Bruschetta Topping Skillet Flatbread on Rustic Baguette
Description: Sliced rustic baguette halves are topped with Italiamo bruschetta topping and thick slices of fresh mozzarella, then placed under the broiler until the cheese melts and bubbles at the edges. A drizzle of balsamic glaze and a scatter of sun-dried tomatoes finish each piece, making a quick and satisfying broiled open-face dinner.
Sale items used: Rustic baguette, Fresh mozzarella cheese, Italiamo bruschetta topping, Italiamo sun-dried tomatoes in sunflower oil, Italiamo balsamic glaze
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 2 rustic baguettes halved lengthwise (4 halves total, one per person); 2 packages (8 oz. each) fresh mozzarella cheese sliced evenly across the 4 halves; 1 jar (6.7 oz.) Italiamo bruschetta topping spread as the base; 1 package (8.1 oz.) Italiamo sun-dried tomatoes in sunflower oil, drained and roughly chopped, scattered over the top; Italiamo balsamic glaze drizzled lightly to finish.
Recipes:
- Fresh Mozzarella Bruschetta

Friday
Meal: Pecorino Romano Cacio e Pepe-Style Fusilli with Sicilian Pistachio and Basil Pesto
Description: Italiamo fusilli pasta is cooked and finished in a sauce built from finely grated Lidl Preferred Selection DOP Pecorino Romano and starchy pasta water, creating a silky, peppery coating on every spiral, then swirled with a spoonful of Italiamo Sicilian pistachio & basil pesto for a bright herbal finish. This is the week's most flavor-forward pasta, leaning on the quality of the aged Pecorino Romano as the centerpiece ingredient.
Sale items used: Italiamo fusilli pasta, Lidl Preferred Selection DOP Pecorino Romano cheese, Italiamo Sicilian pistachio & basil pesto
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1 package (17.6 oz.) Italiamo fusilli pasta for 4 people; 1 package (8 oz.) Lidl Preferred Selection DOP Pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated and emulsified with reserved pasta water and black pepper from pantry; 1 jar (6.7 oz.) Italiamo Sicilian pistachio & basil pesto stirred in at the end, about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons per bowl.
Recipes:
- Pasta With Pecorino and Pistachios Recipe
- 5-Minute Pistachio Pesto

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Italiamo cannelloni pasta (x1 package): $1.99
- Ricotta cheese (x1 container): $1.99
- Italiamo cherry tomato sauce (x1 jar): $1.69
- Shredded Parmesan cheese (x1 package): $1.99
- Frozen pierogies, potato and cheddar (x2 packages): $3.58
- Sour cream (x1 container): $1.29
- Italiamo balsamic glaze (x1 bottle): $1.99
- Yellow potatoes (x1 bag, 5 lb.): $2.99
- Italiamo tricolor trottole (x1 package): $1.99
- Dolce Gorgonzola cheese (x1 package): $3.49
- Italiamo roasted bell pepper in sunflower oil (x1 jar): $2.49
- Fisher walnut halves & pieces (x1 package): $2.99
- Rustic baguette (x2 each): $3.98
- Fresh mozzarella cheese (x2 packages): $4.98
- Italiamo bruschetta topping (x1 jar): $1.99
- Italiamo sun-dried tomatoes in sunflower oil (x1 package): $2.29
- Italiamo fusilli pasta (x1 package): $2.99
- Lidl Preferred Selection DOP Pecorino Romano cheese (x1 package): $6.49
- Italiamo Sicilian pistachio & basil pesto (x1 jar): $2.39

Pantry staples needed:
- Butter (for pan-frying pierogies)
- Salt and black pepper
- Dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil) for ricotta filling
- Olive oil (for roasting potatoes and general cooking)