Meijer Vegetarian Meal Plan

SALE ITEMS FOUND

Meats on sale:
- Dietz & Watson Ham, Chicken, Turkey or Italian Meat: $10.49/lb
- Dietz & Watson Cheese: $7.49/lb
- Fresh from Meijer Whole Pork Shoulder Butt Roast: $1.79/lb
- Pork Shoulder Boneless Country Style Ribs: $3.49/lb
- Certified Angus Beef T-Bone Steak: $12.99/lb
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks: $0.99/lb
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Breasts: $2.29/lb
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops: $1.99/lb
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Center Cut Chops: $2.99/lb
- Smithfield Bacon: BOGO (no base price listed)
- Eckrich 2 Pc. Sausage Rope, Smok-Y Links, Sausage Links or Li'l Smokies: 2/$6
- Fresh from Meijer Atlantic Salmon Portions: $8.99 for 12 oz.
- Certified Angus Beef Ground Chuck: $6.29/lb for 2.5 lb. pkg. or larger
- Fresh from Meijer Certified Angus Beef Flavored or Seasoned Ground Beef Patties: $10.99 for 4 ct./21.28 oz.
- True Goodness Pork Chops or Ground Pork: $2.79/lb
- True Goodness Back Ribs, Tenderloins, Filets or Pork Butts: BOGO (no base price listed)
- Tyson Trimmed & Ready Fresh Chicken or All Natural Frozen Raw Chicken Breasts, Wings or Tenders: BOGO (no base price listed)
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Wings: $13.99 (no unit stated - price not listed per lb or per serving unit)
- Jennie-O Ground Turkey: $2.99/lb for 3 lbs. 93% lean
- Johnsonville Smoked Brats or Smoked Sausage Rope: 2/$7
- Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Lunch Meat: 2/$8, final 2/$7
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Back Ribs: $2.99/lb
- Seasoned St. Louis Style Spareribs: $3.99/lb
- Wright Bacon: $8.99 for 24 oz.
- Wright Bacon: $14.99 for 40 oz.
- Meijer Flounder, Ocean Perch, Pollock, or Swai: 2/$10 for 16-24 oz.

Vegetables on sale:
- Mini Seedless Watermelons, Large Cantaloupe Melons or Nectarines: BOGO (no base price listed)
- Extra Large Avocados: 2/$3
- Sweet Corn Tray Pack: $6.99 for 8 ct.
- California Green Seedless Grapes: $2.29/lb
- Plantain Bananas: 2/$1
- Mandarin Oranges: $4.49 for 3 lb. bag
- Fresh from Meijer Diced or Sliced Vegetables: BOGO (no base price listed)
- Cherubs Tomatoes: 2/$5 for 10 oz.
- Greenhouse Grown Tomatoes on the Vine: $2.29/lb
- Multicolor Peppers: $3.49 for 3 ct.
- Blueberries: $2.99 each

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Meijer Ingredient Beans: $0.89/can - roughly $0.89 to $1.78 for 4 servings (1-2 cans)
- Meijer Shredded, Sliced or Chunk Cheese (as protein anchor): 3/$6 for 6-8 oz. - roughly $2.00 per 6-8 oz. package, about $2.00-$4.00 for 4 servings
- Daisy Sour Cream or Cottage Cheese Singles (cottage cheese as protein): 3/$4 - roughly $1.33 per unit, about $2.66 for 4 servings
- Meijer Cottage Cheese: 2/$5 for 24 oz. - $2.50 per 24 oz. container, about $2.50 for 4 servings
- Prego Pasta or Alfredo Sauces (cheese-based protein support): 3/$5 - roughly $1.67 per jar
- Old El Paso Shells, Beans or Rice, Enchilada Sauces or Green Chilies (beans): 3/$5 - roughly $1.67 per item, about $3.34 for 4 servings with two items
- Meijer Pasta: $1.00 per package - negligible per serving
- Meijer Broth: $1.59 per unit
- Meijer Asian Products: BOGO (no base price listed - excluded from ranking)
- Sargento Shredded or Chunk Cheese: 2/$6 for 5-8 oz. - $3.00 per package, about $3.00-$6.00 for 4 servings
- Meijer Soft or Whipped Cream Cheese: $1.99 for 8 oz. - about $1.99 for 4 servings as a component
- Rao's Pasta Sauce: $5.99 for 15 or 24 oz. - $5.99 per jar, about $1.50 per serving
- Fresh from Meijer Atlantic Salmon Portions: $8.99 for 12 oz. - 12 oz. feeds roughly 1-2 people; to feed 4 would require 2-3 packages at $17.98-$26.97 - excluded as too costly and pack size does not scale to 4 economically

Why these meals: Beans are the undisputed anchor of this week's plan - at $0.89 a can, Meijer Ingredient Beans deliver filling, high-protein dinners for almost nothing, and they show up in two very different flavor profiles so the week never feels repetitive. Cheese from the 3/$6 Meijer sale and the 2/$6 Sargento deal adds satisfying richness to two other nights without pushing costs up much. Meijer Pasta at $1.00 a box and Prego sauce at roughly $1.67 a jar make one classic pasta night extremely affordable. The multicolor peppers at $3.49 for 3 and the Cherubs tomatoes at 2/$5 give the produce side real color and variety without a big price tag. Salmon was evaluated but even two 12 oz. packages at $8.99 each would not comfortably feed four adults as a main, so it was skipped in favor of keeping the full week well inside the $18 per person ceiling. The one slightly elevated night uses Sargento cheese and eggs as the protein in a skillet frittata, which still lands in the economical range - there is genuinely no premium protein on this flyer that scales to four servings at a reasonable cost, so every night stays in the everyday tier and the total comes in comfortably.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Black Bean and Multicolor Pepper Skillet Tacos with Salsa
Description: Canned black beans are simmered with diced multicolor peppers and taco seasoning until thick and fragrant, then spooned into warm taco shells with shredded cheese and salsa on top. The filling comes together in one pan in about 20 minutes, making this a fast, colorful weeknight dinner.
Sale items used: Meijer Ingredient Beans (x2 cans), Multicolor Peppers (1 pack of 3 ct.), Old El Paso Shells, Beans or Rice, Enchilada Sauces or Green Chilies (taco shells, x1), McCormick Taco Seasoning Mix (x1), Meijer Shredded, Sliced or Chunk Cheese (x1 package), Pace Salsa, Picante Sauce, Pace Queso Bowl or Pace Cheese Sauce (x1)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 cans of Meijer Ingredient Beans, 3 multicolor peppers (the full pack), 1 package Old El Paso taco shells, 1 packet McCormick Taco Seasoning, 1 package (6-8 oz.) Meijer Shredded Cheese, and 1 jar Pace Salsa split among 4 people - roughly 2 to 3 tacos per person.
Recipes:
- Vegetarian Black Bean Tacos
- Crispy Black Bean Tacos

Tuesday
Meal: Spaghetti with Prego Pasta Sauce and Cottage Cheese
Description: Meijer pasta is boiled and tossed with a full jar of Prego pasta sauce, then served with a scoop of Meijer Cottage Cheese alongside for a protein boost that mimics the richness of a ricotta topping. A handful of Cherubs tomatoes halved and stirred in at the end adds fresh brightness to the finished bowl.
Sale items used: Meijer Pasta (x2 packages), Prego Pasta or Alfredo Sauces (x1 jar), Meijer Cottage Cheese (x1 container, 24 oz.), Cherubs Tomatoes (x1 pack, 10 oz.)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Cook 2 packages (2 lbs. total) of Meijer Pasta for 4 generous portions; use 1 full jar of Prego sauce, 1 full 24 oz. container of Meijer Cottage Cheese divided among bowls, and 1 pack of Cherubs Tomatoes halved and stirred in.
Recipes:
- Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce

Wednesday
Meal: Pinto Bean and Tomato Enchiladas with Enchilada Sauce and Shredded Cheese
Description: Pinto beans and diced greenhouse tomatoes are mixed with taco seasoning, rolled into Old El Paso flour tortillas or enchilada shells, covered with Old El Paso enchilada sauce, topped with Sargento shredded cheese, and baked until bubbly. This is a hands-on but straightforward bake that delivers a completely different flavor profile from Monday's tacos.
Sale items used: Meijer Ingredient Beans (x2 cans), Old El Paso Shells, Beans or Rice, Enchilada Sauces or Green Chilies (enchilada sauce, x1; flour tortillas or shells, x1), Greenhouse Grown Tomatoes on the Vine (1 lb.), Sargento Shredded or Chunk Cheese (x1 package, 5-8 oz.), McCormick Taco Seasoning Mix (x1)
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 cans of Meijer Ingredient Beans, 1 lb. of Greenhouse Grown Tomatoes on the Vine (roughly 2-3 medium tomatoes), 1 can Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce, 1 pack Old El Paso shells or tortillas, 1 packet McCormick Taco Seasoning, and 1 package Sargento Shredded Cheese spread across 8 enchiladas (2 per person). Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes.
Recipes:
- Pinto Bean Veggie Enchiladas

Thursday
Meal: Sargento Cheese and Egg Frittata with Sweet Corn and Multicolor Peppers
Description: Eggs are whisked and poured over sauteed multicolor peppers and sweet corn kernels cut fresh from the cob in an oven-safe skillet, then topped with Sargento shredded cheese and finished under the broiler until set and lightly golden. The result is a hearty, sliceable frittata that is completely different in texture and method from anything else this week.
Sale items used: Sargento Shredded or Chunk Cheese (x1 package, 5-8 oz.), Multicolor Peppers (x1 pack, 3 ct.), Sweet Corn Tray Pack (x1 tray, 8 ct. - use 4 ears for this meal)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 8 large eggs (pantry), 3 multicolor peppers (1 full pack), 4 ears of sweet corn from the 8-ct. tray (kernels cut off the cob), and 1 package Sargento Shredded Cheese; slice the frittata into 4 wedges. The remaining 4 ears of corn can be served as a side or saved for another use.
Recipes:
- Summer Vegetable Frittata with Sweet Corn

Friday
Meal: Lentil and Tomato Soup with Meijer Broth and Avocado
Description: Red or green lentils (pantry) are simmered in Meijer Broth with diced greenhouse tomatoes, Cherubs tomatoes, and Pace salsa for a smoky, tangy soup that is thick and deeply satisfying. Each bowl is finished with sliced fresh avocado for creaminess and a handful of Meijer Shredded Cheese melted on top.
Sale items used: Meijer Broth (x2 containers), Greenhouse Grown Tomatoes on the Vine (1 lb.), Cherubs Tomatoes (x1 pack, 10 oz.), Extra Large Avocados (x2), Pace Salsa, Picante Sauce, Pace Queso Bowl or Pace Cheese Sauce (x1), Meijer Shredded, Sliced or Chunk Cheese (x1 package, 6-8 oz.)
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 containers of Meijer Broth, 1 lb. Greenhouse Grown Tomatoes on the Vine (roughly 2-3 tomatoes, diced), 1 pack Cherubs Tomatoes, 1 jar Pace Salsa stirred in for depth, 2 Extra Large Avocados (half an avocado per person), and 1 package Meijer Shredded Cheese divided among 4 bowls. Lentils are a pantry staple; use about 1.5 cups dry lentils total.
Recipes:
- Mexican Lentil Soup
- The best lentil soup and avocado cream

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Meijer Ingredient Beans (x4 cans, for Monday and Wednesday): $3.56
- Multicolor Peppers (x2 packs, for Monday and Thursday): $6.98
- Old El Paso Shells, Beans or Rice, Enchilada Sauces or Green Chilies - taco shells (x1): $1.67
- Old El Paso Shells, Beans or Rice, Enchilada Sauces or Green Chilies - enchilada sauce (x1): $1.67
- Old El Paso Shells, Beans or Rice, Enchilada Sauces or Green Chilies - tortillas or shells for enchiladas (x1): $1.67
- McCormick Taco Seasoning Mix (x2 packets, for Monday and Wednesday): $1.58
- Meijer Shredded, Sliced or Chunk Cheese (x2 packages, for Monday and Friday): $4.00
- Pace Salsa, Picante Sauce, Pace Queso Bowl or Pace Cheese Sauce (x2 jars, for Monday and Friday): $4.00
- Meijer Pasta (x2 packages, for Tuesday): $2.00
- Prego Pasta or Alfredo Sauces (x1 jar, for Tuesday): $1.67
- Meijer Cottage Cheese (x1 container 24 oz., for Tuesday): $2.50
- Cherubs Tomatoes (x2 packs 10 oz., for Tuesday and Friday): $5.00
- Greenhouse Grown Tomatoes on the Vine (2 lbs., for Wednesday and Friday): $4.58
- Sargento Shredded or Chunk Cheese (x1 package, for Wednesday and Thursday): $3.00
- Sweet Corn Tray Pack (x1 tray 8 ct., for Thursday): $6.99
- Meijer Broth (x2 containers, for Friday): $3.18
- Extra Large Avocados (x2, for Friday): $3.00

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Onion
- Dry lentils (about 1.5 cups)
- 8 large eggs
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Italian seasoning or dried basil