Meijer Vegetarian Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week is built around a handful of sale items that each show up on two nights, so you buy once and use everything up. The 5 lb bag of Russet Potatoes at $1.99 covers Tuesday's frittata and Wednesday's loaded baked potatoes, and the 3 lb bag of Yellow Onions goes into Monday's stew and then Tuesday's frittata. Your protein comes from Blackeye Peas on Monday, a carton of Eggland's Best Organic Eggs split between Tuesday and Friday, and Meijer Ingredient Beans in Thursday's stuffed sweet potatoes. The Minute Rice box is split between Monday's stew and Friday's fried rice, the Daisy Sour Cream is shared by Wednesday and Thursday, and the bag of Mandarin Oranges covers Thursday and Friday, so you should have very little left over.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Blackeye Pea and Greens Stew over Rice
Description: Blackeye Peas simmer with sauteed Yellow Onions and chopped Turnip, Mustard or Collard Greens until the greens are tender and the broth is savory. It is served over fluffy Minute Rice for a hearty, Southern-style one-pot dinner.
Sale items used: Blackeye Peas, Turnip, Mustard or Collard Greens, Yellow Onions, Minute Rice
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: 2 cans Blackeye Peas, 2 bunches Turnip, Mustard or Collard Greens, 1.5 lb Yellow Onions (from the 3 lb. bag), and about half of the Minute Rice box (the other half is for Friday). Season with garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper from the pantry.

Check the label: broth is often made from chicken or beef. Vegetable broth is the safe choice.

Recipes:
- Cajun Stewed Black Eyed Peas and Greens
- Vegetarian Black-Eyed Pea Stew
- Vegetarian Black-eyed Pea and Collard Green Stew

Tuesday
Meal: Potato and Onion Egg Frittata with Toasted Rye
Description: Thinly sliced Russet Potatoes and Yellow Onions are cooked until golden in an oven-safe skillet, then set with beaten eggs and finished in the oven. Serve wedges with toasted Pepperidge Farm Rye or Pumpernickel Bread.
Sale items used: Eggland's Best Organic Eggs, Russet Potatoes, Yellow Onions, Pepperidge Farm Rye or Pumpernickel Bread
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: 6 eggs from the carton (4 more are used Friday), 2 lb Russet Potatoes (from the 5 lb. bag), 1.5 lb Yellow Onions (the rest of the 3 lb. bag), and 1 loaf Pepperidge Farm Rye or Pumpernickel Bread, with 2 toasted slices per person.
Recipes:
- Potato and Onion Frittata
- Potato and Onion Frittata Recipe
- Spanish-Style Potato and Onion Frittata

Wednesday
Meal: Loaded Baked Russet Potatoes with Cream Cheese, Sour Cream and Vegetables
Description: Russet Potatoes bake until fluffy, then are split and filled with melted Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese and a dollop of Daisy Sour Cream. They are topped with Meijer Canned Vegetables warmed in a skillet with butter or oil.
Sale items used: Russet Potatoes, Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Daisy Sour Cream, Meijer Canned Vegetables
Prep time: 70 minutes
Serving note: 3 lb Russet Potatoes (the rest of the 5 lb. bag, about 4 large potatoes), 1 package Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese, half the container of Daisy Sour Cream (the other half is for Thursday), and 1 can Meijer Canned Vegetables. Total time is over 60 minutes, so bake the potatoes at 425F for 55 to 60 minutes. Or scrub and pierce them in the morning and microwave 10 minutes before finishing in the oven for 20 minutes.
Recipes:
- Loaded Baked Potato Casserole
- Loaded Baked Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

Thursday
Meal: Bean-Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes with Salsa and Sour Cream
Description: Bulk Sweet Potatoes are baked until soft and caramelized at the edges, then stuffed with warmed Meijer Ingredient Beans seasoned with cumin and chili powder. They are finished with Pace Salsa or Picante Sauce and a spoonful of Daisy Sour Cream, with Mandarin Oranges on the side.
Sale items used: Bulk Sweet Potatoes, Meijer Ingredient Beans, Pace Salsa or Picante Sauce, Daisy Sour Cream, Mandarin Oranges
Prep time: 65 minutes
Serving note: 3 lb Bulk Sweet Potatoes (about 4 medium), 2 cans Meijer Ingredient Beans, 1 jar Pace Salsa or Picante Sauce, the remaining half of the Daisy Sour Cream, and about 1.5 lb Mandarin Oranges (half the bag; the other half is for Friday). Total time is over 60 minutes, so bake the sweet potatoes at 425F for 45 to 50 minutes, or microwave them 8 minutes first to cut the oven time to 25 minutes.
Recipes:
- Southwestern Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes with Black Bean Salsa
- Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Friday
Meal: Vegetable Egg Fried Rice
Description: Cooked Minute Rice is stir-fried in a hot skillet with drained Meijer Canned Vegetables, garlic, and soy sauce. Scrambled Eggland's Best Organic Eggs are folded through for protein. Mandarin Oranges make a bright, fresh side.
Sale items used: Minute Rice, Eggland's Best Organic Eggs, Meijer Canned Vegetables, Mandarin Oranges
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: The remaining half of the Minute Rice box (cook ahead and cool for the best texture), the last 4 eggs from the carton, 2 cans Meijer Canned Vegetables, and about 1.5 lb Mandarin Oranges (the rest of the bag). Season with garlic, soy sauce, and oil from the pantry.
Recipes:
- Vegetable Egg Fried Rice
- Vegetable egg fried rice
- Quick Egg Fried Rice

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Blackeye Peas (x2 cans): $1.78
- Turnip, Mustard or Collard Greens (x2): $2.58
- Yellow Onions (1 bag, 3 lb.): $1.79
- Minute Rice (1 box): $2.49
- Eggland's Best Organic Eggs (1 carton): $3.99
- Russet Potatoes (1 bag, 5 lb.): $1.99
- Pepperidge Farm Rye or Pumpernickel Bread (1 loaf): $3.49
- Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese (1 package): $1.99
- Daisy Sour Cream (1 container): $2.49
- Meijer Canned Vegetables (x3 cans): $1.47
- Bulk Sweet Potatoes (3 lbs): $2.67
- Meijer Ingredient Beans (x2 cans): $1.78
- Pace Salsa or Picante Sauce (1 jar): $2.49
- Mandarin Oranges (1 bag, 3 lb.): $2.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Cooking oil or butter
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic
- Smoked paprika
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Soy sauce