Piggly Wiggly Vegetarian Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Eggland's Best Large White Eggs (Dozen), $2.99/dozen - roughly $0.75 per serving (3 eggs per person costs about $0.75 using 12 eggs for 4 people)
- Old El Paso Refried Beans (after Buy 5 Save $5), $0.99 each - roughly $1.00-$1.50 per serving (one 16 oz. can plus one additional can feeds 4 generously at about $1.98 total)
- Old El Paso Shells/Beans/Rice (after Buy 5 Save $5), $1.49 each - roughly $1.49-$2.00 per serving when beans anchor the meal
- Whole White Mushrooms (8 oz.), 2/$4 ($2.00 per 8 oz. pack) - roughly $2.00-$2.50 per serving as a primary protein supplement (two packs at $4.00 for a hearty mushroom-forward dish)
- Kraft Natural Slices (7-8 oz.), 2/$5 ($2.50 per pack) - roughly $2.50 per serving when cheese is the primary protein in a baked or skillet dish
- Eggland's Best Large White Eggs used as a second egg-forward meal - roughly $1.50 per serving (half dozen for a frittata-style dish)

Why these meals: This is a great week to eat vegetarian on a budget at Piggly Wiggly because the produce, dairy, and pantry sections are loaded with deals while the meat aisle runs expensive. Eggs at $2.99 a dozen are the star of two nights - a hearty skillet frittata and a cheesy egg-based bake - keeping those evenings well under $2 per person in protein alone. The Old El Paso Buy 5 Save $5 promotion is a genuine windfall: stacking refried beans, taco shells, and seasoning together brings each item down to $0.99-$1.49, making the bean taco night one of the cheapest dinners of the week. Mushrooms at 2/$4 and broccoli at $1.99/lb round out two more filling vegetable-forward nights without leaning on any pricey packaged entrees. The Kraft Natural Slices at 2/$5 earn the one slightly more indulgent night - a cheesy baked pasta - which still costs well under $5 in protein for the whole table, making it the best "treat" value on this flyer without touching any premium-priced item.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Skillet Egg and Broccoli Frittata with Vidalia Onion
Description: Whisked eggs are poured over sauteed broccoli and sweet Vidalia onion in an oven-safe skillet, then finished under the broiler until puffed and golden. Kraft Natural Slices are layered on top in the final two minutes for a melty, satisfying finish.
Sale items used: Eggland's Best Large White Eggs (Dozen), Crisp Broccoli Crowns, Sweet Vidalia Onions, Kraft Natural Slices (7-8 oz., Selected Varieties)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 8 eggs total (two-thirds of one dozen), 1 lb broccoli crowns, 0.5 lb Vidalia onion, and 1 pack Kraft Natural Slices (7-8 oz.) melted on top. One dozen eggs purchased covers Monday and one additional egg meal this week.
Recipes:
- Cheesy Broccoli Frittata

Tuesday
Meal: Old El Paso Bean and Cheese Tacos with Cherry Tomato Salsa
Description: Warm Old El Paso taco shells are filled with seasoned refried beans, diced Sweetpops cherry tomatoes, and melted Kraft Natural Slices for a quick, protein-packed weeknight taco night. Old El Paso Taco Seasoning stirred into the beans adds bold flavor with almost no extra effort.
Sale items used: Old El Paso Shells, Beans, Rice or Taco Sauce (8-12 ct., Selected Varieties) - taco shells, Old El Paso Refried Beans (4-16 oz., Selected Varieties), Old El Paso Taco Seasoning (0.85-1 oz., Selected Varieties), Sweetpops Cherry Tomatoes (24 oz.), Kraft Natural Slices (7-8 oz., Selected Varieties)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pack taco shells (8-12 ct.), two 16 oz. cans refried beans, 1 packet taco seasoning, approximately 12 oz. of the 24 oz. cherry tomato container (halved as fresh salsa), and 1 pack Kraft Natural Slices. Buy 5 items from the Old El Paso promotion to unlock the $0.99/$1.49 pricing - include shells, two cans beans, seasoning, and one more Old El Paso item to reach 5.

Wednesday
Meal: Sauteed Mushroom and Carrot Knorr Rice Bowl with Soy Sauce
Description: Sliced Whole White Mushrooms and Baby Peeled Carrots are sauteed until tender and lightly caramelized, then served over a bed of Knorr Rice Side prepared on the stovetop. A drizzle of Kikkoman Soy Sauce ties the savory flavors together for a simple, satisfying bowl.
Sale items used: Whole White Mushrooms (8 oz.) x2, Green Giant Baby Peeled Carrots (1 lb. bag), Knorr Rice or Pasta Sides (4-5.7 oz., Selected Varieties), Kikkoman Soy or Teriyaki Sauce (20 oz.)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 packs (16 oz. total) Whole White Mushrooms, 1 lb. bag Baby Peeled Carrots (halved lengthwise), 2 pouches Knorr Rice Sides (buy 4 total to hit the 4/$6 deal and use remaining pouches later in the week), and 2-3 tablespoons Kikkoman Soy Sauce. The $3.99 bottle of soy sauce is essential to this dish and falls under the flavor-item limit.
Recipes:
- Mushroom and Carrot Rice Bowl Recipe

Thursday
Meal: Baked Egg and Potato Casserole with Vidalia Onion and Kraft Slices
Description: Cubed russet potatoes are par-boiled, then layered in a baking dish with sliced Vidalia onion and the remaining eggs, topped with Kraft Slices or Deluxe Slices and baked at 375 degrees until the eggs are just set and the cheese is bubbly. This hearty casserole eats like a full dinner with minimal hands-on time.
Sale items used: Eggland's Best Large White Eggs (Dozen) - second use, Best Choice Russet Potatoes (10 lb. bag), Sweet Vidalia Onions, Kraft Slices or Deluxe Slices (12-16 oz.)
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Use the remaining 4 eggs from the first dozen (purchased Monday), approximately 2 lbs of russet potatoes from the 10 lb. bag (the rest stores well for the week), 0.5 lb Vidalia onion, and 1 pack Kraft Slices or Deluxe Slices (12-16 oz.). Total active prep is about 20 minutes; the oven does the rest.
Recipes:
- Vidalia Onion Casserole
- Sweet Vidalia Onion & Potato Casserole
- Egg, Potato, & Cheese Casserole

Friday
Meal: Broccoli and Mushroom Pasta Bake with Kraft Natural Slices
Description: Cooked pasta from a Knorr Pasta Side is tossed with roasted broccoli florets, sauteed Whole White Mushrooms, and a simple sauce, then transferred to a baking dish, topped with Kraft Natural Slices, and baked until golden and bubbling. It is a crowd-pleasing, oven-finished pasta bake that uses up the remaining produce from the week.
Sale items used: Knorr Rice or Pasta Sides (4-5.7 oz., Selected Varieties) - pasta variety, Crisp Broccoli Crowns, Whole White Mushrooms (8 oz.) x2, Kraft Natural Slices (7-8 oz., Selected Varieties)
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 pouches Knorr Pasta Sides (from the 4-pack purchased Wednesday), 1 lb broccoli crowns, 2 packs (16 oz. total) Whole White Mushrooms, and 1 pack Kraft Natural Slices melted on top. Broccoli appears on Monday and Friday - two nights only, within the two-night limit for any single vegetable.
Recipes:
- Kraft Dinner with Broccoli and Mushrooms Recipe
- pasta broccoli cheese bake

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Eggland's Best Large White Eggs (Dozen) (x1 dozen): $2.99
- Crisp Broccoli Crowns (2 lbs total, used Monday 1 lb and Friday 1 lb): $3.98
- Sweet Vidalia Onions (1 lb total, used Monday and Thursday): $0.99
- Sweetpops Cherry Tomatoes (24 oz.) (x1): $4.99
- Whole White Mushrooms (8 oz.) (x4 packs, 2 for Wednesday and 2 for Friday): $8.00
- Green Giant Baby Peeled Carrots (1 lb. bag) (x1): $0.99
- Best Choice Russet Potatoes (10 lb. bag) (x1): $4.99
- Kraft Natural Slices (7-8 oz., Selected Varieties) (x3 packs - Monday, Tuesday, Friday): $7.50
- Kraft Slices or Deluxe Slices (12-16 oz.) (x1 - Thursday): $4.49
- Old El Paso Refried Beans (16 oz., Selected Varieties) (x2 cans): $1.98
- Old El Paso Shells, Beans, Rice or Taco Sauce (8-12 ct., Selected Varieties) (x1 - taco shells): $1.49
- Old El Paso Taco Seasoning (0.85-1 oz., Selected Varieties) (x1): $0.99
- Betty Crocker Cookie, Brownie, Muffin or Cake Mix (x1 - fifth item to complete Buy 5 Save $5 promotion): $1.99
- Knorr Rice or Pasta Sides (4-5.7 oz., Selected Varieties) (x4 pouches to hit 4/$6 deal): $6.00
- Kikkoman Soy or Teriyaki Sauce (20 oz.) (x1): $3.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or cooking oil (for sauteing)
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder or fresh garlic
- Dried Italian seasoning or herbs (for Friday pasta bake)
- Butter or cooking spray (for baking dish)
- All-purpose flour or cornstarch (optional, for thickening Friday sauce)