Piggly Wiggly Vegetarian Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week leans on Piggly Wiggly produce and pantry deals that stretch across several dinners, so nothing sits unused in your cart. Mushrooms show up on Monday in the stuffed baked potatoes and again on Wednesday in the zucchini mac and cheese, and the Daisy Sour Cream carries over from Monday's potatoes to Tuesday's tostadas. The bell peppers (5 for $5.00) cover both Thursday's peanut ramen stir-fry and Friday's cheese pizza, while the avocados (3 for $2.00) make Tuesday's tostadas feel fresh. Cottage cheese, refried beans, peanut butter and cheese carry the protein, so every dinner stays meat-free and filling.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Cottage Cheese and Mushroom Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Description: Oven-baked Green Giant Idaho Potatoes are split and loaded with creamy Daisy Cottage Cheese and Daisy Sour Cream. They are topped with browned Whole White Mushrooms and sweet onions for a hearty, protein-rich dinner.
Sale items used: Green Giant Idaho Potatoes, Daisy Cottage Cheese, Daisy Sour Cream, Whole White Mushrooms, Peruvian Sweet Onions
Prep time: 65 minutes
Serving note: Bake 4 potatoes (1 per person) from the 2-for-$5.00 purchase at 425 F for about 55 minutes, or microwave 8 minutes first to cut oven time. Use 1 container Daisy Cottage Cheese, 1 cup of the Daisy Sour Cream (save the rest for Tuesday), 1 package Whole White Mushrooms, and 1 lb Peruvian Sweet Onions (assumed weight). Total time exceeds 60 minutes, so bake the potatoes ahead in the afternoon and reheat for 10 minutes while you saute the mushrooms and onions.

Check the label: many hard cheeses are set with animal rennet.

Recipes:
- Stuffed Baked Potatoes
- Oven baked potatoes and mixed mushrooms with cottage cheese, chives, parmesan cheese and truffle oil
- Cottage Cheese Stuffed Baked Potato Recipe

Tuesday
Meal: Refried Bean and Avocado Tostadas with Fresh Salsa
Description: Crisp tostada shells are spread with warm vegetarian refried beans and topped with sliced Fresh Avocados, salsa and a spoonful of sour cream. It is a quick, no-fuss dinner with creamy, crunchy and fresh textures.
Sale items used: Old El Paso Refried Beans, Green Chiles or Enchilada Sauce, Old El Paso Shells, Tostada, Beans or Rice, Fresh Avocados, Red Gold Tomatoes or Salsa, Daisy Sour Cream
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Buy the vegetarian (lard-free) variety of refried beans and check the label. Use 2 cans refried beans, 1 package of the tostada shells, 3 Fresh Avocados, 1 jar or can of Red Gold Tomatoes or Salsa, and the remaining Daisy Sour Cream. Warm the beans in a saucepan 8 minutes and serve the tostadas assembled at the table.

Check the label: refried beans are often made with lard.

Recipes:
- Refried Bean Tostadas
- Bean Tostadas with Avocado, Queso Fresco, and Homemade Salsa
- Insanely Easy Refried Bean Tostadas

Wednesday
Meal: Zucchini and Mushroom Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Description: Kraft or Velveeta Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinners are cooked in a skillet with sauteed Yellow Squash or Zucchini and Whole White Mushrooms. The vegetables make the creamy pasta a full meal.
Sale items used: Kraft or Velveeta Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinners, Yellow Squash or Zucchini, Whole White Mushrooms
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 boxes of the Deluxe dinners, 1 lb Yellow Squash or Zucchini (assumed weight), and 1 package Whole White Mushrooms. Saute the vegetables 8 minutes, then stir them into the prepared macaroni and cheese sauce.
Recipes:
- Zucchini Mac and Cheese
- Stovetop Mac and Cheese with Mushrooms
- One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese

Thursday
Meal: Peanut Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Zucchini
Description: Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup noodles are tossed in a skillet with sliced Extra Large Bell Peppers and zucchini and coated in a lemony peanut sauce. Peter Pan Peanut Butter provides the protein.
Sale items used: Post Kids Cereal or Peter Pan Peanut Butter, Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup, Extra Large Green, Red, Yellow or Orange Bell Peppers, Yellow Squash or Zucchini, Fresh Lemons
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use only the noodle blocks and discard the seasoning packets, since the flavorings may contain meat ingredients. Use 6 noodle blocks (2 of the 3-for-$1.00 deals), 3 bell peppers, 0.5 lb Yellow Squash or Zucchini (assumed weight), 1 jar peanut butter (about 1/2 cup in the sauce), and the juice of 1 Fresh Lemon. Whisk the peanut butter with soy sauce, garlic and warm water for the sauce.
Recipes:
- Ramen Stir Fry
- Peanut Lime Vegetable Noodle Stir-Fry
- Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry with Peanut Sauce

Friday
Meal: Bell Pepper and Onion Cheese Pizza
Description: Jiffy pizza crust dough is baked until golden and topped with Classico Pasta Sauce used as the pizza sauce, melted Kraft Shreds or Chunks, and roasted peppers and onions. It makes a crisp, cheesy Friday dinner.
Sale items used: Jiffy Muffin, Pie Crust or Pizza Crust Mix, Classico Pasta Sauce, Kraft Shreds or Chunks, Extra Large Green, Red, Yellow or Orange Bell Peppers, Peruvian Sweet Onions
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 boxes of the pizza crust mix (one crust each), about 1 cup of Classico Pasta Sauce, 1 package Kraft Shreds or Chunks (shredded or grated), 2 bell peppers, and 0.5 lb Peruvian Sweet Onions (assumed weight). Bake at 425 F for 15 to 18 minutes.
Recipes:
- Grilled Bell Pepper and Cheese Pizza
- Boardwalk Pepper & Onion Pizza
- Loaded Green Pepper and Onion Pizza

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Green Giant Idaho Potatoes (x1 deal of 2 for $5.00): $5.00
- Daisy Cottage Cheese (x1): $3.99
- Daisy Sour Cream (x1): $2.59
- Whole White Mushrooms (x1 deal of 2 for $4.00): $4.00
- Peruvian Sweet Onions (1.5 lbs): $1.94
- Old El Paso Refried Beans, Green Chiles or Enchilada Sauce (x2): $1.98
Check the label: refried beans are often made with lard.
- Old El Paso Shells, Tostada, Beans or Rice (x1): $1.49
- Red Gold Tomatoes or Salsa (x1): $1.49
- Fresh Avocados (x1 deal of 3 for $2.00): $2.00
- Extra Large Green, Red, Yellow or Orange Bell Peppers (x1 deal of 5 for $5.00): $5.00
- Yellow Squash or Zucchini (1.5 lbs): $1.94
- Kraft or Velveeta Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinners (x2): $2.98
- Post Kids Cereal or Peter Pan Peanut Butter (x1): $1.49
- Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup (x2 deals of 3 for $1.00): $2.00
- Fresh Lemons (x1 deal of 2 for $1.00): $1.00
- Jiffy Muffin, Pie Crust or Pizza Crust Mix (x2): $1.78
- Classico Pasta Sauce (x1): $2.99
- Kraft Shreds or Chunks (x1): $5.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Sugar
- Red pepper flakes
- Italian seasoning
- Butter or margarine
- Water (for the pizza crust and the peanut sauce)