Publix Vegetarian Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Bush's Best Baked Beans (2 for $3.00, two 16-oz cans): $1.50 for both cans, roughly $0.38 per serving - used as primary protein anchor
- Polly-O Ricotta Cheese (BOGO; base price estimated from standard retail ~$5.99 per 15-oz cup, but flyer shows no stated base price for BOGO) - excluded from ranking; BOGO base price not stated in flyer
- Rana Tortelloni (2 for $10.00, cheese variety): $5.00 per pkg, two pkgs for 4 people = $10.00 total, roughly $2.50 per serving
- Morningstar Farms Veggie Entrées (BOGO; base price not stated in flyer) - excluded from ranking; BOGO base price not stated
- Kraft Shredded Cheese (2 for $6.00): $3.00 per pkg, two pkgs = $6.00, used as a topping/protein supplement, roughly $1.50 per serving
- Tillamook Cheese (2 for $7.00): $3.50 per pkg, one pkg for 4 people = $3.50, roughly $0.88 per serving as a component
- Belgioioso Parmesan Cheese ($3.99 per 8-oz pkg): $3.99 for one pkg, roughly $1.00 per serving as a component
- Cacique Ranchero Chunk Cheese (BOGO; base price not stated in flyer) - excluded from ranking; BOGO base price not stated

Practical protein ranking used for meal planning (diet-compliant items with usable pricing):
- Bush's Best Baked Beans (2 for $3.00): ~$0.38 per serving - most economical protein anchor
- Rana Tortelloni, cheese variety (2 for $10.00): ~$2.50 per serving - economical pasta protein
- Kraft Shredded Cheese (2 for $6.00): ~$1.50 per serving as a protein supplement
- Tillamook Cheese (2 for $7.00): ~$0.88 per serving as a component
- Belgioioso Parmesan Cheese ($3.99 flat): ~$1.00 per serving as a component
- GreenWise Puff Pastry Sheets ($4.99 flat) paired with Tillamook Cheese: combined ~$1.87 per serving - economical savory tart base
- Pastazara Organic Pasta (BOGO; base price not stated) - excluded from ranking; BOGO base price not stated in flyer
- Bertolli Sauce (BOGO; base price not stated) - excluded from ranking; BOGO base price not stated in flyer

This is an unusually produce-rich and pantry-deal-heavy week at Publix, with very few vegetarian proteins carrying a clear stated price. The five dinners lean hard on beans, cheese tortelloni, ricotta (used where the BOGO deal is confirmed by the package description even without a stated base price - ricotta is skipped from the ranked list but used as a meal ingredient where cost is absorbed into the overall budget), puff pastry with cheese, and a corn-and-bean skillet. The single most indulgent night uses Rana Tortelloni at 2 for $10.00, which is genuinely the priciest protein unit this week but still a reasonable splurge for a family of four. Bush's Best Baked Beans at 2 cans for $3.00 is the standout deal of the week and anchors two different-format meals without repeating the same dish. The Campari Tomatoes BOGO, broccoli 2 for $6.00, and Bulk Sweet Corn at 5 for $3.00 all stretch produce dollars beautifully and keep the week's vegetable variety high without adding much cost.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Stovetop Bush's Best Baked Bean and Sweet Corn Tacos with Kraft Shredded Cheese
Description: Smoky baked beans are warmed in a skillet with fire-roasted salsa verde and sweet corn cut fresh from the cob, then spooned into warm bread and topped with shredded cheese for a hearty, hands-on weeknight dinner. The combination of beans and corn delivers a complete, satisfying protein profile with bold Southwestern flavor in well under 30 minutes.
Sale items used: Bush's Best Baked Beans (2 for $3.00), Bulk Sweet Corn (5 for $3.00), Kraft Shredded Cheese (2 for $6.00), Casa Martinez Fire Roasted Gourmet Salsa - Verde Tatemada variety (BOGO), Campari Tomatoes (BOGO), Nature's Own Butterbread (BOGO)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 cans of Bush's Best Baked Beans (two 16-oz cans, both purchased in the 2 for $3.00 deal), 4 ears of Bulk Sweet Corn (kernels cut from cob), 1 pkg Kraft Shredded Cheese (one 6 to 8-oz pkg from the 2 for $6.00 deal - second pkg used Thursday), 1 jar Casa Martinez Verde Tatemada Salsa (first jar paid, second jar free - second jar used Friday), 1 pkg Campari Tomatoes (first pkg paid, second pkg free - second pkg used Wednesday), and 8 slices Nature's Own Butterbread (first loaf paid, second loaf free - remainder used for other meals). Each person gets 2 open-face bean and corn toasts.

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Ricotta and Campari Tomato Stuffed Puff Pastry Tarts with Parmesan
Description: Squares of GreenWise Puff Pastry Sheets are filled with creamy Polly-O Ricotta Cheese, halved Campari Tomatoes, and a generous shower of Belgioioso Parmesan Cheese, then baked until the pastry is golden and puffed and the cheese is lightly browned. Served alongside a Fresh Attitude Baby Spinach salad dressed simply with olive oil, these tarts feel restaurant-worthy but come together in about 45 minutes.
Sale items used: GreenWise Puff Pastry Sheets ($4.99), Polly-O Ricotta Cheese (BOGO), Campari Tomatoes (BOGO - second pkg from Monday's purchase), Belgioioso Parmesan Cheese ($3.99), Fresh Attitude Salads - Baby Spinach variety (2 for $6.00), Pompeian Imported Olive Oil (BOGO)
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 box GreenWise Puff Pastry Sheets (17.3-oz, yields 4 generous tart portions), 1 cup Polly-O Ricotta Cheese from the first 15-oz cup (first cup paid, second cup free - second cup used Thursday), the second pkg of Campari Tomatoes (free from Monday's BOGO pair), 1 pkg Belgioioso Parmesan Cheese (8-oz, use about half and reserve the rest for garnish), and 2 pkgs Fresh Attitude Baby Spinach (both pkgs from the 2 for $6.00 deal). Each person gets one large pastry tart and a generous side salad.

Wednesday
Meal: Simmered Bush's Best Baked Bean and Broccoli Stew over Zatarain's Rice
Description: A second can of Bush's Best Baked Beans is simmered with chopped broccoli, diced Campari Tomatoes, and warm spices into a thick, comforting stew that is ladled over fluffy Zatarain's Rice for a filling bowl-style dinner with a completely different flavor profile from Monday's tacos. The rice soaks up the savory bean broth and the broccoli adds color and texture to every spoonful.
Sale items used: Bush's Best Baked Beans (from Monday's 2 for $3.00 purchase - second can), Broccoli (2 for $6.00), Campari Tomatoes (BOGO - second pkg from Monday's purchase, any remainder), Zatarain's Rice (BOGO)
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use the second 16-oz can of Bush's Best Baked Beans (already purchased Monday), 2 bunches of Broccoli (both from the 2 for $6.00 deal, chopped into florets), any remaining Campari Tomatoes from Monday's second pkg, and 1 box Zatarain's Rice (first box paid, second box free - second box available as a pantry reserve). Cook rice according to package directions; simmer beans and broccoli together for about 20 minutes. Each person gets one generous bowl of stew over rice.

Thursday
Meal: Skillet-Toasted Rana Cheese Tortelloni with Tillamook Cheese and Sauteed Baby Bella Mushrooms
Description: Rana Tortelloni (cheese variety) is boiled until just tender, then pan-toasted in a hot skillet with sliced Publix Baby Bella Mushrooms and finished with melted Tillamook Cheese and a spoonful of reserved Polly-O Ricotta Cheese for a creamy, golden-edged pasta dinner with earthy mushroom depth. The pan-toasting step gives the tortelloni lightly crisped edges and a satisfying chew that sets this night apart from a standard pasta dish.
Sale items used: Rana Tortelloni - cheese variety (2 for $10.00), Publix Baby Bella Mushrooms (2 for $4.00), Tillamook Cheese (2 for $7.00), Polly-O Ricotta Cheese (BOGO - second cup from Tuesday's purchase), Kraft Shredded Cheese (2 for $6.00 - second pkg from Monday's purchase)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 pkgs of Rana Tortelloni (both pkgs from the 2 for $10.00 deal, approximately 7 to 12-oz each - select the cheese variety), 2 pkgs Publix Baby Bella Mushrooms (both 8-oz pkgs from the 2 for $4.00 deal), 1 pkg Tillamook Cheese (one 6 to 8-oz pkg from the 2 for $7.00 deal - second pkg available as a snack or reserve), the second 15-oz cup of Polly-O Ricotta Cheese (free from Tuesday's BOGO pair, use about half a cup as a finishing dollop), and the second pkg of Kraft Shredded Cheese (free from Monday's 2 for $6.00 deal, sprinkled over the top). Each person gets a generous bowl of pan-toasted tortelloni.
Recipes:
- 18 Delicious Rana Pasta Recipes You Must Try

Friday
Meal: Corn and Green Bean Skillet with Campari Tomato Salsa Verde and Naan
Description: Fresh sweet corn kernels and Publix Green Beans are sauteed together in a hot skillet until lightly charred and tender, then spooned over Stonefire Naan Rounds and finished with Casa Martinez Verde Tatemada Salsa for a bright, summery Friday dinner that celebrates the week's best produce deals. The naan acts as a sturdy base that soaks up the salsa and vegetable juices, making each piece a satisfying open-face flatbread meal.
Sale items used: Bulk Sweet Corn (5 for $3.00), Publix Green Beans (1-lb bag), Casa Martinez Fire Roasted Gourmet Salsa - Verde Tatemada variety (BOGO - second jar from Monday's purchase), Stonefire Naan Rounds (BOGO), Tillamook Cheese (2 for $7.00 - second pkg from Thursday's purchase)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 4 ears of Bulk Sweet Corn (kernels cut from cob, from the 5 for $3.00 deal - 4 ears used Monday, 4 ears used Friday, 1 ear remaining), 1 bag Publix Green Beans (1-lb bag, trimmed), the second jar of Casa Martinez Verde Tatemada Salsa (free from Monday's BOGO pair), 1 pkg Stonefire Naan Rounds (first pkg paid, second pkg free - use 4 naan rounds for dinner, remainder available), and the second pkg of Tillamook Cheese (from Thursday's 2 for $7.00 deal, crumbled or shredded over the top). Each person gets 1 naan round topped with the corn and green bean skillet mixture.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Bush's Best Baked Beans (x2 cans, 2 for $3.00 deal): $3.00
- Bulk Sweet Corn (x8 ears at 5 for $3.00, purchase two sets of 5 = 10 ears, use 8): $6.00
- Kraft Shredded Cheese (x2 pkgs, 2 for $6.00 deal): $6.00
- Casa Martinez Fire Roasted Gourmet Salsa - Verde Tatemada variety (x2 jars, BOGO - first jar paid, second free; base price $3.49 per jar based on standard Publix shelf price - note: BOGO base price not stated in flyer, cost estimated conservatively; if base price differs at register, adjust accordingly): $3.49
- Nature's Own Butterbread (x2 loaves, BOGO - first loaf paid, second free; base price $3.49 per loaf - note: BOGO base price not stated in flyer, cost estimated conservatively): $3.49
- GreenWise Puff Pastry Sheets (x1 box): $4.99
- Polly-O Ricotta Cheese (x2 cups, BOGO - first cup paid, second free; base price not stated in flyer - note: excluded from ranked list; however standard retail for a 15-oz cup is approximately $5.99; cost estimated at $5.99): $5.99
- Belgioioso Parmesan Cheese (x1 pkg): $3.99
- Fresh Attitude Salads - Baby Spinach variety (x2 pkgs, 2 for $6.00 deal): $6.00
- Pompeian Imported Olive Oil (x2 bottles, BOGO - first bottle paid, second free; base price not stated in flyer - note: BOGO base price not stated; standard retail approximately $8.99; cost estimated at $8.99): $8.99
- Broccoli (x2 bunches, 2 for $6.00 deal): $6.00
- Zatarain's Rice (x2 boxes, BOGO - first box paid, second free; base price not stated in flyer - note: BOGO base price not stated; standard retail approximately $3.49; cost estimated at $3.49): $3.49
- Rana Tortelloni - cheese variety (x2 pkgs, 2 for $10.00 deal): $10.00
- Publix Baby Bella Mushrooms (x2 pkgs, 2 for $4.00 deal): $4.00
- Tillamook Cheese (x2 pkgs, 2 for $7.00 deal): $7.00
- Campari Tomatoes (x2 pkgs, BOGO - first pkg paid, second free; base price not stated in flyer - note: BOGO base price not stated; standard retail approximately $3.99; cost estimated at $3.99): $3.99
- Publix Green Beans (x1 bag): $2.99
- Stonefire Naan Rounds (x2 pkgs, BOGO - first pkg paid, second free; base price not stated in flyer - note: BOGO base price not stated; standard retail approximately $4.99; cost estimated at $4.99): $4.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Onion powder or diced onion
- Cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper
- Dried Italian seasoning or dried thyme
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Cooking spray or neutral oil for skillet use