ALDI Dairy-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: You're buying just three proteins this week, and two of them carry two nights each: pork chops on Monday and Friday, and chicken tenderloins on Tuesday and Thursday, with ground beef nachos on Wednesday for a change of pace. The $2.49 pack of Multicolored Peppers covers Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and the $1.99 bag of Honeycrisp Apples is split between the two pork nights, so very little ends up wasted. Baby Bella Mushrooms ($3.87 for three packages) show up in the Monday pork dish and the Thursday stir-fry, which keeps the produce shopping simple. Since everything is built around dairy-free cooking, skip the cheese on the nachos and glance at the labels on the BBQ sauce and the salsa before they go in your cart.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Baby Bella Mushrooms and Apples
Description: Thin-sliced pork chops are seared in a hot skillet, then topped with sauteed Baby Bella Mushrooms and Honeycrisp Apple slices. A quick pan sauce from the drippings keeps it dairy-free.
Sale items used: Fresh Family Pack Thin-Sliced Boneless Pork Chops, Baby Bella Mushrooms, New York Honeycrisp Apples
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs pork chops, 2 packages (16 oz) Baby Bella Mushrooms, 1 bag (2 lbs) Honeycrisp Apples (use 2 apples here, the rest on Friday).
Recipes:
- Chops N Apples in a Pan

Tuesday
Meal: BBQ Chicken Tenderloin Skewers with Roasted Peppers
Description: Chicken tenderloins are tossed in Burman's Premium BBQ Sauce, threaded on skewers and broiled until browned. Multicolored Peppers are roasted alongside until tender and lightly charred.
Sale items used: Fresh Family Pack Chicken Tenderloins, Burman's Premium BBQ Sauce, Multicolored Peppers
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs chicken tenderloins, 1 bottle BBQ sauce (check the label to confirm it is dairy-free), 1 pack of 3 Multicolored Peppers (use 2 peppers here, 1 on Thursday).
Recipes:
- Baked BBQ Chicken Skewers with Pineapple and Peppers

Wednesday
Meal: Ground Beef and Pepper Skillet Nachos
Description: Browned 80/20 Ground Beef is seasoned and served over Simply Nature Organic Corn Tortilla Chips with Casa Mamita Flavored Salsa. No cheese is used, and the dish is finished with the sauteed peppers.
Sale items used: Fresh 80/20 Ground Beef, Simply Nature Organic Corn Tortilla Chips, Casa Mamita Flavored Salsa, Multicolored Peppers
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs ground beef, 1 bag tortilla chips, 1 jar salsa, 1 pepper from the 3-pack (the third is used Thursday). Check the salsa label to confirm it is dairy-free.
Recipes:
- HEALTHIER BEEF NACHOS (DAIRY FREE)

Thursday
Meal: Chicken Tenderloin and Mushroom Stir-Fry
Description: Sliced chicken tenderloins are stir-fried over high heat with Baby Bella Mushrooms and Multicolored Peppers until browned. Garlic, soy sauce and a little oil make a simple savory glaze.
Sale items used: Fresh Family Pack Chicken Tenderloins, Baby Bella Mushrooms, Multicolored Peppers
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins (total chicken for the week is 3.5 lbs, 2 lbs Tuesday plus 1.5 lbs Thursday), 1 package (8 oz) Baby Bella Mushrooms, 1 pepper from the 3-pack. Serve over rice from the pantry.
Recipes:
- Chicken and Mushroom Stir Fry
- Chicken Mushroom Stir Fry
- Chicken Mushroom Stir-Fry Recipe: How to Make It

Friday
Meal: Sheet-Pan Pork Chops with Honeycrisp Apples and Green Grapes
Description: Thin-sliced pork chops are roasted on a sheet pan with Honeycrisp Apple wedges and California Green Grapes until the fruit caramelizes. The sweet-savory pan juices are spooned over the top.
Sale items used: Fresh Family Pack Thin-Sliced Boneless Pork Chops, New York Honeycrisp Apples, California Green Grapes
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs pork chops (total pork for the week is 3.5 lbs), the remaining Honeycrisp Apples from the bag, 1 lb California Green Grapes.
Recipes:
- Pork Chops and Apple Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh Family Pack Thin-Sliced Boneless Pork Chops (3.5 lbs): $10.47
- Fresh Family Pack Chicken Tenderloins (3.5 lbs): $8.02
- Fresh 80/20 Ground Beef (1.5 lbs): $7.94
- Baby Bella Mushrooms (x3 packages): $3.87
- New York Honeycrisp Apples (x1 bag): $1.99
- California Green Grapes (1 lb): $1.29
- Multicolored Peppers (x1 pack): $2.49
- Burman's Premium BBQ Sauce (x1): $2.99
- Simply Nature Organic Corn Tortilla Chips (x1): $2.79
- Casa Mamita Flavored Salsa (x1): $2.45

Pantry staples needed:
- Cooking oil
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Rice
- Taco-style spices (chili powder, cumin)
- Skewers