ALDI Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The kielbasa, chicken thighs, marinated pork loin, and black beans anchor four of the five nights at very low per-serving costs, keeping the week grounded and flavorful without leaning on expensive cuts. The Fresh Honey Maple Salmon and Fresh Lamb Steaks are both premium options this week; the salmon is the priciest per serving at around $4.12, and the lamb comes in just behind it at $3.37, so both are genuinely premium-tier choices. The lamb earns the single premium night because it costs less per serving than the salmon and still delivers a special, restaurant-feel dinner. The Priano Gnocchi and Mama Cozzi's Pizza Dough round out two of the economical nights beautifully, stretching the budget while adding real variety in format and flavor across the week.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs with Baby Bella Mushrooms and Rice
Description: Boneless skinless chicken thighs are seasoned and seared in a skillet until golden and cooked through, then paired with sauteed Baby Bella mushrooms for a savory, satisfying weeknight dinner. Ready-to-eat rice cups are warmed alongside to complete the plate quickly and easily.
Sale items used: Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, Baby Bella Mushrooms, Earthly Grains Ready-to-Eat Rice Cups
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken thighs for 4 people ($4.98). Use 2 pkgs of Baby Bella Mushrooms (16 oz total, $2.58). Use 2 Earthly Grains Ready-to-Eat Rice Cups ($3.30), warming each cup per package directions and splitting between 4 plates.
Recipes:
- Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs

Tuesday
Meal: Skillet Polska Kielbasa with Black Beans, Avocado, and Salsa
Description: Sliced Polska kielbasa is browned in a skillet until caramelized and smoky, then served alongside warmed black beans and topped with fresh avocado slices and cantina salsa for a bold, Tex-Mex-inspired plate. This fast, hearty dinner comes together in one pan with minimal cleanup.
Sale items used: Parkview Polska Kielbasa Assorted Varieties, Simply Nature Organic Black Beans, Avocados, Park Street Deli Cantina Salsa
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pkg of Parkview Polska Kielbasa ($2.89), sliced into rounds and browned in a skillet. Use 2 cans of Simply Nature Organic Black Beans ($1.98), drained and warmed. Use 2 avocados ($1.18), sliced and divided among 4 plates. Use 1 container of Park Street Deli Cantina Salsa ($2.49) for topping.
Recipes:
- Kielbasa Black Bean Skillet
- 15-Minute Mexican Skillet Recipe with Sausage, Rice & Beans

Wednesday
Meal: Baked Marinated Pork Loin Filet with Peaches and Mini Cucumbers
Description: The pre-marinated pork loin filet is roasted in the oven until juicy and cooked through, then sliced and served with fresh sliced peaches for a sweet-savory contrast and cool mini cucumber slices on the side. The marinade is already built in, so this dinner requires almost no prep work beyond slicing the fresh produce.
Sale items used: Fresh Marinated Pork Loin Filet, Peaches, Mini Cucumbers
Prep time: 50 minutes (about 10 minutes prep, 35-40 minutes oven time)
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Fresh Marinated Pork Loin Filet for 4 people ($4.49). Use 1 bag of Peaches (2 lbs, $2.78), sliced fresh. Use 1 pkg of Mini Cucumbers (16 oz, $1.69), sliced into rounds. Let pork rest 5 minutes before slicing.
Recipes:
- Pork Tenderloin With Peaches
- Peach Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Thursday
Meal: Homemade Pizza with Pizza Dough, Spicy Pizza Sauce, Shredded Mozzarella, and Ham
Description: Mama Cozzi's pizza dough is stretched and topped with spicy pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, and sliced Appleton Farms uncured ham, then baked in a hot oven until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. This crowd-pleasing pizza night is a fun, hands-on dinner that costs a fraction of delivery.
Sale items used: Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Pizza Dough, Reggano Regular or Spicy Pizza Sauce, Happy Farms Shredded Mozzarella, Appleton Farms Uncured Quarter-Sliced Ham
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pkg of Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Pizza Dough ($1.19) to make one large pizza. Use 1 jar of Reggano Regular or Spicy Pizza Sauce ($1.09). Use 1 pkg of Happy Farms Shredded Mozzarella ($3.29). Use 0.75 lbs of Appleton Farms Uncured Quarter-Sliced Ham ($3.37), layered over the sauce before baking at 425 degrees F for 12-15 minutes.

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Fresh Lamb Steaks with Strawberries and Parmesan
Description: Fresh lamb steaks are seasoned simply and seared in a hot skillet to a beautiful crust, then plated with fresh strawberries for a bright, elegant contrast and finished with shaved Reggano Parmesan for a special end-of-week dinner. The combination of savory lamb, sweet berries, and salty cheese makes this a memorable and impressive plate with very little effort.
Sale items used: Fresh Lamb Steaks, Strawberries, Reggano Parmesan or Parmesan & Romano Cheese
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Fresh Lamb Steaks for 4 people ($13.49). Use 1 pkg of Strawberries (1 lb, $1.89), hulled and halved. Use 1 pkg of Reggano Parmesan or Parmesan & Romano Cheese (8 oz, $2.79), shaved or grated over the top at serving.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (2 lbs): $4.98
- Baby Bella Mushrooms (x2 pkgs): $2.58
- Earthly Grains Ready-to-Eat Rice Cups (x2): $3.30
- Parkview Polska Kielbasa Assorted Varieties (x1 pkg): $2.89
- Simply Nature Organic Black Beans (x2 cans): $1.98
- Avocados (x2): $1.18
- Park Street Deli Cantina Salsa (x1): $2.49
- Fresh Marinated Pork Loin Filet (1.5 lbs): $4.49
- Peaches (2-lb bag): $2.78
- Mini Cucumbers (x1 pkg): $1.69
- Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Pizza Dough (x1 pkg): $1.19
- Reggano Regular or Spicy Pizza Sauce (x1): $1.09
- Happy Farms Shredded Mozzarella (x1 pkg): $3.29
- Appleton Farms Uncured Quarter-Sliced Ham (0.75 lbs): $3.37
- Fresh Lamb Steaks (1.5 lbs): $13.49
- Strawberries (x1 pkg): $1.89
- Reggano Parmesan or Parmesan & Romano Cheese (x1 pkg): $2.79

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or neutral cooking oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder or fresh garlic
- Dried Italian seasoning or dried herbs (thyme, rosemary)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for kielbasa skillet)