ALDI Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: Chicken wings and thin-sliced pork chops are the real workhorses of this week, both coming in well under $2 per serving and giving you two very different flavor directions - sticky oven-baked wings one night and a quick pan-seared pork dinner another. The pork chops are so affordable that they anchor two nights (the plan's maximum for a single protein), once as a simple pan-sear and once in a different preparation with peppers and tomatoes, keeping things interesting without repeating the same plate. The Morton's of Omaha Petite Beef Tender earns the one premium slot because at $6.99/lb it is the only steak-style cut on the flyer, and 1.5 lbs sliced thin across four plates is a genuinely reasonable splurge for a Friday treat. Zucchini, multicolored peppers, and grape tomatoes all rotate across different nights so no single vegetable dominates the week, and the L'oven Fresh 12 Grain Wide Pan Bread pulls double duty as a side on two separate nights without feeling repetitive. This week's flyer leans breakfast-heavy on its frozen and pantry items, so the dinner selections focus tightly on the three meat proteins and the fresh produce, which keeps the total honest and avoids buying large-format items the week cannot fully use.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings with Zucchini Coins
Description: A full 40 oz. pack of Fresh Buffalo Party Pack Chicken Wings is seasoned and roasted in the oven at 425 degrees until the skin is crispy and the meat is cooked through, then tossed in your choice of hot sauce or served plain. Sliced zucchini coins are seasoned with olive oil, garlic, and Italian seasoning and roasted on a second sheet pan alongside the wings for a simple, satisfying side.
Sale items used: Fresh Buffalo Party Pack Chicken Wings (40 oz.), Zucchini
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes oven time
Serving note: 1 pack (40 oz.) of wings for 4 people; 1.5 lbs of zucchini sliced into coins. Total time is about 60 minutes - slide the zucchini into the oven during the last 20 minutes of the wings' cook time so both finish together.

Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Thin-Sliced Pork Chops with Multicolored Pepper Saute and Crusty Bread
Description: Thin-sliced boneless pork chops are seasoned with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper, then seared quickly in a hot skillet for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and just cooked through. Sliced multicolored peppers are sauteed in the same pan with olive oil, onion, and a splash of red wine vinegar for a bright, colorful side that soaks up the pan drippings beautifully.
Sale items used: Fresh Family Pack Thin-Sliced Boneless Pork Chops, Multicolored Peppers, L'oven Fresh 12 Grain Wide Pan Bread
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs of pork chops for 4 people; 1 pack (3-pack) of multicolored peppers, all three peppers sliced; 1 loaf of L'oven Fresh 12 Grain Wide Pan Bread, serve 2 to 3 slices per person alongside.

Wednesday
Meal: Sliced Petite Beef Tender with Grape Tomato Pan Sauce and Grain Bread
Description: Morton's of Omaha Petite Beef Tender is seared in a cast iron or heavy skillet over high heat to develop a deep crust, then sliced thin across the grain and finished with a quick pan sauce made from Cherub Grape Tomatoes, garlic, and beef broth. The tomatoes burst and concentrate into a savory, slightly sweet sauce that pairs perfectly with slices of L'oven Fresh 12 Grain Wide Pan Bread for soaking.
Sale items used: Morton's of Omaha Fresh Rosemary or Steakhouse Petite Beef Tender, Cherub Grape Tomatoes (10 oz. pkg.), L'oven Fresh 12 Grain Wide Pan Bread
Prep time: 10 minutes active, 20 to 25 minutes cook time
Serving note: 1.5 lbs of beef tender for 4 people; 1 package (10 oz.) of Cherub Grape Tomatoes for the pan sauce; serve remaining slices of the L'oven Fresh 12 Grain Wide Pan Bread on the side. Let the beef rest 5 minutes before slicing.

Thursday
Meal: Thin-Sliced Pork Chops with Zucchini and Tomato Skillet
Description: Thin-sliced boneless pork chops are quickly pan-cooked with diced zucchini and halved grape tomatoes in a single skillet, seasoned with oregano, garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a light Mediterranean-style one-pan dinner. The tomatoes release their juices and create a light, bright sauce that coats the zucchini and pork without any additional liquid needed.
Sale items used: Fresh Family Pack Thin-Sliced Boneless Pork Chops, Zucchini, Cherub Grape Tomatoes (10 oz. pkg.)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs of pork chops for 4 people; 1 lb of zucchini diced into half-inch pieces; 1 package (10 oz.) of Cherub Grape Tomatoes halved. Serve over rice or with bread from the pantry if desired.
Recipes:
- Greek-Spiced Pork Chops with Warm Zucchini-Feta Salad

Friday
Meal: Croissant Sandwiches with Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad and Green Grapes
Description: Large Bake Shop croissants are split and filled generously with Park Street Deli Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad for a satisfying, no-cook Friday dinner that feels a little celebratory without any extra effort. A side of California Green Grapes echoes the fruity notes in the chicken salad and keeps the plate fresh and light.
Sale items used: Bake Shop Mini or Large Croissants (10-10.5 oz.), Park Street Deli Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad (16 oz.), California Green Grapes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Serving note: 1 pack of Bake Shop Large Croissants for 4 people (one croissant per person); 1 container (16 oz.) of Park Street Deli Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad divided evenly across 4 croissants; 1 lb of California Green Grapes divided as a side.
Recipes:
- Amazing Chicken Salad Sandwich

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh Buffalo Party Pack Chicken Wings (40 oz.) (x1 pack): $4.99
- Fresh Family Pack Thin-Sliced Boneless Pork Chops (4 lbs total, 2 lbs per use on Tuesday and Thursday): $11.96
- Morton's of Omaha Fresh Rosemary or Steakhouse Petite Beef Tender (1.5 lbs): $10.49
- Zucchini (2.5 lbs total, 1.5 lbs Monday and 1 lb Thursday): $2.98
- Multicolored Peppers (x1 3-pack): $2.49
- Cherub Grape Tomatoes (10 oz. pkg.) (x2 packages, one for Wednesday and one for Thursday): $3.98
- L'oven Fresh 12 Grain Wide Pan Bread (x1 loaf): $2.69
- Bake Shop Mini or Large Croissants (10-10.5 oz.) (x1 pack): $2.79
- Park Street Deli Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad (16 oz.) (x1 container): $4.99
- California Green Grapes (1 lb): $1.29

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Smoked paprika
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Italian seasoning
- Oregano
- Red pepper flakes
- Red wine vinegar
- Beef broth (small amount for pan sauce)
- Hot sauce (optional, for wings)