ALDI Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's plan builds around five different proteins on sale, so your dinners stay varied while making the most of ALDI's deals. Monday brings Perdue chicken drumsticks at just $1.78, paired with roasted organic yellow potatoes and a quick cucumber salad. Midweek you'll enjoy ground beef farfalle with organic pasta sauce on Tuesday, then pan-seared pork chops with potatoes and roma tomato salad on Wednesday, both simple, skillet-friendly dinners. Thursday's popcorn shrimp stir fry and Friday's grilled tuna steak rice bowl close out the week with two fast, fresh seafood nights, and mini cucumbers and jasmine rice get used across multiple meals so nothing goes to waste.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Potatoes and Cucumber Salad
Description: Oven-baked chicken drumsticks seasoned with pantry spices, served with roasted yellow potatoes and a quick mini cucumber salad. A simple, hands-off weeknight dinner.
Sale items used: Perdue Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks, U.S. Grade #1 Organic Yellow Potatoes, Mini Cucumbers
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: 2 lb drumsticks, 1 bag (24 oz) organic yellow potatoes roasted with oil and pantry seasoning, half of a 16-oz package mini cucumbers sliced with vinegar and salt.
Recipes:
- Herb Roasted Chicken Drumsticks & Potatoes Recipe
- Herby Chicken with Crispy Potatoes and a Tomato Cucumber Salad

Tuesday
Meal: Ground Beef Farfalle with Marinara
Description: Browned ground beef simmered in organic pasta sauce and tossed with farfalle pasta. A hearty, comforting Italian-style dinner.
Sale items used: Fresh 73/27 Ground Beef, Reggano Farfalle or Rotini, Simply Nature Organic Pasta Sauce
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 2 lb ground beef, 1 box (12-16 oz) Reggano Farfalle, 1 jar (23.5-24 oz) Simply Nature Organic Pasta Sauce.
Recipes:
- Farfalle and Meat Sauce
- Beef Pasta With Ground Beef, Vegetables & farfalle Pasta
- Ground beef and bow tie pasta skillet with tomato sauce

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Potatoes and Tomato Salad
Description: Thin-sliced pork chops seared quickly in a hot skillet, served with roasted potatoes and a fresh roma tomato salad. Fast and flavorful with minimal cleanup.
Sale items used: Fresh Thin-Sliced Assorted Pork Chops, U.S. Grade #1 Organic Yellow Potatoes, Roma Tomatoes
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: 2 lb pork chops, 1 bag (24 oz) organic yellow potatoes roasted, 1 lb roma tomatoes sliced with pantry oil and vinegar.
Recipes:
- Pork Chops and Potatoes in Tomato Pepper Sauce
- Pan-Seared Pork Chops Recipe
- Lemony Pork Chops, Tomatoes, and Potatoes -- A Sheet Pan Dinner

Thursday
Meal: Popcorn Shrimp Stir Fry with Asian Vegetables and Rice
Description: Crispy popcorn shrimp tossed with stir-fried Asian medley vegetables and a savory stir fry sauce, served over jasmine rice. A quick, crowd-pleasing seafood night.
Sale items used: Fremont Fish Market Popcorn Shrimp, Season's Choice Asian Medley or Broccoli Stir Fry, Burman's Asian Stir Fry Sauce, Simply Nature Organic Jasmine or Basmati Rice
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1 package (18 oz) popcorn shrimp, 1 bag (12 oz) Asian medley, 1 bottle (14.5 oz) stir fry sauce, rice cooked using about half of the 32 oz bag.
Recipes:
- Easy Shrimp Stir Fry with Vegetables
- Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe
- Easy Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry

Friday
Meal: Grilled Tuna Steaks with Avocado and Cucumber Rice Bowl
Description: Pan-grilled tuna steaks served over jasmine rice with sliced avocado and mini cucumbers. A light, fresh way to close out the week.
Sale items used: Specially Selected Frozen Tuna Steaks, Avocados, Mini Cucumbers, Simply Nature Organic Jasmine or Basmati Rice
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 2 tuna steaks (12 oz each) thawed and grilled, 4 avocados sliced, remaining half of mini cucumber package sliced, rice cooked using remaining portion of the 32 oz bag.
Recipes:
- Cilantro Lime Grilled Tuna Avocado Cucumber Salsa
- Seared Ahi Tuna Rice Bowl
- Spicy Tuna Rice Bowl with Avocado and Cucumber

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Perdue Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks (2 lb): $1.78
- U.S. Grade #1 Organic Yellow Potatoes (2 bags): $7.98
- Mini Cucumbers (2 packages): $3.38
- Fresh 73/27 Ground Beef (2 lb): $8.58
- Reggano Farfalle or Rotini (1 box): $1.09
- Simply Nature Organic Pasta Sauce (1 jar): $2.19
- Fresh Thin-Sliced Assorted Pork Chops (2 lb): $6.38
- Roma Tomatoes (1 lb): $0.85
- Fremont Fish Market Popcorn Shrimp (1 package): $5.99
- Season's Choice Asian Medley or Broccoli Stir Fry (1 package): $1.59
- Burman's Asian Stir Fry Sauce (1 bottle): $2.29
- Simply Nature Organic Jasmine or Basmati Rice (1 bag): $4.29
- Specially Selected Frozen Tuna Steaks (2 each): $9.70
- Avocados (4 each): $2.36

Pantry staples needed:
- Cooking oil
- Salt and pepper
- Basic seasoning blend (garlic powder, paprika, or similar)
- Vinegar (for salads)