ALDI Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's plan leans into ALDI's fresh meat and produce sales to keep your dinners varied and satisfying without much fuss. You'll get zucchini doing double duty, sauteed alongside Monday's mustard-glazed chicken wings and simmered into Tuesday's beef skillet, while Cherub Grape Tomatoes show up fresh both Tuesday and in Thursday's carne picada tacos. Wednesday brings a cozy German-style dinner with seared pork chops, warm red cabbage, and crusty bread, and Friday closes things out with a lean eye of round steak paired with roasted pears and apples for a sweet finish to the week. Each night is built around a quick sear, roast, or skillet method, so prep stays simple even with five different proteins on the table.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Mustard-Glazed Roasted Chicken Wings with Zucchini
Description: Whole chicken wings are tossed in a simple mustard glaze and roasted until crisp, served alongside sauteed organic zucchini. A quick, hands-off weeknight dinner with a tangy German-style kick.
Sale items used: Farmer Focus Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Whole Chicken Wings, Inglehoffer Mustard, Organic Zucchini
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: 2 lb whole chicken wings, 2 tablespoons Inglehoffer Mustard, 0.75 lb organic zucchini sliced and sauteed, for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Honey-Mustard Wings Recipe: How to Make It
- Baked Honey Mustard Wings Recipe by Tasty
- Honey Mustard Chicken Wings - Downshiftology

Tuesday
Meal: Skillet Beef and Zucchini with Grape Tomatoes
Description: Ground beef is browned and simmered with sauteed zucchini and grape tomatoes for a fast, saucy one-pan skillet dinner. Serve over rice or with bread on the side.
Sale items used: Fresh 85/15 Ground Beef, Organic Zucchini, Cherub Grape Tomatoes
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 2 lb ground beef, 0.75 lb organic zucchini, one 10-oz pkg Cherub Grape Tomatoes halved, for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Skillet Beef and Zucchini with Grape Tomatoes
- Zucchini Beef Skillet Recipe: How to Make It
- Easy Ground Beef and Zucchini Skillet (20-Minute Recipe!)

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Red Cabbage and German Bread
Description: Boneless center cut pork chops are pan-seared until golden and served with warmed Deutsche Kuche Red Cabbage with Apple and slices of German bread. A comforting, classic German-style dinner.
Sale items used: Fresh Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops, Deutsche Kuche Red Cabbage with Apple, Deutsche Kuche German Bread
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 2 lb pork chops, 1 jar Deutsche Kuche Red Cabbage with Apple warmed, 1 loaf Deutsche Kuche German Bread sliced, for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Pork Chops With Red Cabbage Recipe - That's Nerdalicious
- Stovetop Pork Chops with Cabbage and Apples
- Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Apple-Cabbage Noodles

Thursday
Meal: Seared Carne Picada Tacos with Grape Tomatoes
Description: Pre-cut Black Angus carne picada is quickly seared in a hot skillet and piled into warm tortillas with fresh grape tomatoes. A fast, flavorful weeknight taco night.
Sale items used: Fresh Black Angus Carne Picada, Cherub Grape Tomatoes
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 2 lb carne picada, one 10-oz pkg Cherub Grape Tomatoes diced, tortillas from pantry staples, for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Slow-Cooker Carne Picada Tacos with Avocado Salsa
- Carne Picada - Mexican braised beef and veggies in a rich, savory sauce!
- Easy Carne Picada Recipe - Perfect for Tacos and Burrito Bowls

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Eye of Round Steak with Roasted Pears and Gala Apples
Description: Eye of round steak is seared hot and sliced thin against the grain, plated with roasted Washington organic pears and gala apples for a sweet-savory finish. This lean cut benefits from slicing thin and resting before serving.
Sale items used: Fresh Black Angus Eye of Round, Washington Organic Pears, New York Gala Apples
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: 2 lb eye of round steak, 1 pkg (2 lb) Washington Organic Pears halved and roasted, half of a 3-lb bag New York Gala Apples sliced and roasted, for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Pan-Seared Garlic-Rosemary Round Steak Recipe - Mashed
- Eye of Round Steak Recipe - Recipes.net
- 18 Delicious Simple Eye of Round Steak Recipes for Beginners - Simply Family Recipes

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Farmer Focus Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Whole Chicken Wings (2 lb): $3.38
- Inglehoffer Mustard (1 each): $2.84
- Organic Zucchini (1.5 lb): $3.59
- Fresh 85/15 Ground Beef (2 lb): $11.98
- Cherub Grape Tomatoes (2 packs): $3.98
- Fresh Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops (2 lb): $7.98
- Deutsche Kuche Red Cabbage with Apple (1 each): $2.49
- Deutsche Kuche German Bread (1 each): $2.69
- Fresh Black Angus Carne Picada (2 lb): $13.98
- Fresh Black Angus Eye of Round (2 lb): $14.98
- Washington Organic Pears (1 pkg): $3.29
- New York Gala Apples (1 bag): $1.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Cooking oil
- Salt and pepper
- Tortillas
- Rice (optional, for Tuesday)