Food City Vegetarian Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This is a great week to lean into eggs, beans, and fresh local produce as your dinner anchors - they are genuinely cheap and the sale prices are strong. A dozen That's Smart! Eggs at $1.49 is one of the best deals on the flyer, and locally grown Half Runner Beans at $1.99/lb are a Southern summer staple that stretch beautifully into a hearty dinner. The Classico Pasta Sauce at $2.69 and Old El Paso Dinner Kits at 2/$5.00 give you two complete flavor platforms without spending extra on spice blends. Vine-ripened tomatoes at $1.99/lb anchor a fresh bruschetta-style dinner on sourdough, keeping one night nearly pantry-free. The Vegetable Kabobs at $6.99/lb are the one splurge night - they are the priciest protein-and-produce option among the vegetarian choices, but at roughly $3.50 per person they are still a reasonable treat, and they require zero prep since they are made in-store. The meat-heavy nature of this week's flyer actually works in your favor as a vegetarian shopper: you skip all the premium cuts entirely and build a varied, satisfying week well within budget.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Skillet-Scrambled Egg and Vine-Ripened Tomato Hash on Sourdough Toast
Description: Fresh vine-ripened tomatoes are diced and sauteed in a hot skillet with Vidalia onion until jammy, then eggs are scrambled directly into the pan and folded until just set. The hearty scramble is spooned over thick-cut slices of toasted Goldminer Sourdough Bread for a satisfying, protein-rich dinner.
Sale items used: That's Smart! Eggs (12 ct. Large White), Grainger County or Local Tomatoes (Vine Ripened), Vidalia Onions (Bland Farms) 3 lb., Goldminer Sourdough Bread 15-24 oz.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 8 eggs total (2 per person) from one dozen, about 1 lb of tomatoes, and roughly one-quarter of the Vidalia onion bag; toast 4 thick slices of sourdough bread. One loaf and one dozen eggs are sufficient for 4 people with no extra packages needed.

Tuesday
Meal: Simmered Half Runner Beans with Vidalia Onion and Cornbread
Description: Locally grown Half Runner Beans are simmered low and slow with sliced Vidalia onion, garlic, and a splash of broth until tender and deeply savory. A skillet of Food City Self-Rising Cornmeal Mix cornbread bakes alongside and is served in wedges for dipping and scooping.
Sale items used: Half Runner Beans (Locally Grown), Vidalia Onions (Bland Farms) 3 lb., Food City Self-Rising Cornmeal Mix 5 lb. (from 2/$5.00 deal)
Prep time: 55 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Half Runner Beans and about one-quarter of the onion bag; prepare one skillet of cornbread using roughly 2 cups of cornmeal mix from the 5 lb. bag. One bag of beans and one bag of cornmeal mix (purchased as a pair at 2/$5.00) cover the full meal for 4. Make-ahead note: beans can simmer up to 2 hours for deeper flavor; start them early and hold on low heat.

Check the label: broth is often made from chicken or beef. Vegetable broth is the safe choice.

Wednesday
Meal: Old El Paso Tostada Kit with Seasoned Black Beans, Tomato, and Sour Cream
Description: The Old El Paso Dinner Kit provides seasoned shells and spice blend, which are loaded with canned black beans cooked in the kit's seasoning, diced vine-ripened tomatoes, and a dollop of Daisy Sour Cream. Each person builds their own tostadas at the table for a fun, hands-on weeknight dinner.
Sale items used: Old El Paso Dinner Kits 5.4-13.25 oz. (2/$5.00), Grainger County or Local Tomatoes (Vine Ripened), Daisy Sour Cream 16 oz.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 2 Old El Paso Dinner Kits at 2/$5.00; use both kits to ensure enough shells and seasoning for 4 people. Use about 0.75 lb of tomatoes and one 16 oz. container of Daisy Sour Cream. Black beans are a pantry staple listed below.

Thursday
Meal: In-Store Vegetable Kabobs with Cottage Cheese Dipping Sauce and Saltine Crackers
Description: Food City's ready-made Vegetable Kabobs are grilled or broiled until charred and tender, served alongside a cool, herb-seasoned Mayfield Cottage Cheese dip that doubles as a protein-rich side. That's Smart! Saltine Crackers round out the plate for scooping and snacking.
Sale items used: Vegetable Kabobs (Made In-Store), Mayfield Cottage Cheese 24 oz., That's Smart! Saltine Crackers 16 oz.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 2 lbs of Vegetable Kabobs (0.5 lb per person) at $6.99/lb. One 24 oz. container of cottage cheese serves 4 as a dip. One 16 oz. box of saltines is more than enough for 4 people as a side cracker.

Friday
Meal: Bruschetta-Style Vine-Ripened Tomato and Cottage Cheese Toast on Sourdough
Description: Thick slices of Goldminer Sourdough Bread are toasted until golden, then topped with a generous layer of Mayfield Cottage Cheese and a spoonful of diced vine-ripened tomatoes seasoned with olive oil, garlic, and fresh basil. It is a bright, no-cook-topping dinner that celebrates peak-summer tomatoes with minimal effort.
Sale items used: Goldminer Sourdough Bread 15-24 oz., Grainger County or Local Tomatoes (Vine Ripened), Mayfield Cottage Cheese 24 oz.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 slices of sourdough per person (8 slices total) from one loaf; use about 1 lb of tomatoes and one 24 oz. container of cottage cheese split across 4 servings. One loaf and one container of cottage cheese are sufficient with no extra packages needed.
Recipes:
- Cottage Cheese Bruschetta - Knudsen

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- That's Smart! Eggs, 12 ct. Large White (x1 dozen): $1.49
- Grainger County or Local Tomatoes, Vine Ripened (2.75 lbs total across Mon, Wed, Fri): $5.47
- Goldminer Sourdough Bread, 15-24 oz. (x1 loaf, used Mon and Fri): $4.99
- Vidalia Onions (Bland Farms), 3 lb. (x1 bag, used Mon and Tue): $2.99
- Half Runner Beans (Locally Grown) (1.5 lbs): $2.99
- Food City Self-Rising Cornmeal Mix, 5 lb. and Food City Baking Flour, 5 lb. (2/$5.00 deal, 1 of each): $5.00
- Old El Paso Dinner Kits, 5.4-13.25 oz. (x2 kits at 2/$5.00): $5.00
- Daisy Sour Cream, 16 oz. (x1): $1.69
- Vegetable Kabobs (Made In-Store) (2 lbs at $6.99/lb): $13.98
- Mayfield Cottage Cheese, 24 oz. (x2 containers, used Thu and Fri): $7.98
- That's Smart! Saltine Crackers, 16 oz. (x1): $1.79

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or jarred)
- Salt and black pepper
- Dried herbs (basil, thyme, or Italian seasoning)
- Canned black beans (2 cans, for Wednesday tostadas)
- Vegetable broth or bouillon (for Tuesday beans)
- Butter or cooking spray (for cornbread skillet)