Welcome back to week 3 of our £25 Aldi Weekly Meal Plan series! This installment offers you another set of five dinner recipes that are both easy to prepare and gentle on your budget, complete with a handy, free shopping list. These straightforward, economical meals are perfect for anyone in search of quick and cost-effective dinner options. Our plan is designed to let you enjoy savoury, nutritious meals with minimal fuss and maximum savings!
Jump to:
To get the most out of your weekly meal plan, be sure to check your fridge and cupboards for any ingredients or pantry staples that you may already have. If you're new to budget meal planning, our beginner's guide to meal planning is an excellent starting point. If you're looking to get some ideas or inspiration you can see our collection of incredible pasta recipes, vegetarian recipes or these one pot recipes for when you need to make it fast! And don't forget to take a look at our previous £25 meal plans or our weekly meal plans for more inspiration.
Find week 1 & 2 below
This week's budget meal plan recipes
Each shopping list, organised by recipe, enables you to easily cross off any unnecessary ingredients, thus ensuring you don't overlook anything important.
Recipe Notes
- Meatballs- you can use the mix of pork and beef that's available or, you can opt for all beef, pork or turkey. The turkey will increase the cost, but the recipe is very flexible.
- Sweet n Sour Chicken- Investing in chicken breast for this recipe is really important. The texture is far better in this recipe than using chicken thighs.
- Roasted Red Pepper Soup- I serve this soup with my homemade bread recipe for the perfect light but comforting dinner. You can also make cheese scones or some 2 ingredient naan bread.
- Pasta alla Norma- This recipe has a herbed sourdough crumb for a topping. This is completely optional, and the recipe is great without it. So if you feel you don't have the time for it, then skip it.
- Coconut chicken curry- This is one of the most popular recipes on the website, and it has great feedback. Serve it with homemade naan bread or add in extra spinach.
How to use this meal plan
Getting Started:
- Review the Recipes: Start by looking over this week's meal plan. Get familiar with the recipes and the cooking processes involved.
- Check Your Pantry: Before heading to Aldi, check your pantry for staples you already have. It's a great way to avoid buying duplicates and save money.
- Print the Shopping List: Our itemized shopping list is your best friend. It categorizes ingredients by recipe, making your shopping trip efficient and hassle-free.
- Prep Ahead: Identify any meal components you can prepare in advance. Chopping veggies or marinating meats ahead can save you precious time during busy weeknights. *See the prep sheet for any tips and tricks.
How to use this meal plan
Getting Started:
- Review the Recipes: Start by looking over this week's meal plan. Get familiar with the recipes and the cooking processes involved.
- Check Your Pantry: Before heading to Aldi, check your pantry for staples you already have. It's a great way to avoid buying duplicates and save money.
- Print the Shopping List: Our itemized shopping list is your best friend. It categorizes ingredients by recipe, making your shopping trip efficient and hassle-free.
- Prep Ahead: Identify any meal components you can prepare in advance. Chopping veggies or marinating meats ahead can save you precious time during busy weeknights. *See the prep sheet for any tips and tricks.
During the Week:
- Follow the Recipes: Each recipe comes with easy-to-follow steps. Don't worry if you're new to cooking – these are beginner-friendly!
- Storing Leftovers: Our tip sheet includes advice on how to properly store and reheat leftovers, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
- Be Flexible: Feel free to swap meals based on your schedule or cravings. Our plan is designed for flexibility!
End of the Week:
- Review and Reflect: What worked well? What didn't? Your feedback is valuable for future planning.
- Share Your Experience: Join our Facebook Group and share your thoughts, photos, and tips with our community of budget-savvy cooks.
FAQ'S
Absolutely! We design our recipes to be straightforward and easy to follow. Whether a kitchen novice or a seasoned cook, these recipes are manageable and delicious.
Absolutely! Feel free to mix and match recipes to suit your taste and needs. For just that reason, we design each meal plan to be flexible.
Absolutely! We design our meal plans to be flexible. Feel free to substitute ingredients for dietary restrictions (like gluten-free or vegan options) or personal taste preferences. We encourage creativity in the kitchen; all the recipes have notes on substitutions and variations.
For more recipe ideas, follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, and join our exclusive Facebook group.
For meal planning assistance, check out our weekly Aldi-only meal plans, free for subscribers. Or, learn to craft your own plans with our quick meal planning course featuring these recipes.
Craving more comfort food? Visit our sister site, Salted Mint, for easy, delicious recipes with everyday ingredients.
Meet the Chef!
Hi, I'm Debs—a Cordon Bleu-trained chef. I help you get incredible dinners on the table fast with fool-proof recipes and meal plans designed for tiny budgets! Easy recipes with step-by-step instructions and tips and tricks I've learned over a 10-year career in professional kitchens.
Annie Irwin
Thank you for taking the time to produce these weekly recipes.
I really love all these recipes and the fact it has saved me both in money and waste.