Aldi Vegan Budget-Smart Weekly Cheap High-Protein Plan — 1,800 kcal
Maximum protein on a tight budget. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 101g of protein, built around Aldi's Everyday Essentials for an estimated £30–55/week. Every meal already carries at least one lower-calorie swap — cauliflower rice, extra tofu or pulses instead of extra carbs, lighter plant milks — to keep calories down without cutting protein.
Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
1801 kcal per person116g protein · 242g carbs per person
Breakfast393 kcal · 34g protein · 13g carbs · 12 min
Tofu Scramble with Peppers
Made with firm tofu, mixed peppers, turmeric.
Recipe
Ingredients
200g firm tofu
¾ pepper
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp cumin
1 tsp olive oil
Allergens in this meal: Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Chop the mixed peppers. Heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan and cook the peppers for 3-4 minutes, until softening.
Crumble the firm tofu into the pan, add the turmeric and cumin, and cook the tofu, stirring, for 5-6 minutes until hot through and lightly golden.
Season to taste and serve.
Lunch515 kcal · 27g protein · 81g carbs · 12 min
Edamame and Soba Noodle Salad
Made with soba noodles, edamame beans, cucumber.
Recipe
Ingredients
80g soba noodles (dry weight)
100g edamame beans
½ cucumber
1 red pepper
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp ginger
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the noodles according to their packet instructions, then drain and cool slightly.
Slice or chop cucumber and red pepper. Cook edamame beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then drain.
Arrange the cooked soba noodles, edamame beans, cucumber and red pepper in a bowl and finish with soy sauce, sesame oil and ginger.
Dinner596 kcal · 28g protein · 115g carbs · 25 min
Chickpea and Sweet Potato Stew
Made with tinned chickpeas, sweet potato, tinned tomatoes.
Recipe
Ingredients
¾ of a standard tin of chickpeas, drained
1 medium sweet potato
1 standard tin of tomatoes
3 generous handfuls spinach (about 100g)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
Method
Peel and chop medium sweet potato into even pieces. Drain and rinse chickpeas.
Heat a large pan over medium heat and soften medium sweet potato for 5-7 minutes.
Stir in cumin and paprika, then add chickpeas, tomatoes and spinach and simmer gently until tender and thickened.
Taste, season and portion for serving.
Snack297 kcal · 27g protein · 33g carbs · 5 min
Pea Protein Green Smoothie
Made with pea protein powder, oat milk, spinach.
Recipe
Ingredients
30g pea protein powder
250ml oat milk
1 generous handful spinach (about 30g)
1 banana
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten. Check the label for: Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Put pea protein powder, oat milk, spinach and banana in a blender, or in a jug if you are using a stick blender.
Blend until completely smooth, adding a small splash of water or milk only if needed.
Estimated cost: £30–55/week for 1 person from Aldi. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
0 of 52 items tickedSaved on this device
Protein
Carbs & Grains
Vegetables
Dairy & Eggs
Fruit
Herbs & Spices
Condiments & Oils
Tins & Jars
Extras
Sponsored #ad - container setup
Container setup for this plan
This plan has about 14 prep-friendly meals. Start with 8 main containers, 3 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 2 five-container glass packs to provide at least 8 main meal spaces, then add the separate small tubs shown above.
RecommendedMid-range glass setup
Best for regular weekday lunches, reheating at work, curry, chilli, pasta, and repeat washing.
Material
Glass
Price and availability
Check Amazon UK before buying
This plan includes saucy or reheated meals, so choose containers with secure, leak-resistant lids. If using plastic, check that it is suitable for reheating and follow the product instructions.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability can change on Amazon UK.
The One Tool This Plan Assumes
The protein and calorie figures on this plan are calculated from weighed portions. Estimating by eye is where most high-protein plans quietly drift, so a set of digital scales is the difference between following this plan and approximating it. Any scale works — this is simply a cheap, accurate one.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability can change on Amazon UK.
Kitchen scaleBudget
Salter Arc Digital Kitchen Scale
A slim, add-and-weigh digital scale with a 3kg capacity, useful for portioning rice, protein and vegetables precisely rather than guessing by eye.
Best forWeighing portions accurately for calorie or macro tracking
Good to knowNo liquid measurement mode; for sauces and liquids, a scale with an Aquatronic function is more useful.
A limited-range discounter: fewer lines per category, but consistently among the cheapest UK baskets.
Value rangeEveryday Essentials
What Aldi is good for here
Cheap frozen vegetables and fruit, which keep weekly costs stable.
Worth knowing before you shop
Ranges rotate and stock varies by store, so plan a fallback for any single named product.
Fewer speciality and free-from lines than the big four, which matters for restrictive diets.
Retailer details checked 2026-07-20. Ranges and loyalty schemes change — the weekly cost estimate above is based on the plan's budget tier, not on live prices at this store.
Swaps & Suggestions
💰 Make it cheaper
Buy Aldi's Everyday Essentials range for rice, pasta, oats and tins — nutritionally identical to standard lines, at the lowest price point in store
Buy dried pulses (lentils, chickpeas, black beans) and cook in bulk rather than tinned — cheaper per portion
Swap fresh berries for frozen mixed berries (same nutrients, fraction of the cost)
Stir a scoop of plant protein into porridge, oats or a smoothie for an easy 20g
Add extra firm tofu, tempeh or edamame to any bowl or stir-fry
💪 Increase protein
Swap a carb side for extra lean protein when a meal feels short on fullness
Stir a scoop of plant protein into porridge, oats or a smoothie for an easy 20g
Add extra firm tofu, tempeh or edamame to any bowl or stir-fry
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this cheap high protein plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Aldi and is estimated at £30–55 per week for one person at typical UK prices, depending on what you already have at home. Buying in bulk and choosing own-brand items can reduce this further.
How much protein does this plan provide per day?
This plan averages 101g of protein per day across the week, based on the meals actually selected — in line with general UK guidance of roughly 0.8–1.6g per kg of bodyweight for active adults.
How is this different from a generic cheap high protein plan?
Plenty of cheap high protein plans share the same 1,800 kcal target — the difference here is that each meal already has a lower-calorie substitution built in, rather than leaving that to you.
Can I print this cheap high protein meal plan or save it as a PDF?
Yes. Use the export / print PDF button on the plan page. The printable version summarises all 7 days at 1,800 kcal/day, the Aldi shopping list, and your chosen household portion sizes.
Is this plan suitable for meal prep?
Most recipes in this plan scale well and reheat easily. Soups, stews, and grain dishes are ideal for making in larger batches to save time midweek.
Is this plan suitable for vegan eaters?
Yes. Every meal in this plan is vegan, using ingredients readily available from Aldi.