Aldi Cheap High-Protein Vegetarian Plan — 1,800 kcal
Maximum protein on a tight budget. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 121g of protein, built around Aldi's Everyday Essentials for an estimated £40–65/week. Protein comes from whole foods — eggs, dairy, pulses and tofu — rather than protein powders or bars, in line with the whole-food approach this plan takes throughout.
Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
1801 kcal per person122g protein · 200g carbs per person
Breakfast420 kcal · 27g protein · 39g carbs · 12 min
Eggs, Spinach and Mushroom on Toast
Made with eggs, baby spinach, mushrooms.
Recipe
Ingredients
2 eggs
2 generous handfuls baby spinach (about 50g)
100g mushrooms
2 slices of wholemeal bread
1 tsp olive oil
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Eggs. Check the label for: Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Slice or chop baby spinach and mushrooms, then cook them in olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat until softened.
Beat the eggs in a bowl, then add them to the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring gently until softly set.
Toast wholemeal bread, then serve with the eggs.
Lunch475 kcal · 35g protein · 66g carbs · 20 min
Cottage Cheese and Roasted Vegetable Bowl
Made with cottage cheese, courgette, red pepper.
Recipe
Ingredients
200g cottage cheese
1 courgette, roasted
1 red pepper, roasted
8 cherry tomatoes
1 tsp mixed herbs
1 wholemeal pitta
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Warm the roasted courgette and roasted red pepper through, or use them cold. Halve the cherry tomatoes.
Put the vegetables in a bowl, top with the cottage cheese and sprinkle over the mixed herbs.
Toast the wholemeal pitta, cut it into strips and serve alongside.
Dinner740 kcal · 45g protein · 94g carbs · 20 min
Teriyaki Tofu with Brown Rice and Broccoli
Made with firm tofu, brown rice, broccoli.
Recipe
Ingredients
200g firm tofu
90g brown rice (dry weight)
¾ small head of broccoli (about 200g)
2 tbsp plus 2 tsp teriyaki sauce
1 tsp sesame seeds
2 spring onions
Allergens in this meal: Sesame, Soybeans. Check the label for: Cereals containing gluten. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the rice according to its packet instructions, then drain if needed.
Meanwhile, cook the tofu in a non-stick pan over medium heat, stirring, until browned and hot through. Add a small head of broccoli and spring onions and cook until tender.
Fold the cooked rice through the pan, stir in teriyaki sauce, and heat through before serving with sesame seeds scattered over.
Snack166 kcal · 15g protein · 1g carbs · 10 min
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Made with eggs.
Recipe
Ingredients
2 eggs
Allergens in this meal: Eggs. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Bring a small pan of water to a gentle simmer.
Lower whole eggs into the water and simmer for 9-12 minutes, until the yolk is fully set, then cool under cold water and peel.
Estimated cost: £40–65/week for 1 person from Aldi. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
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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 17 prep-friendly meals. Start with 9 main containers, 4 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 2 five-container glass packs to provide at least 9 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.
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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.
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)
Add a couple of eggs or a portion of cottage cheese as a whole-food protein top-up
Use 0% fat Greek yogurt or quark in place of standard yogurt — same volume, far more protein
💪 Increase protein
Use extra eggs or cottage cheese as a whole-food protein top-up between meals
Swap a processed snack for a handful of nuts and a boiled egg to keep protein whole-food
Add a couple of eggs or a portion of cottage cheese as a whole-food protein top-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this cheap high protein plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Aldi and is estimated at £40–65 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 121g 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 protein comes from whole foods throughout, with no reliance on powders or bars.
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 vegetarian eaters?
Yes. Every meal in this plan is vegetarian, using ingredients readily available from Aldi.