Aldi Vegetarian Simple Prep Cheap High-Protein Plan — 1,800 kcal

Maximum protein on a tight budget. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 124g of protein, built around Aldi's Everyday Essentials for an estimated £40–75/week. Meals need close to no active cooking — assemble-and-eat, one-pan or ready-to-eat combinations — so the plan stays realistic on the busiest days.

Your week at a glance

Plan summary

1 person
SupermarketAldi
GoalCheap High Protein
Weekly cost£40–75/week estimate
Daily average across the 7 days
1,807 kcal124g protein242g carbs40g fat49g fibre

Individual days vary around these figures.

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Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions

Your 7-Day Meal Plan

Monday

1800 kcal per person118g protein · 232g carbs per person
Breakfast315 kcal · 22g protein · 33g carbs · 3 min

Skyr with Walnuts, Honey and Banana

Made with skyr, walnuts, banana.

Recipe
Ingredients
  • 175g skyr
  • 15g walnuts
  • 1 banana
  • ¾ tsp honey

Allergens in this meal: Milk, Tree nuts. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.

Method
  1. Slice or portion banana as needed.
  2. Combine skyr, walnuts, banana and honey in a bowl or lidded container.
Lunch643 kcal · 35g protein · 68g carbs · 20 min

Baked Tofu and Tahini Buddha Bowl

Made with firm tofu, brown rice, roasted mixed veg.

Recipe
Ingredients
  • 150g firm tofu
  • 70g brown rice (dry weight)
  • 125g roasted mixed veg
  • 1 tbsp tahini
  • lemon juice, to taste
  • ¾ tsp sesame seeds

Allergens in this meal: Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.

Method
  1. Cook the rice according to its packet instructions, then drain and cool slightly.
  2. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan. Bake the tofu for 12-18 minutes, until cooked through and it flakes or slices easily.
  3. Arrange firm tofu, the cooked brown rice, roasted mixed veg and sesame seeds in a bowl and finish with tahini and lemon juice, to taste.
Dinner568 kcal · 43g protein · 90g carbs · 25 min

Quorn Mince Bolognese with Wholemeal Pasta

Made with quorn mince, wholemeal pasta, tinned tomatoes.

Recipe
Ingredients
  • 175g Quorn mince
  • 80g wholemeal pasta (dry weight)
  • ¾ of a standard tin of tomatoes
  • ¾ onion
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • ¾ tsp mixed herbs

Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten. Check the label for: Eggs, Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.

Method
  1. Cook the pasta according to its packet instructions, then drain if needed.
  2. Meanwhile, cook the quorn in a non-stick pan over medium heat until cooked through. Add tomatoes, onion and garlic and cook until tender.
  3. Fold the cooked pasta through the pan, stir in mixed herbs, and heat through before serving.
Snack274 kcal · 18g protein · 41g carbs · 5 min

Mini Protein Overnight Oats

Made with rolled oats, skyr, semi-skimmed milk.

Recipe
Ingredients
  • 30g rolled oats
  • 90g skyr
  • 85ml semi-skimmed milk
  • 1 banana

Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.

Method
  1. Stir rolled oats and semi-skimmed milk together in a lidded jar or container.
  2. Stir well, cover and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  3. Stir again before eating, then add skyr and banana. Loosen with a splash of semi-skimmed milk if needed.

Weekly Shopping List

Need containers for this batch? Compare meal prep containers →

Estimated cost: £40–75/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

Plant-based meal prep containers with tofu, chickpeas, lentils, grains and vegetables
Sponsored #ad - container setup

Container setup for this plan

This plan has about 18 prep-friendly meals. Start with 10 main containers, 4 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.

Use 2 five-container glass packs to provide at least 10 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.

See Amazon price →
Plan Details and Assumptions

Aldi Shopping Evidence Notes

These basket notes explain why this plan is shaped around certain ingredients and swaps before you open the shopping list.

  • Batch-cook plans suit Aldi well because fewer niche products means fewer swaps when ranges change.
  • Use the same protein across lunches or dinners if a pack size is larger than one meal needs.

The Assumptions Behind This Plan

Every plan is built on four decisions. If one of them does not match your week, that is the part to change - the swaps below cover the common cases.

DecisionThis plan usesWhy it matters
Calorie targetBuilt around roughly 1,800 kcal per dayModerate targets balance breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks without extreme restriction.
SupermarketAldiAldi pages lean on own-brand staples, simple proteins, frozen veg and budget-friendly repeats.
Budget£40–75/week estimateVery cheap plans repeat staples and avoid niche products.
Prep styleLow (10–20 min/day)Low-effort plans keep daily cooking short while preserving enough variety.

Shopping This Plan At Aldi

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.
  • Own-brand dairy — Greek-style yogurt, cottage cheese, skyr — at discounter prices.

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)
  • 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

  • Add cottage cheese or a protein yogurt as a snack — no cooking, no extra washing up
  • A ready-made protein shake covers a gap without adding a single extra step
  • 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 £40–75 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 124g 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 meals are filtered for near-zero active cooking time, not just for being quick recipes.

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.

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