Aldi Cook-Once Weekly Cheap Student Plan — 1,500 kcal

Free printable UK cheap student meal plan for Aldi: 7 days at ~1,500 kcal/day, £20–30/week estimate, macros and shopping list.

SupermarketAldi
Calorie target~1500 kcal/day
Weekly budget£20–30
Prep difficultyBatch cook (prep on Sunday)
Best forStudents on a tight budget
DietAll diets

Estimated daily macros

Protein
130g
Carbs
200g
Fats
60g
Fibre
35g

Plan Quick Facts

Best forStudents on a tight budget
Calories~1500 kcal/day
Budget£20–30/week estimate
Prep styleBatch cook (prep on Sunday)
Includes7 days, recipes, macros, PDF export and shopping list
DietAll diets

Export This Meal Plan as a PDF

Print this 7-day meal plan or save it as a PDF. The printable meal plan summary includes every meal, daily calories, protein totals and the full weekly shopping list.

7-day meal plan

Weekly shopping list

Your 7-Day Meal Plan

Monday

1500 kcal108g protein
Breakfast352 kcal · 8g protein · 5 min

Smashed Avocado on Rye Toast with Cherry Tomatoes

Made with rye bread, avocado half, cherry tomatoes. Ready in 5 min — 352 kcal, 8g protein.

Recipe
  1. Toast or warm the bread, bagel, wrap, or pitta if preferred.
  2. Prepare the filling ingredients: Rye bread 2 slices, Avocado half, Cherry tomatoes 7, Lemon juice 1.25 tsp, Chilli flakes pinch.
  3. Layer the filling evenly, season to taste, and serve or wrap tightly for later.
Lunch546 kcal · 48g protein · 30 min

Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Root Vegetables

Made with pork tenderloin, parsnip, carrot. Ready in 30 min — 546 kcal, 48g protein.

Recipe
  1. Prepare the ingredients: Pork tenderloin 205g, Parsnip 115g, Carrot 115g, Sweet potato 115g, Olive oil 1.25 tbsp, Mixed herbs 1.25 tsp.
  2. Cook the main protein or vegetables in a pan over medium heat until cooked through.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients, heat until piping hot, season to taste, and serve.
Dinner602 kcal · 52g protein · 35 min

Chicken Tagine with Wholemeal Couscous

Made with chicken thighs, wholemeal couscous, tinned tomatoes. Ready in 35 min — 602 kcal, 52g protein.

Recipe
  1. Prepare the ingredients: Chicken thighs 250g, Wholemeal couscous 90g dry, Tinned tomatoes 225g, Tinned chickpeas 115g, Onion 1, Ras el hanout 2.25 tsp, Lemon 1.
  2. Cook the main protein or vegetables in a pan over medium heat until cooked through.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients, heat until piping hot, season to taste, and serve.

Weekly Shopping List

Estimated cost: £20–30/week for one person from Aldi.

Protein

  • Pork tenderloin 205g
  • Chicken thighs 250g
  • Tinned chickpeas 115g
  • King prawns 220g
  • Chicken breast 210g
  • Firm tofu 235g
  • Mackerel fillet 225g
  • Black beans tinned 270g
  • Chicken stock 925ml
  • Red lentils 100g
  • Cod fillet 250g

Carbs & Grains

  • Rye bread 2 slices
  • Brown rice 100g dry
  • New potatoes 310g
  • Wholemeal roll 1
  • Rolled oats 80g
  • Wholemeal pasta 80g dry
  • Wholemeal pitta 1

Vegetables

  • Avocado half
  • Cherry tomatoes 7
  • Parsnip 115g
  • Carrot 115g
  • Sweet potato 115g
  • Tinned tomatoes 225g
  • Onion 1
  • Baby spinach 75g
  • Mushrooms 245g
  • Frozen peas 125g
  • Broccoli 235g
  • Spring onion 4
  • Avocado 3/4
  • Sweetcorn 80g
  • Celery 3 stalks
  • Courgette 1 roasted
  • Red pepper 1 roasted

Dairy & Eggs

  • Tinned coconut milk light 235ml
  • Semi-skimmed milk 200ml
  • Cottage cheese 250g

Extras & Condiments

  • Lemon juice 1.25 tsp
  • Chilli flakes pinch
  • Olive oil 1.25 tbsp
  • Mixed herbs 1.25 tsp
  • Wholemeal couscous 90g dry
  • Ras el hanout 2.25 tsp
  • Lemon 1
  • Garlic 4 cloves
  • Vegetable stock 750ml
  • Parmesan 25g
  • Soy sauce 1.25 tbsp
  • Mixed frozen veg 235g
  • Curry paste 35g
  • Mixed leaves 100g
  • Lemon dressing 20g
  • Mustard dressing 25g
  • Watercress 50g
  • Salsa 65g
  • Coriander fresh
  • Lime juice
  • Banana 1
  • Honey 1 tsp
  • Green pesto 25g
  • Lean lamb shoulder 200g
  • Cinnamon 1 tsp
  • Cumin 1 tsp
  • Green beans 185g
  • Parsley

Swaps & Suggestions

💰 Make it cheaper

  • Replace fresh salmon with tinned mackerel or sardines in brine (saves ~£2–3/week)
  • Buy store-brand rolled oats, rice, and pasta — nutritionally identical to branded
  • Use frozen chicken breast instead of fresh (saves ~£1.50/week, same protein)
  • Swap fresh berries for frozen mixed berries (same nutrients, fraction of the cost)
  • Buy pulses (lentils, chickpeas, black beans) dried and cook in bulk

💪 Increase protein

  • Add a scoop of unflavoured whey or plant protein to porridge or smoothies
  • Replace rice or pasta with extra protein (an additional chicken breast or 2 boiled eggs)
  • Use Skyr or Quark instead of standard yogurt (roughly 2× the protein)
  • Add a hard-boiled egg as an afternoon snack on rest days
  • Swap rice cakes or crackers for a protein bar (aim for 20g+ protein, under 200 kcal)

🥦 Make it vegetarian

  • Replace chicken with Quorn fillets or diced firm tofu
  • Swap beef mince for tinned green lentils or plant-based mince
  • Use halloumi or feta instead of meat in lunch salads
  • Substitute eggs or cottage cheese for fish-based meals

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does this cheap student plan cost per week?

This plan is designed for Aldi and typically costs £20–30 per week for one person, depending on what you already have at home. Buying in bulk, choosing own-brand items, and batch cooking can reduce the cost further.

How much protein does this plan provide per day?

Protein is balanced across the week. Most days provide 100–130g, which meets general UK dietary guidelines for active adults.

Can I swap meals I don't like?

Yes. Use the AI edit button on any meal to swap it out. Common requests include swapping chicken for turkey, replacing salmon with tinned tuna, or making a day vegetarian. The shopping list updates automatically.

Can I print this cheap student meal plan or save it as a PDF?

Yes. Use the export / print PDF button on the plan page. The printable version summarises the full 7-day meal plan and includes the weekly shopping list.

Is this plan suitable for meal prep?

Yes — this plan is specifically designed for batch cooking. Prep everything on Sunday in 60–90 minutes and portion into containers for the week ahead.

Is this plan suitable for beginners?

Yes. The meals use widely available ingredients and straightforward cooking methods. No specialist equipment or culinary experience is needed.

Feedback

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