Aldi Low-Fuss Weekly Cheap Student Plan — 2,000 kcal

Free printable UK cheap student meal plan for Aldi: 7 days at ~2,000 kcal/day, £20–30/week estimate, macros and shopping list.

SupermarketAldi
Calorie target~2000 kcal/day
Weekly budget£20–30
Prep difficultyMinimal (under 10 min/day)
Best forStudents on a tight budget
DietAll diets

Estimated daily macros

Protein
90g
Carbs
210g
Fats
70g
Fibre
25g

Plan Quick Facts

Best forStudents on a tight budget
Calories~2000 kcal/day
Budget£20–30/week estimate
Prep styleMinimal (under 10 min/day)
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

2000 kcal139g protein
Breakfast389 kcal · 30g protein · 12 min

Tofu Scramble with Peppers

Made with firm tofu, mixed peppers, turmeric. Ready in 12 min — 389 kcal, 30g protein.

Recipe
  1. Prepare the ingredients: Firm tofu 270g, Mixed peppers 135g, Turmeric 0.75 tsp, Cumin 0.75 tsp, Olive oil 1.25 tsp.
  2. Cook the eggs in a non-stick pan over medium heat, stirring or folding gently.
  3. Serve with the listed bread, vegetables, or toppings.
Lunch483 kcal · 32g protein · 20 min

Vegetable Frittata Slice with Green Salad

Made with eggs, courgette, red pepper. Ready in 20 min — 483 kcal, 32g protein.

Recipe
  1. Wash and chop the salad or vegetable ingredients: Eggs 4, Courgette 1, Red pepper 1, Onion 3/4, Olive oil 1.25 tsp, Mixed leaves 80g.
  2. Cook or warm any protein or grains listed, then let them cool slightly.
  3. Combine everything in a bowl, season, and pack dressing separately if meal prepping.
Dinner564 kcal · 21g protein · 25 min

Chickpea and Sweet Potato Stew

Made with tinned chickpeas, sweet potato, tinned tomatoes. Ready in 25 min — 564 kcal, 21g protein.

Recipe
  1. Prep the listed ingredients: Tinned chickpeas 270g, Sweet potato 340g, Tinned tomatoes 525g, Spinach 135g, Cumin 1.25 tsp, Paprika 1.25 tsp.
  2. Cook the protein and firmer vegetables in a pan for 5-8 minutes.
  3. Add sauces, tins, stock, or pulses from the ingredient list and simmer until hot and thickened.
Snack282 kcal · 32g protein · 5 min

Pea Protein Green Smoothie

Made with pea protein powder, oat milk, spinach. Ready in 5 min — 282 kcal, 32g protein.

Recipe
  1. Add Pea protein powder 40g, Oat milk 340ml, Spinach 40g, Banana 3/4 to a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth, adding a splash more milk or water if needed.
  3. Pour into a glass or shaker and serve cold.
Snack282 kcal · 24g protein · 5 min

Smoked Mackerel Pâté on Oatcakes

Made with smoked mackerel fillet, light cream cheese, lemon juice. Ready in 5 min — 282 kcal, 24g protein.

Recipe
  1. Lay out the ingredients: Smoked mackerel fillet 105g, Light cream cheese 25g, Lemon juice 1.25 tsp, Oatcakes 4.
  2. Drain, slice, or portion anything that needs preparing.
  3. Assemble in a bowl or container, season, and eat cold or microwave until hot if preferred.

Weekly Shopping List

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

Protein

  • Firm tofu 270g
  • Eggs 4
  • Tinned chickpeas 270g
  • Smoked mackerel fillet 105g
  • Salmon fillet 170g
  • Quorn mince 235g
  • Chicken thighs 260g
  • Smoked salmon 95g
  • Lean beef strips 180g
  • Lean beef mince 210g
  • Mackerel fillet 210g
  • Tinned sardines in spring water 105g

Carbs & Grains

  • Oatcakes 4
  • Brown rice 100g dry
  • Rice cakes 3
  • Wholemeal pitta 1
  • Wholemeal pasta 105g dry
  • Oat biscuits 5
  • Rolled oats 65g
  • Wholemeal bread 2 slices
  • New potatoes 290g

Vegetables

  • Mixed peppers 135g
  • Courgette 1
  • Red pepper 1
  • Onion 3/4
  • Sweet potato 340g
  • Tinned tomatoes 525g
  • Spinach 135g
  • Pea protein powder 40g
  • Baby spinach 70g
  • Cucumber 55g
  • Celery sticks 5
  • Tomato 1
  • Onion 1
  • Courgette 1 roasted
  • Red pepper 1 roasted
  • Mushrooms 260g
  • Frozen peas 130g
  • Red onion half
  • Romaine lettuce leaves 5
  • Spring onion 2

Dairy & Eggs

  • Oat milk 340ml
  • Light cream cheese 25g
  • Almond butter 1.25 tbsp
  • Cottage cheese 115g
  • Peanut butter 1.25 tbsp
  • Halloumi 120g
  • Butter 6g
  • Tinned coconut milk light 225ml
  • Low-fat Greek yogurt 170g

Extras & Condiments

  • Turmeric 0.75 tsp
  • Cumin 0.75 tsp
  • Olive oil 1.25 tsp
  • Mixed leaves 80g
  • Paprika 1.25 tsp
  • Banana 3/4
  • Lemon juice 1.25 tsp
  • Quinoa 90g dry
  • Lemon dressing 15g
  • Pumpkin seeds 10g
  • Lean sirloin steak 250g
  • Falafel 5 baked
  • Hummus 45g
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Mixed herbs 1.25 tsp
  • Mixed nuts 35g
  • Raisins 25g
  • Balsamic glaze 1.25 tsp
  • Wholemeal couscous 95g dry
  • Ras el hanout 2.25 tsp
  • Lemon 1
  • Banana half
  • Vegetable stock 775ml
  • Parmesan 25g
  • Honey 1.25 tbsp
  • Chia seeds 1.25 tsp
  • Balsamic dressing 15g
  • Mixed frozen veg 225g
  • Curry paste 35g
  • Frozen mixed berries 90g
  • Soy sauce 1.25 tbsp
  • Ginger 1.25 tsp
  • Mustard dressing 25g
  • Watercress 45g
  • Rye crackers 5

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?

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 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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