Lidl Vegetarian Low-Fuss Weekly Cheap Student Plan — 1,800 kcal
Students on a tight budget. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 85g of protein, built around Lidl's Simply / own-brand core range for an estimated £35–60/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.
Plan summary
Individual days vary around these figures.
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We'll send: Lidl Vegetarian Low-Fuss Weekly Cheap Student Plan — 1,800 kcal
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Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
Banana and Date Smoothie Bowl with Seeds
Made with banana, medjool dates, oat milk.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 bananas
- 2 Medjool dates
- 70ml oat milk
- ¾ tbsp hemp seeds
- 15g low-sugar granola
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten. Check the label for: Milk, Tree nuts, Peanuts, Sesame, Soybeans, Sulphur dioxide and sulphites. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Put bananas, Medjool dates and oat milk 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.
- Pour into a bowl and top with hemp seeds and low-sugar granola, then serve cold.
Lentil and Roasted Vegetable Soup
Made with green lentils, courgette, red pepper.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 70g green lentils
- 1 courgette
- 1 red pepper
- ¾ onion
- 350ml vegetable stock
- ¾ tsp cumin
Check the label for: Celery, Cereals containing gluten, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Peel and chop onion, courgette and red pepper into even pieces.
- Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and roast courgette and red pepper for 25-30 minutes, until tender and caramelised at the edges. Meanwhile soften onion in a large pan over medium heat.
- Stir in vegetable stock and cumin, then add green lentils and simmer gently until tender and thickened.
- Taste, season and portion for serving.
Chickpea and Spinach Coconut Curry
Made with tinned chickpeas, baby spinach, coconut milk light.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1¼ standard tins of chickpeas, drained
- 4 generous handfuls baby spinach (about 100g)
- 150ml light coconut milk
- 150g tomatoes
- ¾ onion
- 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp curry paste
- 60g brown rice (dry weight)
Check the label for: Cereals containing gluten, Fish, Mustard, Tree nuts. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Peel and chop onion into even pieces. Drain and rinse chickpeas.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat and soften onion for 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in light coconut milk and curry paste, then add chickpeas, baby spinach and tomatoes and simmer gently until tender and thickened.
- Meanwhile, cook the rice according to its packet instructions, then drain and serve alongside.
Chocolate Protein Shake
Made with whey protein powder, semi-skimmed milk.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 20g whey protein powder
- 225ml semi-skimmed milk
Allergens in this meal: Milk. Check the label for: Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Pour the semi-skimmed milk into a shaker, add the whey protein powder and shake hard for 20-30 seconds until smooth.
- Drink straight away.
Weekly Shopping List
Need containers for this batch? Compare meal prep containers →
Estimated cost: £35–60/week for 1 person from Lidl. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
Protein
Carbs & Grains
Vegetables
Dairy & Eggs
Fruit
Herbs & Spices
Condiments & Oils
Tins & Jars
Extras
Container setup for this plan
This plan has about 21 prep-friendly meals. Start with 11 main containers, 5 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 3 five-container glass packs to provide at least 11 main meal spaces, then add the separate small tubs shown above.
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.
Plan Details and Assumptions
Lidl Shopping Evidence Notes
These basket notes explain why this plan is shaped around certain ingredients and swaps before you open the shopping list.
- Best for budget weeks built around simple staples, freezer vegetables, tins, yogurt, eggs and own-brand grains.
- Choose flexible recipes because some limited-time ranges can rotate quickly.
- For batch cooking, buy the core protein and carbohydrate first, then adapt vegetables to what is available.
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.
| Decision | This plan uses | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Calorie target | Built around roughly 1,800 kcal per day | Moderate targets balance breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks without extreme restriction. |
| Supermarket | Lidl | Lidl pages work best with simple staples, rotating offers and flexible protein swaps. |
| Budget | £35–60/week estimate | Very cheap plans repeat staples and avoid niche products. |
| Prep style | Minimal (under 10 min/day) | Minimal-prep plans use more assembly meals, ready-to-eat staples and short cooking steps. |
Shopping This Plan At Lidl
The other major discounter, closely matched with Aldi on basket price and similarly limited in range.
What Lidl is good for here
- Strong bakery and fresh produce for the price point.
- Vemondo plant-based range makes vegan and vegetarian weeks cheaper than at most mainstream stores.
Worth knowing before you shop
- Middle-aisle stock is not reliable for weekly planning — treat it as a bonus, not a staple.
- Store-to-store availability varies more than at the big four.
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 Lidl's Simply / own-brand core range 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 student plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Lidl and is estimated at £35–60 per week for one person at typical UK prices, depending on what you already have at home. Lidl Plus (app coupons and spend rewards) can reduce this further.
How much protein does this plan provide per day?
This plan averages 85g 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 student plan?
Plenty of cheap student 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 student 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 Lidl 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 Lidl.
Feedback
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