Lidl Vegetarian Quick Shop Weekly Low Effort Plan — 1,800 kcal
Simple meals with minimal cooking. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 104g of protein, built around Lidl's Simply / own-brand core range for an estimated £40–70/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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Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
Soft Boiled Eggs with Wholemeal Toast
Made with eggs, wholemeal bread, butter.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 2 slices of wholemeal bread
- 5g butter
- black pepper, to taste
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Eggs, Milk. Check the label for: Sesame, Soybeans. 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 5-6 minutes, until the white is set but the yolk stays runny, then cool briefly under cold water and peel.
- Toast wholemeal bread, then serve with the eggs and butter and black pepper, to taste.
Baked Falafel and Salad Pitta
Made with falafel, wholemeal pitta, hummus.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 falafel, baked
- 1 wholemeal pitta
- 2 tbsp plus 1 tsp hummus
- 1 generous handful mixed leaves (about 40g)
- 1 tomato
- 4 cucumber slices
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Sesame. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Toast or warm wholemeal pitta.
- Warm the baked falafel through in a non-stick pan or oven until piping hot.
- Open the pitta into a pocket and fill it with baked falafel, hummus, mixed leaves, tomato and cucumber and season to taste.
Spinach and Ricotta Wholemeal Pasta
Made with ricotta, wholemeal pasta, baby spinach.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 90g ricotta
- 80g wholemeal pasta (dry weight)
- 5 generous handfuls baby spinach (about 150g)
- 2 garlic cloves
- 15g parmesan
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Milk. Check the label for: Eggs. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Cook the pasta according to its packet instructions, keeping a mug of the cooking water before you drain it.
- Meanwhile, gently cook the crushed garlic in the olive oil in a large pan for 1 minute, then add the baby spinach and stir until wilted.
- Stir in the ricotta with a splash of the pasta water to make a sauce, then toss through the drained pasta.
- Serve with the parmesan grated over.
Cottage Cheese with Cucumber
Made with cottage cheese, cucumber.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 150g cottage cheese
- ½ cucumber
Allergens in this meal: Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Slice or portion cucumber as needed.
- Put cucumber in a bowl or lidded container, adding cottage cheese just before eating.
Weekly Shopping List
Need containers for this batch? Compare meal prep containers →
Estimated cost: £40–70/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 | £40–70/week estimate | Very cheap plans repeat staples and avoid niche products. |
| Prep style | Low (10–20 min/day) | Low-effort plans keep daily cooking short while preserving enough variety. |
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 low effort plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Lidl and is estimated at £40–70 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 104g 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 low effort plan?
Plenty of low effort 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 low effort 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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