Since there has been interest on social medias, I figured I should break it down. So this is my shopping list when I’m prepping. I shop at Aldi, and my total cost at Aldi is around $75. Obviously, depending what you’re adding, where you’re at, what you might already have at home, etc- your prices may vary.
However, this list for me makes 33 meals… actually more, since most times I can’t eat things in one sitting so I put them in the fridge and reheat them later for another round, so for me, it’s doubled. Still, I’m not normal, so I’m calling it at 33 meals instead of 66 LOL
At that number, this breaks down to around $2.28 a meal.
—This is assuming you have some spices you like at home. I also omitted salsa, as I can my own so I always have some on hand and never buy store bought unless I run out before canning season and I’m desperate lol
If you’re making the pizzas as well, I suggest stopping at a Dollar Tree and grabbing a roll of aluminum foil and a pack of gallon size Ziploc freezer baggies. They are the cheapest there.
I also buy a huge bag of tortilla strips at Gordon’s Foods for $4.50 because they last forever and are so much more cost effective than the smaller bags at the grocery stores, but I know not everyone has one around.
If not, crush up your favorite tortilla chips, I’ve done that in a pinch, too! These just need a little crunch… at least I think so, after being frozen, nuked, and then having all the wet sauces and cheese added.—
Shopping list-
(Burrito Bowls)
Frozen Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts
$9.15 each, 2 bags.
2lbs Sweet Onions
$2.19, 1 bag
Mini Sweet Peppers, 1lb
$3.25 each, 3 bags
Fat Free Refried Beans, 16oz
$1.09 each, 5 cans
Canned Golden Sweet Corn, 15oz
$0.55 each, 5 cans
Pure Canola Oil, 48 fl oz (Only if we don’t have oil at home, or they don’t have the infused garlic oil I like, since it’s seasonal)
$3.65 each, 1 bottle
Instant White Rice, 28oz
$2.85 each, 1 box
Shredded Colby Jack Cheese, 12oz
$3.29 each, 2 bags
Queso Fresco Cheese, 10oz (This one is a cheat to keep it at Aldi’s. I usually actually buy the shredded quesadilla cheese at Walmart or Meijers, since we buy what we can at Aldi and then grab anything else at a 2nd store on grocery store day lol BUT, this is to show you can get everything at Aldi. This one you’d just have to break off pieces or shred yourself.)
$2.75 each, 2 packages.
Quart Freezer Twin Lock Bags, 40 count
$2.39, 1 pack
(Add for pizzas)
Mama Cozzi Thin Mini Pizza Crusts with Sauce, 12oz
$2.75 each, 2 packages.
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, 16oz
$4.05 each, 1 bag
Pineapple Chunks in 100% Pineapple Juice, 20oz
$1.39 each, 1 can
Large Ripe Pitted Black Olves, 6oz
$2.05 each, 1 can
Prep Process-
BURRITO BOWLS-
Boil the chicken. Add your spices to the water. When done, drain, and use a food processor to process it to your preferred texture. Once it’s processed, you can add a bit more of your spices. Set aside to cool.
While the chicken is boiling, make the box of rice according to the directions. You can use a stovepot or a rice cooker, I’ve used both and the results are the same either way. Set aside to cool when done.
For the veggies, it is infinitely easier to use a handheld chopper or the food processor instead of chopping them by hand. I go ahead and mix the sweet peppers and onions. If you’re adding other peppers or anything else, you can add them together or, for hot peppers, reserve them separately so you can adjust how much goes in each bag.
For the beans, I make them on the stove, adding oil, garlic, and other spices until they’re heated through. Set aside to cool.
Once everything is ready, I drain the corn, and put that in a separate bowl, gathering all the bowls on the counter or table I’m working on.
To fill, add 1/2 cup rice to each bag, then around 1/4 cup chicken, a scoopful of refried beans, and top with a spoonful of the veggies and corn. Go through and fill all your bags. Squeeze out the air and flatten them before sealing.
PIZZAS-
You should have some chicken, peppers, and onions left after making your burrito bowls. Mix them together, then open the packages of pizzas. They already come with sauce packets, so you can put your desired amount of sauce on them.
I use the food processor to process the pineapple chunks down into crushed pineapple, as Aldi doesn’t carry crushed. (I know, this is where I lost most of you. It is OPTIONAL haha) I sometimes process the black olives too, other times I go ahead and take the time to slice them. If you want other toppings, prep those all now, too.
Layer your ingredients… I use the chicken/pepper/onion mix, the pineapple and black olives. Add the cheese on top to hold it all together.
For this, I put the oven at 375 instead of the suggested 400, and don’t preheat. I pop them in for about 10 minutes or just until the cheese starts to melt, then get them out and let them cool on the top of the stove on the pan.
Once they’re cool, wrap them in a double layer of aluminum foil, and store them two each in the gallon Ziploc bags.
To Reheat-
Burrito Bowls-
Remove from the Ziploc Baggie and put it in a bowl or deep plate. (I just cut the bag away, it’s easier.) Heat in the microwave for 5 minutes. Pull it out, give it a quick stir and top with a bit of your cheeses. Pop it back in the microwave for a minute or two to melt the cheese.
Once finished, add your salsas, sour cream, whatever else you want, and your tortilla strips or chips. Stir well.
Pizzas-
Preheat oven to 375. Heat pizza about 10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and edges are crisp. Remove, cut into slices, and enjoy!
