Food City Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The real stars this week are the $1.99/lb proteins - boneless chicken breast, whole boneless pork loin, and frozen chicken tenders all tie for the lowest price per pound on the flyer, making them the backbone of four of the five dinners. Oscar Mayer Meat Wieners at $2.99 a pack add a fifth economical option that kids absolutely love, and the whole pack feeds four for under three dollars. Ground chuck at $5.99/lb is the one premium-leaning protein this week - it costs noticeably more per serving than the pork and chicken options, so it earns the single elevated night as a classic kid-friendly burger dinner, which keeps the splurge fun and familiar. Tilapia, shrimp, and sirloin were all skipped because even at sale prices they push the per-serving cost well above the everyday proteins, and this week's flyer already gives you three different $1.99/lb proteins to rotate through without repeating. The Classico Pasta Sauce at $2.69 and Old El Paso Dinner Kits at 2/$5.00 add big flavor for very little money and help stretch the week's total comfortably within range.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Boneless Chicken Breast with Classico Pasta Sauce and Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits
Description: Seasoned boneless chicken breasts are baked in the oven with Classico pasta sauce spooned over the top, creating a saucy, comforting chicken dinner that kids will recognize and love. Fluffy Pillsbury Grands! biscuits bake alongside and are perfect for soaking up every drop of sauce.
Sale items used: Boneless Chicken Breast (Family Pack or Jumbo Pack) at $1.99/lb, Classico Pasta Sauce at $2.69, Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits at 2/$6.00
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 35 minutes bake time (50 minutes total)
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of boneless chicken breast (about one large breast per person), 1 jar of Classico Pasta Sauce (15-24 oz.), and 1 pack of Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits (25 oz.) for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Chicken and Cheese Biscuit Bake
- Baked Chicken With Pasta Sauce Recipe

Tuesday
Meal: Oscar Mayer Meat Wiener Hot Dogs on Wonder Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns with That's Smart! Vegetables
Description: Classic backyard-style hot dogs made with Oscar Mayer Meat Wieners, served in soft buns with kid-favorite toppings like mustard, and a side of warm canned vegetables for a balanced plate. This is a quick, no-fuss weeknight dinner that every child aged 5 to 12 will cheer for.
Sale items used: Oscar Mayer Meat Wieners (14-16 oz.) at $2.99, That's Smart! Yellow Mustard at $1.00, That's Smart! Vegetables (14.5-15.25 oz.) at $0.89
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: One pack of Oscar Mayer Meat Wieners (14-16 oz.) contains enough wieners for 4 people (about 2 per child or 1-2 per adult), one can of That's Smart! Vegetables, and That's Smart! Yellow Mustard for topping. Note: Wonder Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns are listed as BOGO with no stated base price and are therefore listed under pantry staples; pick up any store-brand buns at regular price or use what you have on hand.
Recipes:
- Sloppy Dogs
- Kid-Friendly Kosher Beef Hot Dog Recipes for Healthy Meals

Wednesday
Meal: Old El Paso Taco Kit Dinner with Ground Chuck and Grainger County Tomatoes
Description: Seasoned ground chuck is browned and loaded into taco shells from the Old El Paso Dinner Kit, topped with fresh vine-ripened Grainger County tomatoes and any toppings the kids like to pile on. Taco night is always a crowd-pleaser, and letting kids build their own tacos makes it a fun, hands-on dinner.
Sale items used: Old El Paso Dinner Kits (5.4-13.25 oz.) at 2/$5.00 (1 kit used), Ground Chuck (Food City Fresh, 80% Lean, 3 lbs. or more) at $5.99/lb, Grainger County or Local Tomatoes (Vine Ripened) at $1.99/lb, Daisy Sour Cream (16 oz.) at $1.69
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Ground Chuck and 1 Old El Paso Dinner Kit; 0.5 lb of Grainger County tomatoes (about 1 medium tomato, diced) and 1 container of Daisy Sour Cream (16 oz.) for toppings for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Ground Beef Tacos

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Cooked Covington Farms Chicken Tenders with Mott's Applesauce
Description: Covington Farms Chicken Tenders are cooked in a skillet until golden and juicy, served with a side of Mott's Applesauce cups that kids can dip or eat alongside - a simple, familiar dinner that comes together in minutes. The combination of crispy-edged tenders and sweet applesauce is a guaranteed hit with the younger crowd.
Sale items used: Covington Farms Chicken Tenders (Previously Frozen) at $1.99/lb, Mott's Applesauce (6 pk.) at 2/$6.00 (1 pack used at $3.00)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Covington Farms Chicken Tenders for 4 people, and 1 pack of Mott's Applesauce (6 pk.) so each person gets one to two cups.
Recipes:
- balsamic-glazed chicken tenders
- Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken Tenders with Spicy Applesauce Dip

Friday
Meal: Sliced Whole Boneless Pork Loin Skillet with Vidalia Onions and That's Smart! Vegetables
Description: Slices of Food City Fresh Whole Boneless Pork Loin are pan-seared in a skillet with sweet Vidalia onions until cooked through and lightly caramelized, then served alongside a warm can of That's Smart! Vegetables for a hearty, home-style Friday dinner. The mild sweetness of the Vidalia onions makes this a kid-friendly flavor combination that feels special without being complicated.
Sale items used: Whole Boneless Pork Loin (Food City Fresh) at $1.99/lb, Vidalia Onions (Bland Farms) 3 lb. at $2.99, That's Smart! Vegetables (14.5-15.25 oz.) at $0.89
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Slice 2 lbs from the Whole Boneless Pork Loin into 1/2-inch medallions (about 4-5 slices per person); use roughly 1 lb of Vidalia onions from the 3 lb. bag (save the rest for other meals) and 1 can of That's Smart! Vegetables for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Roasted Pork Tenderloin and Vegetables

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Boneless Chicken Breast (Family Pack or Jumbo Pack) (2 lbs): $3.98
- Classico Pasta Sauce, 15-24 oz. (x1): $2.69
- Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits, 25 oz. (x1, purchased as part of 2/$6.00 deal - 1 pack needed): $3.00
- Oscar Mayer Meat Wieners, 14-16 oz. (x1): $2.99
- That's Smart! Yellow Mustard, 14 oz. (x1): $1.00
- That's Smart! Vegetables, 14.5-15.25 oz. (x2, one for Tuesday and one for Friday): $1.78
- Old El Paso Dinner Kits, 5.4-13.25 oz. (x1, purchased as part of 2/$5.00 deal): $2.50
- Ground Chuck (Food City Fresh, 80% Lean) (1.5 lbs): $8.99
- Grainger County or Local Tomatoes (Vine Ripened) (0.5 lb): $1.00
- Daisy Sour Cream, 16 oz. (x1): $1.69
- Covington Farms Chicken Tenders (Previously Frozen) (2 lbs): $3.98
- Mott's Applesauce, 6 pk. (x1, purchased as part of 2/$6.00 deal): $3.00
- Whole Boneless Pork Loin (Food City Fresh) (2 lbs): $3.98
- Vidalia Onions (Bland Farms), 3 lb. (x1): $2.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Hot dog buns or hamburger buns (store-brand, not on sale this week at a stated base price)
- Cooking oil or butter for skillet nights
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and basic seasonings
- Shredded cheese for tacos (or pick up a block at regular price)
- Lettuce or other taco toppings from home