Food City Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's plan builds around Food City's sale proteins to keep things easy on both you and your kids. Green cabbage does double duty, turning into crunchy slaw for Monday's oven-baked BBQ baby back ribs and again for Thursday's pulled pork sandwiches, so you get two different meals from one simple prep. Bell peppers stretch across Tuesday's baked chicken breast and Friday's steak bites, roasted sweet and mild so picky eaters still dig in. Wednesday keeps things extra simple with a classic spaghetti and ground round meat sauce that never seems to get old. Every dinner leans on familiar flavors and hands-on formats, from ribs to sandwiches to steak bites, so the whole family can enjoy sitting down together.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked BBQ Baby Back Ribs with Cabbage Slaw
Description: Tender baby back ribs baked low and slow until juicy, served with a crunchy vinegar cabbage slaw and roasted potato wedges. A simple, familiar dinner kids love to eat with their hands.
Sale items used: Pork Baby Back Ribs, Green Cabbage, Russet Potatoes
Prep time: 20 minutes active, plus baking
Serving note: 2 lbs Pork Baby Back Ribs, 1 lb Green Cabbage shredded for slaw, 2 Russet Potatoes cut into wedges. Ribs need about 75 minutes in the oven, so start them ahead of time or bake the morning of and reheat before dinner.
Recipes:
- Easy Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs
- Oven Baked BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Chicken Breast with Roasted Bell Peppers and Rice
Description: Simple seasoned baked chicken breast paired with sweet roasted bell peppers and fluffy rice. A mild, easy weeknight dinner that is gentle on young palates.
Sale items used: Boneless Chicken Breast, Red, Yellow or Orange Bell Peppers, Ben's Original Ready Rice
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs Boneless Chicken Breast, 4 Bell Peppers sliced (from the 10-pack), 1 Ben's Original Ready Rice pouch.
Recipes:
- Bell Pepper Chicken Bake Recipe

Wednesday
Meal: Spaghetti with Ground Round Meat Sauce
Description: Classic spaghetti tossed with a hearty ground round and tomato sauce, a guaranteed kid favorite. Easy to make in one pot and always a crowd-pleaser.
Sale items used: Ground Round, Classico Pasta Sauce
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs Ground Round browned and simmered with 1 jar Classico Pasta Sauce, served over pasta (pantry staple).
Recipes:
- Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef
- Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Thursday
Meal: Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Cabbage Slaw
Description: Slow-cooked Boston butt shredded into tender pulled pork, piled onto soft brioche buns and topped with crunchy cabbage slaw. A fun, hands-on dinner kids can build themselves.
Sale items used: Boston Butt, Green Cabbage, Brioche Gourmet Buns
Prep time: 20 minutes active
Serving note: 2 lbs Boston Butt, 1 lb Green Cabbage for slaw, 4 Brioche Gourmet Buns (from the 2-pack purchase). Note: Boston Butt needs 3 to 4 hours to slow cook until it shreds easily, so start it early in the day or the night before.
Recipes:
- Pulled Pork Sandwich with Red Cabbage Slaw

Friday
Meal: Steak Bites with Peppers and Potato Wedges
Description: Bite-sized pieces of New York Strip Steak seared quickly in a skillet with sweet bell peppers, served alongside crispy potato wedges. A special end-of-week treat that is still simple and mild for kids.
Sale items used: New York Strip Steak, Red, Yellow or Orange Bell Peppers, Russet Potatoes
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs New York Strip Steak cut into bites, 4 Bell Peppers sliced (remainder of the 10-pack), 2 Russet Potatoes cut into wedges.
Recipes:
- Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potato Wedges
- Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Skillet

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Pork Baby Back Ribs (2 lbs): $3.98
- Green Cabbage (2 lbs): $1.38
- Russet Potatoes (4 each): $9.96
- Boneless Chicken Breast (2 lbs): $5.98
- Red, Yellow or Orange Bell Peppers (10 for $10.00 pack): $10.00
- Ben's Original Ready Rice (1 pouch): $3.29
- Ground Round (1.5 lbs): $10.49
- Classico Pasta Sauce (2 for $6.00 pack): $6.00
- Boston Butt (2 lbs): $4.98
- Brioche Gourmet Buns (2 for $7.00 pack): $7.00
- New York Strip Steak (1.5 lbs): $11.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Spaghetti pasta
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika
- Vinegar and a touch of sugar for coleslaw dressing
- Cooking oil