Food City Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's flyer is genuinely stacked with budget-friendly proteins, which makes it easy to eat well without overspending. Boneless chicken breast and whole boneless pork loin are both sitting at $1.99/lb, which is an outstanding price for either cut, so they anchor two of the five nights at roughly a dollar per person for the protein alone. Ground chuck at $5.99/lb (minimum 3 lbs purchase) and boneless pork chops at $3.99/lb fill out two more economical nights, keeping those proteins in the $2.00-$2.25 per person range. For the one premium night, Fresh Tilapia Fillets at $6.99/lb came out as the smartest choice - it costs noticeably less per serving than shrimp, either sirloin, or crab legs, yet still delivers a special weeknight feel with a completely different flavor profile from the rest of the week. The Top Sirloin, Snow Crab Legs, and Prime Top Sirloin were all deliberately skipped because even on sale they would push a single night's protein cost close to or above the entire week's per-person budget target. The Classico Pasta Sauce at $2.69 (Buy 5 Save $5 - but we only need one jar, so we pay $2.69) and the Vidalia Onions 3 lb. bag at $2.99 add real flavor value without inflating the total.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Boneless Chicken Breast with Vine-Ripened Tomatoes and Sourdough Bread
Description: Boneless chicken breasts are seasoned and seared in a skillet until golden and cooked through, then served alongside a quick pan sauce built from sliced vine-ripened tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil. Thick slices of Goldminer Sourdough Bread soak up the juices and round out the plate.
Sale items used: Boneless Chicken Breast (Family Pack or Jumbo Pack), Grainger County or Local Tomatoes (Vine Ripened), Goldminer Sourdough Bread, 15-24 oz.
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 2 lbs of Boneless Chicken Breast (Family Pack or Jumbo Pack) for 4 people (about 0.5 lb per person). Buy 1 lb of Grainger County or Local Tomatoes (Vine Ripened) for the pan sauce. Use half the loaf of Goldminer Sourdough Bread, 15-24 oz. for serving; reserve the rest for the week.
Recipes:
- Pan Seared Chicken with Stewed Tomato Sauce
- Pan Seared Chicken Breast (So Juicy) - Wholesome Yum

Tuesday
Meal: Skillet Ground Chuck Pasta with Classico Pasta Sauce
Description: Ground chuck is browned in a large skillet, drained, and simmered with Classico Pasta Sauce until thick and rich, then tossed with cooked pasta for a hearty weeknight dinner. The 80% lean grind gives the sauce plenty of body and beefy flavor without being greasy.
Sale items used: Ground Chuck (Food City Fresh, 80% Lean, 3 lbs. or more), Classico Pasta Sauce, 15-24 oz.
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Purchase the minimum 3 lbs of Ground Chuck (Food City Fresh, 80% Lean, 3 lbs. or more); use 1.5 lbs for this meal and refrigerate the remaining 1.5 lbs for Thursday. Purchase 1 jar of Classico Pasta Sauce, 15-24 oz. Pasta is a pantry staple.
Recipes:
- Easy Pasta Skillet | CLASSICO
- Meaty Classico Spaghetti Recipe | SparkRecipes
- Meaty Spaghetti Sauce | CLASSICO

Wednesday
Meal: Oven-Baked Boneless Pork Loin Slices with Half Runner Beans and Vidalia Onions
Description: The whole boneless pork loin is sliced into thick medallions, seasoned with garlic, paprika, and black pepper, then baked in a single layer until juicy and lightly browned. Half runner beans and sliced Vidalia onions are cooked together in a pot with a little butter and seasoning for a classic Southern side that pairs perfectly with the pork.
Sale items used: Whole Boneless Pork Loin (Food City Fresh), Half Runner Beans (Locally Grown), Vidalia Onions (Bland Farms), 3 lb.
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 2 lbs of Whole Boneless Pork Loin (Food City Fresh) for 4 people. Purchase 1 lb of Half Runner Beans (Locally Grown). Use approximately one-quarter of the Vidalia Onions (Bland Farms) 3 lb. bag (about 0.75 lb) for this meal; the rest carries through the week. Total oven time is about 35-40 minutes at 400 degrees F after a 10-minute prep.
Recipes:
- Easy Oven Baked Beans and Pork Chops Recipe - Food.com
- Simple Suppers: Roasted Pork with Lemon Garlic Green Beans - My Table of Three

Thursday
Meal: Seasoned Ground Chuck Tacos with Vine-Ripened Tomatoes and Daisy Sour Cream
Description: The reserved ground chuck from Tuesday is seasoned with cumin, chili powder, and garlic, then browned and served in warm tortillas topped with diced vine-ripened tomatoes and a dollop of Daisy Sour Cream. This is a completely different flavor profile from Tuesday's Italian-style pasta - bold, smoky, and fresh all at once.
Sale items used: Ground Chuck (Food City Fresh, 80% Lean, 3 lbs. or more) (reserved portion from Tuesday), Grainger County or Local Tomatoes (Vine Ripened), Daisy Sour Cream, 16 oz.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use the reserved 1.5 lbs of Ground Chuck from Tuesday (already purchased). Purchase 1 lb of Grainger County or Local Tomatoes (Vine Ripened). Purchase 1 container of Daisy Sour Cream, 16 oz. Flour tortillas are a pantry staple. Ground chuck is listed once on the shopping list under Tuesday's purchase.

Friday
Meal: Skillet-Seared Fresh Tilapia Fillets with Vidalia Onions and That's Smart! Vegetables
Description: Fresh tilapia fillets are patted dry, seasoned with lemon pepper and garlic, and seared in a hot skillet with a little oil until the edges are crisp and the flesh flakes easily. Sliced Vidalia onions are softened alongside the fish, and a can of That's Smart! Vegetables rounds out the plate for a light, satisfying end to the week.
Sale items used: Fresh Tilapia Fillets (Farm Raised), Vidalia Onions (Bland Farms), 3 lb., That's Smart! Vegetables, 14.5-15.25 oz.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 1.5 lbs of Fresh Tilapia Fillets (Farm Raised) for 4 people (about 0.375 lb per person, as tilapia is a lighter fillet). Use approximately 0.5 lb of the remaining Vidalia Onions (Bland Farms) 3 lb. bag. Purchase 1 can of That's Smart! Vegetables, 14.5-15.25 oz.
Recipes:
- seared tilapia with onions

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Boneless Chicken Breast (Family Pack or Jumbo Pack) (2 lbs): $3.98
- Ground Chuck (Food City Fresh, 80% Lean, 3 lbs. or more) (3 lbs - minimum purchase, 1.5 lbs used Tuesday, 1.5 lbs used Thursday): $17.97
- Whole Boneless Pork Loin (Food City Fresh) (2 lbs): $3.98
- Fresh Tilapia Fillets (Farm Raised) (1.5 lbs): $10.49
- Classico Pasta Sauce, 15-24 oz. (x1): $2.69
- Grainger County or Local Tomatoes (Vine Ripened) (2 lbs total - 1 lb Monday, 1 lb Thursday): $3.98
- Half Runner Beans (Locally Grown) (1 lb): $1.99
- Vidalia Onions (Bland Farms), 3 lb. (x1 bag): $2.99
- Goldminer Sourdough Bread, 15-24 oz. (x1): $4.99
- Daisy Sour Cream, 16 oz. (x1): $1.69
- That's Smart! Vegetables, 14.5-15.25 oz. (x1): $0.89

Pantry staples needed:
- Pasta (spaghetti or penne)
- Flour tortillas
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Lemon pepper seasoning