Giant Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's plan leans into simple, mild flavors that kids actually ask for again, from Monday's cheesy ground beef pasta to Friday's hand-held chicken sliders topped with creamy avocado. Chicken takes center stage three times, with crispy BBQ drumsticks on Tuesday, a comforting roasted whole chicken on Wednesday, and ground chicken sliders wrapping up the week on Friday, so you get plenty of variety without buying a dozen different proteins. Thursday breaks things up with a fun treat-night twist: garlic butter shrimp over rice that feels special but comes together fast. You'll also notice the Giant Salad Blends, grape tomatoes, and mini cucumbers rotate through the week to keep sides fresh and crisp alongside each main dish. Everything is built around sale items like the ground beef, drumsticks, whole chicken fryer, shrimp, and ground chicken, so your cart stays focused while pantry staples like pasta, rice, and BBQ sauce round out the meals.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta with Tomatoes
Description: Ground beef is browned and simmered with grape tomatoes and a simple sauce, then tossed with pasta and melted cheese. It's a mild, cheesy, kid-approved classic.
Sale items used: 73% Lean Ground Beef, Giant Salad Blends, Grape Tomatoes or Mini Cucumbers (grape tomatoes)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 1 lb ground beef, 1 pack grape tomatoes (halved), for 4 people; pasta and shredded cheese are pantry staples.
Recipes:
- Easy Ground Beef Pasta (One Pot)
- Cheesy Beef Pasta Recipe
- Ground Beef Pasta (One Pot)

Tuesday
Meal: Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Description: Drumsticks are baked until crispy and brushed with a sweet, mild barbecue sauce that kids love. Served with a simple side salad for crunch.
Sale items used: Fresh Chicken Drumsticks or Leg Quarters, Giant Salad Blends, Grape Tomatoes or Mini Cucumbers (salad blend)
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs drumsticks and 1 pack salad blend for 4 people; BBQ sauce is a pantry staple.
Recipes:
- Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks (Easy and Juicy)
- Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Wednesday
Meal: Roasted Whole Chicken with Mini Cucumber Salad
Description: A whole chicken is seasoned simply and roasted until golden and juicy, then served alongside a cool, crisp cucumber salad. A comforting, familiar Sunday-style dinner any night of the week.
Sale items used: Whole Chicken Fryer, Giant Salad Blends, Grape Tomatoes or Mini Cucumbers (mini cucumbers)
Prep time: 75 minutes
Serving note: 1 whole chicken fryer (about 4 lbs) and 1 pack mini cucumbers for 4 people; total time exceeds 60 minutes, so season the chicken up to a few hours ahead and refrigerate before roasting.
Recipes:
- Simple Roast Chicken Recipe For Families & Kids
- Creamy Chicken Cucumber Salad

Thursday
Meal: Garlic Butter Shrimp with Rice
Description: Shrimp are quickly sautéed in garlic butter until pink and tender, then served over rice for a fun, special dinner. Mild and buttery, this one is a treat night the kids will look forward to.
Sale items used: Large Raw EZ Peel Shrimp
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs shrimp for 4 people; rice, butter, and garlic are pantry staples.
Recipes:
- Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice
- Easy garlic butter shrimp and rice
- Garlic Butter Shrimp over Rice

Friday
Meal: Ground Chicken Sliders with Avocado
Description: Ground chicken is formed into mini patties, pan-cooked until juicy, and topped with a slice of creamy avocado. Fun, hand-held, and easy for kids to eat.
Sale items used: Perdue Ground Chicken, Hass Avocados
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1 package ground chicken and 2 avocados (sliced) for 4 people; slider buns are a pantry staple.
Recipes:
- California Avocado Chicken Sliders
- Avocado Chicken Sliders Recipe
- Chicken Avocado BLT Sliders

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- 73% Lean Ground Beef (1 lb): $3.49
- Fresh Chicken Drumsticks or Leg Quarters (2 lbs): $1.98
- Whole Chicken Fryer (4 lbs): $5.96
- Large Raw EZ Peel Shrimp (1.5 lbs): $8.99
- Perdue Ground Chicken (1 package): $3.99
- Giant Salad Blends (1 pack): $2.50
- Giant Salad Blends, Grape Tomatoes or Mini Cucumbers - Grape Tomatoes (1 pack): $2.50
- Giant Salad Blends, Grape Tomatoes or Mini Cucumbers - Mini Cucumbers (1 pack): $2.50
- Hass Avocados (2): $2.50

Pantry staples needed:
- Pasta
- Shredded cheese
- BBQ sauce
- Rice
- Butter
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
- Slider buns
- Cooking oil