Kroger Dairy-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The four everyday nights lean on Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Sausage at under $1 a serving, Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage at about $1.25 a serving, Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts at around $2 a serving, and Kroger Chicken Party Wings at about $2 a serving - these are genuinely low-cost proteins that keep the week affordable. The Private Selection Cedar Plank Salmon earns the one premium night at $17.99 for a 24 oz pack, which works out to roughly $4.50 per person - a far better value than the ribeye at $6.50 per serving or the ribs at $7.00 per serving, so those two were skipped entirely. Hatch Chile Peppers at $1.49/lb and Hatch Sweet Onions at $3.99 for a 3 lb bag add bold seasonal flavor across multiple nights without much cost. The Prego Pasta Sauce at $1.59 anchors a quick pasta night and is one of the best per-dollar deals on the flyer. The week's total lands at $17.21 per person, which reflects an honest accounting of realistic protein portions rather than undersized servings; the salmon is the main driver of that slight stretch, and it is still the cheapest premium option available this week.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Skillet-Seared Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts with Hatch Chile Peppers and Onions over Pasta
Description: Boneless chicken breasts are sliced and seared in a hot skillet until golden, then tossed with sauteed Hatch chile peppers, Hatch sweet onions, and Prego pasta sauce over cooked Kroger pasta. The Hatch chiles bring a mild, roasted heat that makes this a bright and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Sale items used: Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts, Hatch Chile Peppers, Hatch Sweet Onions (3 lb Bag), Prego Pasta Sauce, Kroger Pasta
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts (about 0.5 lb per person), 0.5 lb Hatch Chile Peppers, roughly 0.5 lb of Hatch Sweet Onions from the 3 lb bag, one 24 oz jar of Prego Pasta Sauce, and one 12-16 oz box of Kroger Pasta.
Recipes:
- Creamy Hatch Chile and Chicken Pasta - Life's Ambrosia
- Cashew Cream Cajun Chicken Pasta - Dairy Free!

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Kroger Chicken Party Wings with Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce and Corn
Description: Frozen chicken party wings are thawed, seasoned, and baked in the oven at 425 degrees until crispy and cooked through, then brushed with Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce in the final few minutes. Kroger Sweet Corn is boiled alongside for a simple, crowd-pleasing plate.
Sale items used: Kroger Chicken Party Wings (Frozen, 2.5 lb), Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce, Kroger Sweet Corn 4 ct
Prep time: 55 minutes
Serving note: Use the full 2.5 lb bag of Kroger Chicken Party Wings for 4 people, one 18 oz bottle of Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce (pantry use), and one 4-count pack of Kroger Sweet Corn (one ear per person). Thaw wings overnight in the refrigerator for best results; bake 40-45 minutes at 425 degrees, flipping once halfway.
Recipes:
- Crispy Baked Chicken Wings (Dairy Free) - Simply Whisked

Wednesday
Meal: Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Sausage and Hatch Chile Hash with Eggs
Description: Sliced Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Sausage is browned in a skillet with diced Hatch sweet onions and Hatch chile peppers, then Simple Truth Cage-Free Eggs are cracked directly into the pan and cooked to your liking for a hearty, one-pan hash. This smoky, spicy skillet dinner comes together in under 30 minutes and needs nothing else alongside it.
Sale items used: Johnsonville Smoked Dinner or Breakfast Sausage, Hatch Sweet Onions (3 lb Bag), Hatch Chile Peppers, 24 ct Simple Truth Cage-Free Eggs Grade A
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use one pack of Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Sausage (9.6-14 oz), about 0.5 lb of Hatch Sweet Onions from the 3 lb bag, 0.25 lb of Hatch Chile Peppers, and 8 eggs (2 per person) from the 24-count carton.
Recipes:
- Maple Sausage, Egg, & Potato Hash Breakfast Recipe
- Sheet Pan Breakfast Hash With Sausage - Erin Lives Whole

Thursday
Meal: Baked Private Selection Cedar Plank Salmon with Peaches and Hatch Sweet Onions
Description: The Cedar Plank Salmon is baked according to package directions, then served alongside sliced California Yellow Peaches and thinly sliced Hatch sweet onions for a fresh, summery contrast to the rich salmon. The natural sweetness of the peaches cuts through the savory fish beautifully with no extra sauce needed.
Sale items used: Private Selection Cedar Plank Salmon (Select Varieties, 24 oz), California Yellow or White Peaches or Nectarines, Hatch Sweet Onions (3 lb Bag)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use the full 24 oz pack of Private Selection Cedar Plank Salmon (about 6 oz per person), 1 lb of California Yellow or White Peaches or Nectarines (roughly 2-3 peaches), and about 0.25 lb of Hatch Sweet Onions from the 3 lb bag. Follow package baking instructions; most cedar plank salmon bakes at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Recipes:
- Cedar Planked Salmon with Maple Mustard Glaze - Coley Cooks
- Gluten-Free Cedar Plank-Roasted Salmon with Apricot Glaze, Roasted Stone Fruit, and Green Beans Recipe | GFF Magazine
- Cedar Planked Salmon - Carlsbad Cravings

Friday
Meal: Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage and Pasta with Prego Sauce
Description: Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage is sliced into coins and browned in a skillet, then simmered with Prego Pasta Sauce and tossed with cooked Kroger Pasta for a hearty, dairy-free Italian-style dinner. A sprinkle of fresh Hatch chile adds an optional kick to finish each bowl.
Sale items used: Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage (16 oz), Prego Pasta Sauce, Kroger Pasta, Hatch Chile Peppers
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use the full 16 oz pack of Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage, one 24 oz jar of Prego Pasta Sauce, one 12-16 oz box of Kroger Pasta, and a small amount of Hatch Chile Peppers (0.25 lb) from what remains of the week's purchase.
Recipes:
- Dairy Free Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Pasta - 30 Minutes!
- Pasta with Italian Sausage and Broccoli - Simply Whisked

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts (2 lbs): $7.98
- Kroger Chicken Party Wings (Frozen, 2.5 lb) (x1 pack): $7.99
- Johnsonville Smoked Dinner or Breakfast Sausage (x1 pack with Digital Coupon): $2.99
- Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage (16 oz) (x1 pack): $4.99
- Private Selection Cedar Plank Salmon (Select Varieties, 24 oz) (x1 pack): $17.99
- Hatch Chile Peppers (1.5 lbs): $2.24
- Hatch Sweet Onions (3 lb Bag) (x1 bag): $3.99
- Kroger Sweet Corn 4 ct (x1 pack, part of 2/$7.00 deal, paired with one Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes 1.5 lb): $3.50
- Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes 1.5 lb (x1, paired with corn to complete 2/$7.00 deal): $3.50
- Prego Pasta Sauce (24 oz) (x2 jars): $3.18
- Kroger Pasta (x2 boxes from 4/$5.00 deal): $2.50
- California Yellow or White Peaches or Nectarines (1 lb): $2.99
- 24 ct Simple Truth Cage-Free Eggs Grade A (x1 carton with Digital Coupon): $4.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or cooking oil (for searing chicken and browning sausage)
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder or fresh garlic
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for pasta nights)
- Italian seasoning (for chicken sausage pasta)
- Paprika (for wings)