Kroger Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Perdue Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Sauce and Corn on the Cob
Description: Juicy oven-baked chicken drumsticks brushed with sweet BBQ sauce make a classic, crowd-pleasing dinner that kids love to eat right off the bone. Served alongside buttery corn on the cob, this is a simple and satisfying weeknight meal for two.
Sale items used: Perdue Chicken Drumsticks ($0.99/lb), Kraft BBQ Sauce ($0.99, Mix & Match), Kroger Sweet Corn 4 ct Tray ($4.99)
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Buy approximately 1.5 lbs of drumsticks (about 3 to 4 pieces) for 2 people at roughly $1.49 total; use 2 ears of corn from the 4-count tray (save the remaining 2 ears for another meal); brush drumsticks generously with BBQ sauce before and halfway through baking at 400F for about 40 minutes.

Tuesday
Meal: Sloppy Joes with Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef on Ball Park Buns
Description: Savory, saucy sloppy joes made with seasoned ground beef and Manwich sauce piled onto soft buns are a guaranteed kid favorite that comes together in under 20 minutes. This classic weeknight dinner is easy, fun, and perfectly portioned for two hungry eaters.
Sale items used: Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef ($4.99/lb), Manwich Sauce ($0.99, Mix & Match), Ball Park Buns 8 ct ($2.99)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Buy approximately 0.75 lb of ground beef for 2 people at roughly $3.74 total; use 2 buns from the 8-count pack and save the rest for Friday's burgers; one 15 oz can of Manwich is the right amount for this quantity of beef.
Recipes:
- Sloppy Joe Recipe

Wednesday
Meal: Stovetop Eckrich Smoked Sausage with Hunt's Pasta Sauce over Knorr Pasta Sides
Description: Sliced smoked sausage simmered in tangy pasta sauce and served over a creamy Knorr pasta side is a hearty, comforting dinner that kids gobble up fast. Everything cooks in one pot in about 20 minutes, making this a super easy midweek meal.
Sale items used: Eckrich Smoked Sausage 12-14 oz ($2.99 with Digital Coupon), Hunt's Pasta Sauce 24 oz ($0.99, Mix & Match), Knorr Pasta Sides ($0.99, Mix & Match)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: One 12 to 14 oz package of Eckrich sausage is the right amount for 2 people; use about half the can of Hunt's pasta sauce (save the rest for dipping or another use); one Knorr pasta side packet makes 2 servings perfectly; slice sausage into coins before simmering for kid-friendly bites.

Thursday
Meal: Springer Mountain Chicken Tenders with Ranch Dipping Sauce and Baby Carrots
Description: Lightly seasoned and pan-cooked chicken tenders served with creamy ranch dipping sauce and crunchy baby carrots make a fun, familiar meal that feels like a restaurant favorite at home. Kids love dipping everything, so set out extra ranch for the carrots too.
Sale items used: Springer Mountain Boneless Chicken Breast or Tenders ($3.99/lb), Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing 36 fl oz or Ranch Mix ($5.99 or 2 for $4.00 for mix), Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots 1 lb ($1.39)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Buy approximately 0.75 lb of chicken tenders for 2 people at roughly $2.99 total; one 1 lb bag of baby carrots is plenty for 2 and doubles as a snack; use the Hidden Valley Ranch Mix 2 for $4.00 deal (one packet mixed with sour cream or mayo from the pantry works great and keeps costs low); cook tenders in a lightly oiled skillet about 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden.
Recipes:
- Baked Chicken Tenders with Homemade Ranch Dip

Friday
Meal: Pan-Cooked Kroger 73% Lean Beef Patties on Ball Park Buns with Mustard and Ketchup
Description: Juicy pan-seared beef burgers on soft buns with classic mustard and ketchup are the perfect end-of-week treat that kids always look forward to. Keep it simple with familiar toppings and let the kids dress their own burgers for a fun Friday dinner.
Sale items used: Kroger 73% Lean Beef Patties Frozen 2 lb ($10.00), Heinz Yellow Mustard 14 oz ($0.99, Mix & Match), Ball Park Buns 8 ct (already purchased Tuesday)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: The 2 lb frozen pack contains approximately 8 quarter-pound patties; use 2 patties for this meal and freeze the rest for future use; the full pack cost is $10.00 but only 2 patties are used this week; use the remaining Ball Park buns from Tuesday's purchase so no second pack is needed; cook patties in a skillet over medium-high heat about 4 minutes per side.
Recipes:
- The Perfect Homemade Beef Burger
- Best Hamburger Patty Recipe
- Homemade Beef Burger Recipe

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Perdue Chicken Drumsticks (1.5 lbs): $1.49
- Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef (0.75 lb): $3.74
- Ball Park Buns 8 ct (x1 pack): $2.99
- Manwich Sauce (x1 can): $0.99
- Eckrich Smoked Sausage 12-14 oz (x1 pack, with Digital Coupon): $2.99
- Hunt's Pasta Sauce 24 oz (x1 can): $0.99
- Knorr Pasta Sides (x1 packet): $0.99
- Springer Mountain Chicken Tenders (0.75 lb): $2.99
- Hidden Valley Ranch Mix 0.4-1.1 oz (x2 packets, 2 for $4.00): $4.00
- Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots 1 lb (x1 bag): $1.39
- Kroger 73% Lean Beef Patties Frozen 2 lb (x1 pack): $10.00
- Heinz Yellow Mustard 14 oz (x1 bottle): $0.99
- Kraft BBQ Sauce 17.5-18 oz (x1 bottle): $0.99
- Kroger Sweet Corn 4 ct Tray (x1 tray): $4.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Cooking oil or butter (for pan-cooking tenders and patties)
- Salt and pepper
- Ketchup
- Garlic powder or seasoning salt (optional for chicken tenders)
- Sour cream or mayo (to mix with ranch packet)