Kroger Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

The four economical nights are built around Heritage Farm Boneless Chicken Breasts at roughly $1.00 per serving, Eckrich Smoked Sausage at about $1.25 per serving, Farm Rich Meatballs at about $1.25 per serving, and St. Louis Style Pork Ribs at about $2.24 per serving - all solidly in the affordable half of the ranking. The pork ribs do require a longer cook, but starting them early or using a low-and-slow oven method makes them very hands-off. The Tri-Color Peppers and broccoli crowns appear across multiple nights as affordable produce anchors, and the Rana Family Size Pasta adds a filling, low-cost base on the meatball night. This week's flyer leans heavily on premium cuts and large-format pantry items, so staying disciplined about the protein choices is what keeps the total in a reasonable range.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Boneless Chicken Breasts with Broccoli and Tri-Color Peppers
Description: Boneless chicken breasts are seasoned and seared in a skillet until golden and cooked through, then sliced and served alongside tender broccoli crowns and sauteed tri-color peppers for a colorful, satisfying weeknight plate. The peppers add sweetness and the broccoli gives the meal a hearty, fresh bite that rounds out the chicken beautifully.
Sale items used: Heritage Farm Boneless Chicken Breasts, Kroger Tri-Color Peppers (6 ct), Broccoli Crowns
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Heritage Farm Boneless Chicken Breasts for 4 people. Use half the 6-ct pack of Kroger Tri-Color Peppers (3 peppers, sliced). Use 1 lb of Broccoli Crowns, cut into florets and steamed or sauteed alongside.
Recipes:
- Pan Seared Boneless Chicken Breasts

Tuesday
Meal: Eckrich Smoked Sausage and Sweet Corn Skillet with Grainger County Tomatoes
Description: Sliced Eckrich Smoked Sausage is browned in a skillet with fresh corn cut from the cob and diced Grainger County Tomatoes, building a smoky, slightly sweet one-pan meal with bold Southern flavor. Serve it straight from the skillet with crusty bread or over rice from the pantry for a filling, no-fuss dinner.
Sale items used: Eckrich Smoked Sausage (Select Varieties, 23.3 oz), Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct), Grainger County Tomatoes
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package (23.3 oz) of Eckrich Smoked Sausage, sliced into coins. Use all 4 ears of Kroger Sweet Corn, kernels cut from the cob. Use 0.75 lb of Grainger County Tomatoes, roughly chopped.
Recipes:
- Smoked Sausage and Tomato Skillet
- Sausage and Summer Vegetables Skillet with Corn

Wednesday
Meal: Farm Rich Meatballs with Rana Family Size Pasta and Tri-Color Peppers
Description: Farm Rich Meatballs are heated through and tossed with cooked Rana Family Size Pasta and a simple garlic-and-olive-oil sauce, with sliced sauteed tri-color peppers stirred in for color and sweetness. It is a hearty, crowd-pleasing pasta dinner that comes together quickly and uses pantry staples to stretch the sale items into a full, satisfying meal.
Sale items used: Farm Rich Meatballs (20-26 oz), Rana Family Size Pasta (20 oz), Kroger Tri-Color Peppers (6 ct)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package of Farm Rich Meatballs (20-26 oz) for 4 people. Use 1 package (20 oz) of Rana Family Size Pasta, cooked per package directions. Use the remaining 3 peppers from the 6-ct pack of Kroger Tri-Color Peppers, sliced and sauteed.
Recipes:
- Quick Meatballs with Peppers and Pasta

Thursday
Meal: Oven-Baked St. Louis Style Pork Ribs with Broccoli Crowns
Description: St. Louis Style Pork Ribs are rubbed with pantry spices, wrapped in foil, and baked low and slow in the oven until tender and deeply flavorful, then unwrapped and finished at high heat for a caramelized exterior. Broccoli crowns roasted on a separate sheet pan alongside make a simple, satisfying side that soaks up the savory drippings.
Sale items used: St. Louis Style Pork Ribs, Broccoli Crowns
Prep time: 20 minutes active, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours total oven time
Serving note: Use 3 lbs of St. Louis Style Pork Ribs for 4 people. Use 1 lb of Broccoli Crowns, cut into florets and roasted at high heat during the final 20 minutes. Make-ahead note: start the ribs by early afternoon; they bake at 275 degrees F for about 2.5 hours foil-on, then 15 to 20 minutes uncovered at 400 degrees F to finish.

Friday
Meal: Garlic Butter Skillet Shrimp with Avocado and Grainger County Tomatoes
Description: Large Peeled and Deveined Shrimp are cooked quickly in a hot skillet with garlic butter until pink and just firm, then served over a bed of sliced Grainger County Tomatoes and creamy diced avocado for a bright, restaurant-quality finish. The combination of warm shrimp, cool avocado, and juicy tomatoes makes this a fresh and impressive Friday dinner that comes together in under 20 minutes.
Sale items used: Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp (31-40 ct, Raw, 2 lb bag), Large Avocados, Grainger County Tomatoes
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp for 4 people (from the 2 lb bag; remainder can be refrigerated for use within 1 to 2 days). Use 2 Large Avocados (1 pack of 2 for $3.00), diced. Use 0.5 lb of Grainger County Tomatoes, sliced.
Recipes:
- Skillet Shrimp with Tomato and Avocado Recipe
- Garlic Butter Shrimp - One-Pan, 20-Minute Meal

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Heritage Farm Boneless Chicken Breasts (2 lbs): $3.98
- Eckrich Smoked Sausage (Select Varieties, 23.3 oz) (x1): $5.00
- Farm Rich Meatballs (20-26 oz) (x1): $4.99
- Rana Family Size Pasta (20 oz) (x1): $4.99
- St. Louis Style Pork Ribs (3 lbs): $8.97
- Broccoli Crowns (2 lbs): $3.98
- Kroger Tri-Color Peppers (6 ct) (x1): $6.00
- Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct) (x1): $4.99
- Grainger County Tomatoes (1.25 lbs): $3.11
- Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp (31-40 ct, Raw, 2 lb bag) (1.5 lbs): $10.49
- Large Avocados (2 for $3.00) (x1 pack of 2): $3.00

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Garlic (fresh or jarred)
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Brown sugar (for rib rub)
- Dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- BBQ sauce or hot sauce (optional for ribs)
- Rice or bread for serving with sausage skillet