Lidl Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: Chicken leg quarters at $0.99/lb are the standout deal of the week and anchor a satisfying baked dinner for well under $3 in protein. Premio bratwurst at $1.99 for the whole package and Dulano sausage at $2.49 keep two more nights extremely affordable, and kids love both. Eggs at $2.49 a dozen make a fun breakfast-for-dinner scramble night that stretches the budget nicely. Gorton's fish sticks at $5.49 a box are a classic kid-pleaser and a smart mid-range pick. The single premium night goes to fresh salmon portions, which at $7.99/lb is genuinely expensive but earns its spot as the one splurge of the week - and even then, a simple pan-sear keeps prep fast and waste low.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Chicken Leg Quarters with Vidalia Onions
Description: Seasoned chicken leg quarters are roasted in the oven until the skin is golden and the meat is juicy, nestled alongside sweet Vidalia onions that soften and caramelize as they cook. This is a simple, crowd-pleasing dinner that kids can help season before it goes in the oven.
Sale items used: Butcher's Specialty fresh chicken leg quarters, Vidalia onions (3 lb.)
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 50 minutes in oven
Serving note: Use 3 lbs of chicken leg quarters (roughly one large quarter per person plus a small extra piece). Use half the 3 lb. bag of Vidalia onions, sliced into wedges. Total oven time is about 50 minutes at 400 degrees F; slide the pan in while you prep sides so dinner lands right at the 60-minute mark.

Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Salmon Portions with Red Seedless Grapes and Cantaloupe on the Side
Description: Fresh skin-on salmon portions are seared in a skillet until the skin is crispy and the flesh is flaky, served with a fresh fruit side of red seedless grapes and sliced cantaloupe that kids love to snack on. The mild, buttery flavor of salmon is approachable for children and the colorful fruit plate makes the plate feel festive.
Sale items used: Fish Market fresh Chilean Atlantic salmon portions, skin on; Red seedless grapes; Cantaloupe, 1 ct.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 2 lbs of salmon portions (approximately one 8 oz portion per person). Buy 1 lb of red seedless grapes and 1 cantaloupe; slice the cantaloupe into wedges and set grapes in a bowl for the table.
Recipes:
- Pan-Seared Salmon with Red Seedless Grapes

Wednesday
Meal: Premio Bratwurst Links with Frozen Hash Brown Patties
Description: Premio fresh bratwurst links are cooked in a skillet until browned and cooked through, served alongside crispy oven-baked frozen hash brown patties that kids absolutely love. It is a simple, hearty dinner with familiar flavors that comes together in well under 30 minutes.
Sale items used: Premio fresh bratwurst (16 oz), Frozen hash brown patties (45.1 oz)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use the full 16 oz package of Premio fresh bratwurst (typically 4-5 links, one per person). Bake 4 hash brown patties from the frozen hash brown patties bag in the oven at 425 degrees F for about 20 minutes while the brats cook on the stovetop. Note: the hash brown patties are on sale August 14-16 only, so plan Wednesday to fall on one of those days.

Thursday
Meal: Scrambled Egg and Milbona Cheddar Cheese Breakfast-for-Dinner with Gorton's Fish Sticks on the Side
Description: Fluffy scrambled eggs loaded with melted extra sharp cheddar cheese slices make a fun and filling breakfast-for-dinner that kids get excited about, paired with crispy Gorton's frozen fish sticks baked in the oven at the same time. The combination gives you two kid-favorite foods on one plate with almost no effort.
Sale items used: Eggland's Best grade A large eggs, 12 ct.; Milbona extra sharp cheddar cheese slices, 10 ct. (8 oz); Gorton's frozen fish sticks/sandwich, assorted (18.3-19 oz)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 8 eggs (two per person) from the 12-count carton. Use 4 slices of Milbona extra sharp cheddar cheese slices melted into the eggs. Bake fish sticks from the full 18.3-19 oz Gorton's package alongside; the package serves 4 generously. Note: eggs are on sale August 14-16 only, so plan accordingly or purchase at the regular sale price if shopping on another day.
Recipes:
- Crispy Cheesy Fish Stick Breakfast Tacos

Friday
Meal: Dulano Sausage and Vidalia Onion Sheet-Pan Dinner with Blueberries for Dessert
Description: Dulano sausage links are roasted on a sheet pan with sliced Vidalia onions until everything is browned and fragrant, a simple one-pan dinner that is easy to clean up on a Friday night. Finish the meal with a bowl of fresh blueberries from the family pack for a sweet, no-fuss dessert the kids will love.
Sale items used: Dulano sausage, assorted varieties, 5 ct. (12 oz); Vidalia onions (3 lb.); Blueberries, family pack (18 oz)
Prep time: 10 minutes active, 30 minutes in oven
Serving note: Use the full 5 ct. package of Dulano sausage (one to two links per person depending on size). Use the remaining half of the 3 lb. Vidalia onion bag, sliced into strips and spread around the sausages on the sheet pan. Serve the full 18 oz blueberry family pack in a bowl for the table.
Recipes:
- Sheet Pan Sausages with Potatoes

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Butcher's Specialty fresh chicken leg quarters (3 lbs): $2.97
- Fish Market fresh Chilean Atlantic salmon portions, skin on (2 lbs): $15.98
- Red seedless grapes (1 lb): $1.29
- Cantaloupe, 1 ct.: $1.95
- Premio fresh bratwurst (16 oz): $1.99
- Frozen hash brown patties (45.1 oz): $2.99
- Eggland's Best grade A large eggs, 12 ct.: $2.49
- Milbona extra sharp cheddar cheese slices, 10 ct. (8 oz): $1.67
- Gorton's frozen fish sticks/sandwich, assorted (18.3-19 oz): $5.49
- Dulano sausage, assorted varieties, 5 ct. (12 oz): $2.49
- Vidalia onions (3 lb.): $2.69
- Blueberries, family pack (18 oz): $3.29

Pantry staples needed:
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Olive oil or cooking oil (for searing salmon and cooking brats)
- Butter (for scrambled eggs)
- Ketchup or dipping sauce for fish sticks