Meijer Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Honey Ketchup Chicken Drumsticks with Baby-Cut Carrots
Description: Juicy chicken drumsticks are coated in a sweet honey ketchup glaze and baked until golden and sticky, making them a total kid favorite. Served alongside tender baby-cut carrots for a simple, colorful, and satisfying plate.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks ($0.99/lb), Heinz Tomato Ketchup ($3.99), Baby-Cut Carrots ($1.29)
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes baking
Serving note: Use approximately 0.5 lb of drumsticks (about 2 drumsticks) for 1 person; assumed weight 0.5 lb at $0.99/lb = $0.50 for the meat portion. Use 2 tablespoons ketchup from the bottle and a drizzle of honey from the pantry. Serve with a small handful of baby carrots. Since total time is about 60 minutes, you can prep the glaze and coat the drumsticks up to a few hours ahead, then refrigerate until ready to bake.
Recipes:
- Honey-Garlic Chicken Drumsticks
- Easy Oven-Baked Honey-Soy Chicken Drumsticks

Tuesday
Meal: Cheesy Ground Beef and Pasta Skillet
Description: Seasoned ground beef is browned in a skillet and tossed with cooked pasta and melted cheese for a creamy, hearty one-pan dinner kids absolutely love. It comes together quickly on the stovetop and uses simple familiar flavors that are always a hit.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer 80% Lean Ground Beef 3 lb. pkg. ($4.99/lb), Frederik's by Meijer Gourmet Pasta ($2.99)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use approximately 0.5 lb of ground beef for 1 person; assumed weight 0.5 lb at $4.99/lb = $2.50 for the meat portion. Note that ground beef is sold in a 3 lb. package minimum, so freeze the remaining 2.5 lbs in individual portions for future meals. Use about 2 oz (dry) of pasta from the 12-16 oz package, saving the rest for another meal. Shredded cheddar from the pantry works great melted on top.
Recipes:
- Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Loin Assorted Chops with Creamer Potatoes
Description: A bone-in pork loin chop is seasoned simply with salt and pepper and seared in a skillet until golden and juicy, giving it a satisfying crust kids enjoy. Creamer potatoes are boiled until tender and tossed with a little butter for a soft, mild side that pairs perfectly.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in ($1.99/lb), The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 3 lb. bag ($4.99)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use approximately 0.5 lb (1 bone-in chop) for 1 person; assumed weight 0.5 lb at $1.99/lb = $1.00 for the meat portion. Use about 6-8 small creamer potatoes from the 3 lb. bag; the rest of the bag keeps well in the fridge for several days and can be used as a side throughout the week.

Thursday
Meal: Grilled Meijer 1/4 Pound Beef Burgers on Split Top Bread with Ketchup
Description: A classic quarter-pound beef burger is grilled or pan-cooked until juicy and served on soft split top white bread with a generous squirt of ketchup for a simple, crowd-pleasing meal. It is easy, familiar, and exactly the kind of meal kids get excited about.
Sale items used: Meijer 1/4 Pound Beef Burgers 32 oz. Frozen ($10.99), Meijer Split Top White or Wheat Bread 22 oz. ($1.89), Heinz Tomato Ketchup ($3.99, already purchased Monday)
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 burger patty (1/4 lb.) from the 32 oz. frozen package (which contains approximately 8 patties); freeze the remaining 7 patties for future meals. Use 2 slices of split top bread in place of a bun for a kid-friendly soft texture. Ketchup is already in the fridge from Monday's meal, so no additional purchase needed.
Recipes:
- Best Burger Recipe (So Juicy, Grill Or Stovetop)

Friday
Meal: Stovetop-Cooked Johnsonville Fresh Brats with Grapes and Applesauce
Description: Johnsonville fresh brats are simmered and then browned in a skillet until cooked through and lightly caramelized, giving them a juicy snap kids love. Served with a small bunch of sweet seedless grapes and a cup of applesauce for a fun, easy, no-fuss Friday dinner.
Sale items used: Johnsonville Fresh Brats 19 oz. ($4.79), California Green or Black Seedless Grapes ($2.29/lb), Meijer Applesauce 6 ct./4 oz. cups ($1.89)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1-2 brats from the 19 oz. package for 1 person; refrigerate or freeze remaining brats for another meal. Use approximately 0.25 lb of grapes for 1 person; assumed weight 0.25 lb at $2.29/lb = $0.57 for the grapes portion. Serve 1 applesauce cup (4 oz.) from the 6-pack as the side; the remaining cups make great snacks throughout the week.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks (0.5 lb): $0.50
- Baby-Cut Carrots (1 lb. bag): $1.29
- Heinz Tomato Ketchup 38 oz. (x1): $3.99
- Fresh from Meijer 80% Lean Ground Beef 3 lb. pkg. (1 pkg., freeze remainder): $14.97
- Frederik's by Meijer Gourmet Pasta (x1): $2.99
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in (0.5 lb): $1.00
- The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 3 lb. bag (x1): $4.99
- Meijer 1/4 Pound Beef Burgers 32 oz. Frozen (x1, freeze remainder): $10.99
- Meijer Split Top White or Wheat Bread 22 oz. (x1): $1.89
- Johnsonville Fresh Brats 19 oz. (x1): $4.79
- California Green or Black Seedless Grapes (0.25 lb): $0.57
- Meijer Applesauce 6 ct./4 oz. cups (x1): $1.89

Pantry staples needed:
- Honey (for Monday's glaze)
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder or onion powder (optional seasoning for chops and beef)
- Butter (for creamer potatoes)
- Shredded cheddar cheese (for Tuesday's pasta skillet)
- Cooking oil or nonstick spray