Meijer Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's flyer is loaded with great everyday proteins, and chicken drumsticks at $0.99/lb are one of the best deals you will find anywhere - they anchor Monday night and keep the whole week affordable. Pork loin assorted chops at $1.99/lb and ground beef at $4.99/lb (bought as a 3 lb package so the price applies) give you two more hearty, kid-friendly nights without breaking the bank. Johnsonville Fresh Brats at $4.79 for a full package make a fun Friday cookout night that kids love. Frederik's by Meijer Gourmet Pasta at $2.99 fills out Wednesday with a cheesy pasta bake that uses pantry staples and keeps that night's cost very low.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Honey Ketchup Chicken Drumsticks with Baby-Cut Carrots
Description: Juicy chicken drumsticks are coated in a simple honey-ketchup glaze and baked until golden and sticky - a flavor kids absolutely love. Baby-cut carrots roast alongside on the same pan for an easy, colorful dinner with almost no cleanup.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks All natural, Baby-Cut Carrots 1 lb. bag, Heinz Tomato Ketchup 38 oz.
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes bake time
Serving note: Use 2.5 lbs of chicken drumsticks (roughly 8-10 pieces for 4 people). Use 1 lb bag of Baby-Cut Carrots spread around the pan. Use about 3 tablespoons of Heinz Tomato Ketchup mixed with honey from the pantry for the glaze. Total time is 60 minutes; prep the glaze and coat the drumsticks while the oven preheats to save time.
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 and tossed with cooked pasta and a simple tomato-cheese sauce that comes together in one pan in about 30 minutes. Kids go crazy for this cheesy, saucy skillet - it tastes like a homemade hamburger helper and is endlessly scoopable.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer 80% Lean Ground Beef 3 lb. pkg. or larger, Frederik's by Meijer Gourmet Pasta 12-16 oz. Select varieties
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of ground beef from the 3 lb package (freeze the remaining 1.5 lbs for later). Use 1 package (12-16 oz) of Frederik's by Meijer Gourmet Pasta, cooked according to package directions. Finish with shredded cheese and canned tomatoes from the pantry.
Recipes:
- Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Loin Assorted Chops with Creamer Potatoes
Description: Bone-in pork loin chops are seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and garlic powder then seared in a skillet until golden and cooked through - a straightforward, satisfying dinner kids enjoy. The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes are boiled or microwaved and tossed with butter for a soft, easy side that even picky eaters love.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in, The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 3 lb. bag. Select varieties
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of pork loin assorted chops (roughly 4 chops for 4 people). Use 1 full 3 lb bag of The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes as the side - the whole bag is appropriate for 4 people as a generous serving.

Thursday
Meal: Grilled Meijer 1/4 Pound Beef Burgers on Split Top Bread with Ketchup
Description: Classic frozen beef burger patties are grilled or cooked on a skillet until juicy and cooked through, then served on soft split top bread with ketchup - the ultimate kid-approved dinner. Keep toppings simple and fun so kids can build their own burgers at the table.
Sale items used: Meijer 1/4 Pound Beef Burgers 32 oz. Frozen, Meijer Split Top White or Wheat Bread 22 oz, Heinz Tomato Ketchup 38 oz.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package of Meijer 1/4 Pound Beef Burgers (8 patties total) - serve 2 patties per person for 4 people. Use 1 loaf of Meijer Split Top White or Wheat Bread for buns (2 slices per burger). The Heinz Tomato Ketchup purchased Monday carries over to this meal at no additional cost.
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 in water then browned in a skillet until cooked through and lightly crisped on the outside - a simple, fun Friday dinner kids get excited about. Serve with California seedless grapes and Meijer Applesauce cups on the side for a sweet, fresh finish to the week.
Sale items used: Johnsonville Fresh Brats 19 oz, California Green or Black Seedless Grapes, Meijer Applesauce 6 ct./4 oz. cups
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package of Johnsonville Fresh Brats (19 oz, typically 5 brats - one per person with one extra to split). Use 1 lb of California Green or Black Seedless Grapes as a side. Use 1 package of Meijer Applesauce 6 ct./4 oz. cups - each person gets one cup with one extra available.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks All natural (2.5 lbs): $2.48
- Baby-Cut Carrots 1 lb. bag (x1): $1.29
- Heinz Tomato Ketchup 38 oz. (x1): $3.99
- Fresh from Meijer 80% Lean Ground Beef 3 lb. pkg. or larger (3 lb package): $14.97
- Frederik's by Meijer Gourmet Pasta 12-16 oz. Select varieties (x1): $2.99
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in (2 lbs): $3.98
- The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 3 lb. bag. Select varieties (x1): $4.99
- Meijer 1/4 Pound Beef Burgers 32 oz. Frozen (x1): $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 (1 lb): $2.29
- Meijer Applesauce 6 ct./4 oz. cups (x1): $1.89

Pantry staples needed:
- Honey (for Monday glaze)
- Salt, black pepper, garlic powder (for pork chops and general seasoning)
- Butter (for creamer potatoes)
- Canned diced tomatoes or tomato sauce (for Tuesday pasta skillet)
- Shredded cheese (for Tuesday pasta skillet)
- Cooking oil or nonstick spray
- Condiments for burger night: mustard, sliced cheese, lettuce (optional, to taste)