ALDI Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Skillet Chicken Thighs with Baby Bella Mushrooms and Rice
Description: Tender boneless skinless chicken thighs are pan-cooked until golden and paired with sauteed baby bella mushrooms for a simple, savory dinner kids will love. Served over a fluffy ready-to-eat rice cup, this meal comes together fast on a busy weeknight.
Sale items used: Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, Baby Bella Mushrooms, Earthly Grains Ready-to-Eat Rice Cup
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use approximately 0.5 lb of chicken thighs (1 to 2 thighs) for one child-sized portion; use half the 8-oz mushroom package (about 4 oz); serve with 1 rice cup (8.8 oz). Store remaining mushrooms in the fridge for use later in the week.
Recipes:
- Chicken Thighs with Mushroom Rice
- Skillet Mushroom Chicken Thighs

Tuesday
Meal: Homemade Pizza with Ground Beef, Mozzarella, and Pizza Sauce
Description: Store-bought pizza dough gets stretched into a personal-sized pizza topped with savory ground beef, zesty pizza sauce, and melty mozzarella - a guaranteed kid favorite. This is a fun, hands-on meal where kids can help press the dough and add their own toppings.
Sale items used: Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Pizza Dough, Simply Nature Fresh Organic 85/15 Grass-Fed Ground Beef, Reggano Regular Pizza Sauce, Happy Farms Shredded Mozzarella
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use roughly one-third of the 16-oz dough ball for a personal pizza; cook and crumble about 0.25 lb of ground beef for the topping; use 3 to 4 tablespoons of pizza sauce and a generous handful (about 2 oz) of shredded mozzarella. Wrap and refrigerate remaining dough and freeze leftover ground beef for another use.
Recipes:
- Homemade Pizza with Ground Beef
- Ground Beef and Onion Pizza

Wednesday
Meal: Sliced Kielbasa and Black Bean Rice Bowls
Description: Sliced kielbasa is pan-browned until slightly crispy and served over rice with seasoned black beans for a hearty, kid-friendly bowl that is easy to eat and full of familiar flavors. The mild smoky sausage pairs perfectly with the soft beans and rice for a satisfying midweek dinner.
Sale items used: Parkview Polska Kielbasa, Simply Nature Organic Black Beans, Earthly Grains Ready-to-Eat Rice Cup
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Slice and cook about one-third of the 13 to 14 oz kielbasa link (roughly 4 to 5 oz) for one serving; use half the can of black beans (about 7.75 oz), rinsed and warmed; serve with 1 rice cup. Refrigerate remaining kielbasa and black beans for snacks or lunches.
Recipes:
- Kielbasa Black Bean Skillet

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Seared Honey Maple Salmon with Mini Cucumbers and Grapes
Description: A single salmon fillet is pan-seared to flaky perfection, letting the natural honey maple flavor shine in a kid-friendly way that is sweet and mild. Served alongside cool sliced mini cucumbers and a small bunch of red grapes, this plate is colorful and fun for kids to eat.
Sale items used: Fresh Honey Maple Salmon, Mini Cucumbers, California Red Grapes
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Purchase approximately 0.5 lb of honey maple salmon (one fillet) for one serving; serve with 2 to 3 mini cucumbers, sliced into rounds, and about 0.25 lb of red grapes on the side. The cucumbers and grapes need no cooking, making this a quick and easy plate to assemble.
Recipes:
- Easy Pan Seared Salmon - Honey Soy Glaze

Friday
Meal: Sliced Marinated Pork Loin Filet with Pasta and Tomato Basil Garlic Sauce
Description: A portion of marinated pork loin filet is roasted and sliced thin, then served alongside pasta tossed in a rich tomato basil garlic sauce and topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan - a comforting, Italian-style dinner kids will happily dig into. The mild marinade keeps the pork juicy and flavorful without being too bold for younger palates.
Sale items used: Fresh Marinated Pork Loin Filet, Reggano Tomato, Basil & Garlic Pasta Sauce, Reggano Parmesan Cheese
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: Use approximately 0.5 lb of pork loin filet for one serving; cook about 2 oz of dry pasta (from pantry) and toss with 3 to 4 tablespoons of pasta sauce; top with a light sprinkle of Parmesan (about 1 tablespoon). Make-ahead tip: the pork can be roasted earlier in the day and sliced just before serving to cut active dinner time down to about 15 minutes.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (0.5 lb): $1.25
- Baby Bella Mushrooms (1 pack, 8 oz): $1.29
- Earthly Grains Ready-to-Eat Rice Cups (x2): $3.30
- Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Pizza Dough (1 pack): $1.19
- Simply Nature Fresh Organic 85/15 Grass-Fed Ground Beef (1 lb): $5.99
- Reggano Regular Pizza Sauce (1 jar): $1.09
- Happy Farms Shredded Mozzarella (1 bag, 16 oz): $3.29
- Parkview Polska Kielbasa (1 pack): $2.89
- Simply Nature Organic Black Beans (1 can): $0.99
- Fresh Honey Maple Salmon (0.5 lb): $5.50
- Mini Cucumbers (1 pack, 16 oz): $1.69
- California Red Grapes (0.25 lb): $0.32
- Fresh Marinated Pork Loin Filet (0.5 lb): $1.50
- Reggano Tomato, Basil & Garlic Pasta Sauce (1 jar): $1.69
- Reggano Parmesan Cheese (1 container, 8 oz): $2.79

Pantry staples needed:
- Dry pasta (spaghetti, penne, or rotini)
- Olive oil or butter for cooking
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder (optional, for seasoning chicken and kielbasa)
- Cooking spray or neutral oil for the skillet