ALDI Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The kielbasa and chicken thighs are the real stars of this week's flyer - both are genuinely low-cost proteins that stretch well across a family dinner. The marinated pork loin filet is another fantastic deal at $2.99/lb since it comes pre-seasoned, saving you time and money on flavoring. Black beans anchor one meatless night and cost almost nothing, making them a smart mid-week choice. Ground beef at $5.99/lb is the priciest of the everyday proteins this week, so it earns its spot by going into a crowd-pleasing skillet dinner that kids reliably love. Salmon at $10.99/lb is the single premium pick - it is the better value of the two premium options compared to lamb, and the honey maple preparation is mild and sweet enough that even picky eaters tend to enjoy it. Lamb steaks were skipped entirely since salmon is both cheaper per serving and more kid-friendly. The week's total lands comfortably in the $15-to-$19 per person range, helped by leaning on pantry staples and inexpensive produce to round out each plate.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Polska Kielbasa and Rice Skillet with Mini Cucumbers
Description: Sliced Parkview Polska Kielbasa is browned in a skillet until lightly caramelized, then stirred together with warmed Earthly Grains Ready-to-Eat Rice Cups for a quick, hearty one-pan dinner kids love. Sliced mini cucumbers served on the side add a cool, crunchy contrast that keeps little hands busy.
Sale items used: Parkview Polska Kielbasa Assorted Varieties (13-14 oz), Earthly Grains Ready-to-Eat Rice Cups (8.8 oz), Mini Cucumbers
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 1 pkg kielbasa sliced into coins, 2 rice cups warmed and stirred in, half of the 16-oz pkg of mini cucumbers sliced for the side - feeds 4 comfortably.

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Honey Maple Salmon with Peaches
Description: Fresh Honey Maple Salmon fillets are baked in the oven until flaky and tender, with the sweet glaze already built in for zero-fuss prep. Sliced fresh peaches served alongside make a naturally sweet, colorful side that kids find fun to eat.
Sale items used: Fresh Honey Maple Salmon, Peaches
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs of salmon (roughly four 6-oz portions), baked at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes; 1 bag (2 lbs) of peaches sliced and served fresh on the side.
Recipes:
- Honey Glazed Salmon With Peaches
- Peach Honey Baked Salmon Recipe

Wednesday
Meal: Homemade Cheese Pizza with Mozzarella and Pizza Sauce
Description: Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Pizza Dough is stretched out and topped with Reggano Regular Pizza Sauce and Happy Farms Shredded Mozzarella, then baked until bubbly and golden - a hands-on dinner kids can help build themselves. Keep it simple with classic cheese or let each child add their own toppings from the pantry.
Sale items used: Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Pizza Dough (16 oz), Reggano Regular or Spicy Pizza Sauce (14 oz), Happy Farms Shredded Mozzarella (16 oz)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 1 pkg dough pressed into a sheet pan or round, 1 jar pizza sauce spread on top, 1 bag shredded mozzarella divided across the pie - makes one large pizza serving 4.

Thursday
Meal: Stovetop Ground Beef and Black Bean Cheesy Skillet
Description: Organic grass-fed ground beef is browned in a skillet and combined with Simply Nature Organic Black Beans, then finished with Happy Farms Mexican or Sharp Cheddar melted over the top for a gooey, satisfying dinner. Serve with the remaining mini cucumbers on the side for a fresh crunch kids enjoy.
Sale items used: Fresh Family Pack Organic Grass-Fed 93% Ground Beef (Simply Nature, 4-lb pkg), Simply Nature Organic Black Beans (15.5 oz), Happy Farms 2% Milk Mexican or Sharp Cheddar (11 oz), Mini Cucumbers
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of ground beef from the 4-lb pkg (freeze the rest), 1 can black beans drained and rinsed, 1 pkg cheddar shredded and melted over the top; remaining half of the mini cucumber pkg sliced for the side.
Recipes:
- Cheesy Black Bean and Beef Skillet Recipe
- Beef Taco Skillet

Friday
Meal: Oven-Baked Marinated Pork Loin Filet with Strawberries
Description: Fresh Marinated Pork Loin Filet is roasted in the oven until juicy and cooked through, with the marinade doing all the flavor work so there is almost no prep involved. Fresh strawberries served on the side make a sweet, festive Friday-night treat that kids look forward to.
Sale items used: Fresh Marinated Pork Loin Filet, Strawberries
Prep time: 45 minutes (35 minutes active oven time, 10 minutes rest)
Serving note: 1.5 lbs pork loin filet roasted at 425 degrees F for about 25-30 minutes until internal temp reaches 145 degrees F; rest 10 minutes before slicing into 4 portions; 1 lb pkg strawberries hulled and served fresh alongside. Make-ahead note: the pork can go into the oven as soon as you get home - set a timer and it is ready in under 45 minutes total.
Recipes:
- roasted pork loin with honey and caramelized fruit
- Rosemary Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Strawberries

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Parkview Polska Kielbasa Assorted Varieties (x1 pkg): $2.89
- Earthly Grains Ready-to-Eat Rice Cups (x2 cups): $3.30
- Mini Cucumbers (x1 pkg): $1.69
- Fresh Honey Maple Salmon (1.5 lbs): $16.49
- Peaches (1 x 2-lb bag): $2.78
- Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Pizza Dough (x1 pkg): $1.19
- Reggano Regular or Spicy Pizza Sauce (x1 jar): $1.09
- Happy Farms Shredded Mozzarella (x1 pkg): $3.29
- Fresh Family Pack Organic Grass-Fed 93% Ground Beef (Simply Nature, 4-lb pkg) (x1 pkg): $23.96
- Simply Nature Organic Black Beans (x1 can): $0.99
- Happy Farms 2% Milk Mexican or Sharp Cheddar (x1 pkg): $2.79
- Fresh Marinated Pork Loin Filet (1.5 lbs): $4.49
- Strawberries (x1 pkg): $1.89

Pantry staples needed:
- Cooking oil (for skillet browning)
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder (optional, for pizza or skillet)
- Olive oil or butter (for baking salmon and pork)
- Cumin or chili powder (optional, for the beef and bean skillet)