ALDI Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's plan leans on simple, mild flavors and hands-on foods that kids tend to love, from crispy baked drumsticks on Monday to a classic beef and rotini dinner on Tuesday. Pork takes center stage twice, with quick-seared chops and sweet apples on Wednesday and a mild stir-fry version with veggies and rice on Thursday, so you get variety without buying a long list of proteins. Friday brings a nice change of pace with a whole baked salmon side, paired with rice and sweet potatoes for an easy but special-feeling dinner. Staples like the organic jasmine or basmati rice and yellow potatoes stretch across multiple meals, so your cart stays efficient while dinners still feel fresh night to night.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Potatoes
Description: Crispy oven-baked chicken drumsticks paired with roasted yellow potatoes, a simple familiar dinner kids love to eat with their hands. Seasoned lightly so it stays mild and family-friendly.
Sale items used: Perdue Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks, U.S. Grade #1 Organic Yellow Potatoes
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs chicken drumsticks and 1 (24 oz) bag organic yellow potatoes, cubed and roasted, for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes Recipe
- Herb Roasted Chicken Drumsticks & Potatoes Recipe - Rachel Cooks®
- Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks - On My Kids Plate

Tuesday
Meal: Ground Beef Rotini with Pasta Sauce
Description: Browned ground beef simmered in pasta sauce tossed with rotini pasta, a classic easy weeknight favorite. Topped with a little Italian cheese for extra comfort.
Sale items used: Fresh 73/27 Ground Beef, Reggano Farfalle or Rotini, Simply Nature Organic Pasta Sauce, Emporium Selection Italian Cheese Wedge
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs ground beef, 1 box (12-16 oz) rotini, 1 jar (23.5-24 oz) pasta sauce, and 2 oz shredded cheese wedge for topping, for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Rotini Pasta • Salt & Lavender
- Ground Beef Pasta (One Pot)
- One Pot Ground Beef Pasta (Easy 30-Minute Dinner) - Mindy's Cooking Obsession

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Sauteed Apples
Description: Thin-sliced pork chops pan-seared until golden and served with lightly sauteed sweet apple slices, a mild sweet-and-savory dinner kids enjoy. Quick to cook and simple to plate.
Sale items used: Fresh Thin-Sliced Assorted Pork Chops, New York Gala Apples
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs thin-sliced pork chops and about 1 lb (from a 3-lb bag) Gala apples, sliced and sauteed, for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Pork Chops With Apples Recipe
- Pan Seared Pork Chops with Apples (Fall-Inspired Dinner) - Hip Hip Gourmet
- Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Sautéed Apples

Thursday
Meal: Pork Strip Stir-Fry with Vegetables and Rice
Description: Marinated pork strips stir-fried with a mild Asian-style sauce and frozen vegetables, served over rice for an easy family dinner. Kid-friendly flavors that aren't spicy.
Sale items used: Smithfield Fresh Marinated Pork Strips, Burman's Asian Stir Fry Sauce, Season's Choice Asian Medley or Broccoli Stir Fry, Simply Nature Organic Jasmine or Basmati Rice
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 2 packs (32 oz total) marinated pork strips, 1 bottle stir fry sauce, 1 bag (12 oz) frozen Asian medley, and half of a 32 oz box of rice, for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Easy Pork Stir Fry Recipe (20-Minute Dinner with Vegetables)
- Pork Stir Fry Recipe
- Quick & Easy Pork Stir Fry Recipe | Buns In My Oven

Friday
Meal: Baked Salmon Side with Rice and Sweet Potatoes
Description: A whole baked salmon side seasoned simply, served alongside rice and frozen sweet potatoes for a wholesome, mild dinner. A nice special-night treat that's still easy to make.
Sale items used: Fresh Atlantic Salmon Side, Simply Nature Organic Jasmine or Basmati Rice, Simply Nature Organic Squash or Sweet Potatoes
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs salmon side, remaining half of the 32 oz box of rice, and 1 bag (10 oz) frozen sweet potatoes, for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Honey Rosemary Baked Salmon with Sweet Potatoes
- A Very Good Salmon Rice Bowl - Sandra Valvassori
- Baked Salmon and Sweet Potato Nuggets - Happy Kids Kitchen by Heather Wish Staller

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Perdue Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks (2 lbs): $1.78
- U.S. Grade #1 Organic Yellow Potatoes (1 bag): $3.99
- Fresh 73/27 Ground Beef (1.5 lbs): $6.44
- Reggano Farfalle or Rotini (1 box): $1.09
- Simply Nature Organic Pasta Sauce (1 jar): $2.19
- Emporium Selection Italian Cheese Wedge (1 wedge): $4.39
- Fresh Thin-Sliced Assorted Pork Chops (2 lbs): $6.38
- New York Gala Apples (1 bag): $1.99
- Smithfield Fresh Marinated Pork Strips (2 packs): $9.98
- Burman's Asian Stir Fry Sauce (1 bottle): $2.29
- Season's Choice Asian Medley or Broccoli Stir Fry (1 bag): $1.59
- Simply Nature Organic Jasmine or Basmati Rice (1 box): $4.29
- Fresh Atlantic Salmon Side (2 lbs): $16.58
- Simply Nature Organic Squash or Sweet Potatoes (1 bag): $2.49

Pantry staples needed:
- Salt, pepper, cooking oil, and butter for seasoning and sauteing