ALDI Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's plan leans on kid favorites like drumsticks, breaded patties on brioche buns, and nuggets, so chicken shows up on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, with pizza on Wednesday and pork ribs on Thursday to break things up. One bottle of Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce at $3.24 covers both Monday's drumsticks and Thursday's ribs, and a single bag of Organic Baby Peeled Carrots at $1.39 stretches across Tuesday and Wednesday. Grapes, apple slices and tomatoes add fresh, colorful sides, and the Mama Cozzi's pizza at $5.99 makes Wednesday an easy build-your-own night. The ribs need about 2.5 hours in the oven on Thursday, so season them in the morning and let the oven do the work later.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks with Yellow Potatoes
Description: Drumsticks are brushed with Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce and baked until sticky and tender. Bite-Size Yellow Potatoes roast on the same pan until golden.
Sale items used: Perdue Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks, Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce, Bite-Size Yellow Potatoes
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Use 3 lbs drumsticks (about 3 per person) and 1 bag (24 oz) Bite-Size Yellow Potatoes halved, tossed in pantry oil and salt. Use 1 bottle BBQ sauce; the rest is used Thursday.
Recipes:
- Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks - On My Kids Plate
- Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks (Easy and Juicy) - Amira's Pantry
- Oven Baked Chicken Legs with Potatoes - Veronika's Kitchen

Tuesday
Meal: Chicken Patty Brioche Sliders with Carrot Sticks
Description: Baked Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Patties are tucked into Specially Selected Brioche Burger Buns for a fun handheld dinner. Serve with Organic Baby Peeled Carrots and Burman's Dipping Sauce... kids can dip as they like.
Sale items used: Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Patties, Specially Selected Brioche Burger Buns, Organic Baby Peeled Carrots
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 box of patties (assumed to give about 4 sandwiches), 1 package of buns, and half of 1 bag (8 oz) of carrots. Use the remaining carrots on Wednesday.
Recipes:
- Chicken Brioche Sliders - Brioche Gourmet
- Chicken Sliders • Crowd Pleasing Sliders Recipe - Two Purple Figs
- BBQ Chicken Slider Recipe - Entertaining with Beth

Wednesday
Meal: Build-Your-Own Pizza Night with Carrots and Grapes
Description: Bake one Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Deli Pizza and let kids add their own tomato toppings if they like. Serve with Organic Baby Peeled Carrots and California Autumncrisp Grapes on the side.
Sale items used: Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Deli Pizza, Gourmet Medley Tomatoes, Organic Baby Peeled Carrots, California Autumncrisp Grapes
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pizza at the $5.99 price, half of 1 pkg (6 oz) tomatoes... halved for topping, remaining 8 oz carrots, and 1 pkg (2 lbs) grapes.
Recipes:
- 15 Pizza Night Ideas for Kids - The Crafting Foodie
- Homemade Pizza Bagel Bites - Healthy Family Project
- Rainbow Veggie Pizza + How to Get Kids to Eat Their Veg - The Gingered Whisk

Thursday
Meal: Slow-Baked BBQ St. Louis Pork Ribs with Apple Slices
Description: Smithfield Fresh St. Louis Pork Ribs are baked low and slow, then glazed with Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce. Crisp New York SweeTango apple slices cool things down.
Sale items used: Smithfield Fresh St. Louis Pork Ribs, Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce, New York SweeTango Apple Tote
Prep time: 150 minutes
Serving note: Use 3 lbs ribs and 1 lb apples (about 2-3 apples). Total time is about 2.5 hours, so season the ribs in the morning and bake covered at 300F for 2 hours, then glaze and finish 15 minutes. Use the remaining BBQ sauce from Monday's bottle.
Recipes:
- BBQ St. Louis Ribs in the Oven - Bites with Bri
- Oven Baked BBQ St Louis Ribs - Eat Simple Food
- St. Louis Ribs Slow-Roasted in the Oven - Umami Girl

Friday
Meal: Crispy Chicken Nuggets with Avocado and Tomato Salad
Description: Oven-baked Kirkwood Family Size Chicken Nuggets are served with Season's Choice Whole Onion Rings for a fun finger-food dinner. Mashed Organic Avocados and Gourmet Medley Tomatoes make a simple fresh side.
Sale items used: Kirkwood Family Size Chicken Nuggets, Season's Choice Whole Onion Rings, Organic Avocados, Gourmet Medley Tomatoes
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 bag nuggets, 1 bag onion rings, 2 avocados from the 4-Pack (use 2 more as a snack or in lunches), and the remaining 6 oz tomatoes.
Recipes:
- Chicken Avocado Tomato Salad - The Harvest Kitchen
- Crunchy Chicken Cobb Salad - The Speckled Palate
- Crispy Chicken Avocado Salad - Cookies for Day

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Perdue Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks (3 lbs): $2.67
- Smithfield Fresh St. Louis Pork Ribs (3 lbs): $7.47
- Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce (1 bottle): $3.24
- Bite-Size Yellow Potatoes (1 bag, 24 oz): $2.49
- Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Patties (1 box): $4.99
- Specially Selected Brioche Burger Buns (1 package): $3.99
- Organic Baby Peeled Carrots (1 bag, 16 oz): $1.39
- Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Deli Pizza (1 pizza): $5.99
- Gourmet Medley Tomatoes (1 pkg, 12 oz): $2.79
- California Autumncrisp Grapes (1 pkg, 2 lbs): $4.99
- New York SweeTango Apple Tote (1 lb): $0.99
- Kirkwood Family Size Chicken Nuggets (1 bag): $6.89
- Season's Choice Whole Onion Rings (1 bag): $3.29
- Organic Avocados (1 4-Pack): $3.49

Pantry staples needed:
- Cooking oil
- Salt and pepper
- Butter (optional for buns)