ALDI Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Cranberry-Glazed Baked Chicken Thighs with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans
Description: Boneless chicken thighs are brushed with a sweet cranberry glaze and baked until sticky and juicy. They are served with fluffy mashed potatoes and buttery green beans for an easy plate kids will clean up.
Sale items used: Chicken thighs, whole berry cranberry sauce, instant mashed potatoes, frozen green beans, butter
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 lb of chicken thighs (about 4 thighs) from the 2 lbs purchased. Mix 1/2 can of cranberry sauce with a pinch of salt and pepper and spoon it over the thighs. Bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes until they reach 175°F inside. Make 1 cup of dry instant potato flakes' worth of mashed potatoes (about 2 to 3 servings, using 1 Tbsp butter). Steam 6 oz (half the bag) of green beans. Save the remaining 1/2 can of cranberry sauce for Thursday. Total time is about 45 minutes.
Recipes:
- Cranberry-Glazed Chicken recipe
- Baked Cranberry Rosemary Chicken - The Ultimate Holiday One-Pan Dinner
- Baked Cranberry Chicken Thighs with Rosemary and Orange - Key To My Lime

Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Chicken Thigh Sliders on Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
Description: Bite-sized strips of chicken thigh are pan-seared until golden and tucked into soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls. Add a side of crisp apple slices for a fun, hands-on dinner.
Sale items used: Chicken thighs, Hawaiian sweet rolls, Gala apples, butter
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Use the remaining 1 lb of chicken thighs (4 thighs), pounded slightly and seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sear 5-6 minutes per side in a skillet with 1 Tbsp butter or oil until they reach 175°F, then slice and divide among 6 rolls (3 sliders each). Serve with 1 sliced apple per person. The other 6 rolls are saved for Thursday. Add cheese slices or ketchup if you like.
Recipes:
- Chicken Sliders Recipe (with Hawaiian Rolls)
- Shredded Chicken Sliders · Easy Family Recipes
- Avocado Ranch Chicken Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

Wednesday
Meal: Oven-Roasted Bone-in Ribeye Roast with Buttery Squash or Sweet Potatoes
Description: A small bone-in ribeye roast is seasoned simply, roasted until tender, and sliced for two. It is served with soft, buttery squash that has a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
Sale items used: Bone-in ribeye roast, frozen squash, butter
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Buy a 1.5 lb bone-in ribeye roast (about 2 ribs) from the meat counter, since a full-size roast is far too big for 2. Rub it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Roast at 425°F for 15 minutes, then lower to 325°F for 35-45 minutes until it reaches 135°F for medium (145°F if the kids prefer it more done). Rest it for 15 minutes before slicing. Microwave or roast 1 bag of squash and toss with 1 Tbsp butter and a pinch of salt. Total time is about 80 minutes, so put the squash in the oven for the last 20 minutes while the roast rests.
Recipes:
- Herb-Crusted Bone-In Ribeye Roast Recipe
- Easy Ribeye Roast (Prime Rib) - Grits and Gouda
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Butternut Squash ⋆ Easy + Tasty!

Thursday
Meal: Roast Whole Turkey with Green Beans and Crispy Fried Onions
Description: A classic roast turkey comes out golden and juicy, with plenty of tender meat for dinner tonight. Green beans topped with crunchy fried onions add a familiar, kid-friendly side.
Sale items used: Frozen whole turkey, frozen green beans, French fried onions, cranberry sauce, Hawaiian sweet rolls, butter
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Assume a 10 lb frozen turkey ($12.70). Two people will eat about 1 lb of meat tonight, and the rest becomes leftovers for Friday's pot pie, sandwiches, and the freezer. Thaw the frozen turkey in the fridge starting Monday morning (about 3 days). Rub it with butter, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and roast at 325°F for about 3 hours until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F, then rest it 20 minutes. Warm the remaining 6 oz of green beans with 1 tsp butter and top with 1/3 cup fried onions. Serve with the leftover 1/2 can of cranberry sauce and 2 Hawaiian rolls. Carve the rest of the turkey and refrigerate it for Friday.
Recipes:
- Roasted Green Beans with Caramelized Onions - Skinnytaste
- Roasted Green Beans with Fried Onions
- Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions - Renee Nicole's Kitchen

Friday
Meal: Turkey and Squash Pot Pie with a Pie Crust Top
Description: Leftover turkey and soft squash are folded into a creamy sauce and topped with a flaky pie crust. It bakes into a cozy, golden pot pie that is easy to make for two.
Sale items used: Leftover roast turkey, frozen squash, pie crust, butter
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 1/2 cups cubed leftover turkey and 1 cup of cooked squash (about 1/2 bag). Make a sauce with 2 Tbsp butter, 2 Tbsp flour, 1 cup broth, and 1/4 cup milk, then stir in the turkey and squash. Divide it between two ramekins or one small baking dish and top with 1 pie crust, cut to fit, with a few slits. Bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes until golden. Freeze the second crust for later. Total time is about 50 minutes.
Recipes:
- Turkey Pot Pie Recipe
- Turkey Pot Pie - Culinary Hill
- Mini Turkey Pot Pies with Butternut Squash and Bacon

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs (2 lbs): $4.58
- Bone-in ribeye roast (1.5 lbs): $13.49
- Frozen whole turkey (10 lbs): $12.70
- Instant mashed potatoes (x1 box): $1.85
- Frozen green beans (x1 bag): $2.49
- Whole berry cranberry sauce (x1 can): $1.59
- Hawaiian sweet rolls (x1 pack): $1.99
- Gala apples (x1 3-lb bag): $1.99
- Frozen squash (x2 bags): $4.98
- French fried onions (x1): $2.89
- Pie crusts (x1 pack): $1.89
- Butter quarters (x1 pack): $1.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Cooking oil
- All-purpose flour
- Chicken or turkey broth
- Milk
- Optional: cheese slices and ketchup for the sliders