Food Lion Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Chicken Drumsticks: $0.79/lb - about 2.5 lbs feeds 4 = $1.98 for 4 people ($0.50/serving)
- Chicken Thighs: $1.49/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4 = $2.98 for 4 people ($0.75/serving)
- Chicken Wings: $0.99/lb - about 3 lbs feeds 4 = $2.97 for 4 people ($0.74/serving) - note: wings have lower meat yield, so 3 lbs is realistic
- Pork Loin Roast or Pork Tenderloin: $3.02/lb - about 1.5 lbs feeds 4 = $4.53 for 4 people ($1.13/serving)
- Hillshire Farm Smoked Dinner Sausage: $4.99 for 16 oz. Pkg. - one 16 oz. package feeds 4 = $4.99 for 4 people ($1.25/serving)
- Swift Dry Rub St. Louis Style Pork Ribs: $3.99/lb - about 3 lbs feeds 4 = $11.97 for 4 people ($2.99/serving)
- Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops: $4.99/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4 = $9.98 for 4 people ($2.50/serving)
- Fresh Ground Beef Patties 73% Lean: $5.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs feeds 4 = $8.99 for 4 people ($2.25/serving)
- Boneless Shoulder Roast Beef: $5.89 each - one roast feeds 4+ = $5.89 for 4 people ($1.47/serving) - note: flat price per roast, economical despite beef category
- Stew Beef Bottom Round Roast: $5.99/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4 = $11.98 for 4 people ($3.00/serving)
- Great Fish Catfish Nuggets: $7.99 for 32 oz. Pkg. - one package feeds 4 = $7.99 for 4 people ($2.00/serving)
- Nature's Promise Raw Shrimp: $9.99 for 12 oz. Bag - 12 oz. is a light serving for 4; two bags needed = $19.98 for 4 people ($5.00/serving) - skipped: too expensive and bulk cost too high
- Fresh Atlantic Salmon Side: $11.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs feeds 4 = $17.99 for 4 people ($4.50/serving) - skipped: premium price pushes weekly total over ceiling
- Food Lion Raw Shrimp: $8.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs feeds 4 = $13.49 for 4 people ($3.37/serving) - skipped: premium price

Corrected ranking (cheapest to most expensive per serving, used proteins only):
- Chicken Drumsticks: $0.79/lb - 2.5 lbs = $1.98 ($0.50/serving)
- Chicken Thighs: $1.49/lb - 2 lbs = $2.98 ($0.75/serving)
- Hillshire Farm Smoked Dinner Sausage: $4.99 for 16 oz. Pkg. - 1 pkg = $4.99 ($1.25/serving)
- Boneless Shoulder Roast Beef: $5.89 each - 1 roast = $5.89 ($1.47/serving)
- Great Fish Catfish Nuggets: $7.99 for 32 oz. Pkg. - 1 pkg = $7.99 ($2.00/serving) - this is the premium night

Why these meals: Chicken drumsticks at $0.79/lb and chicken thighs at $1.49/lb are the two best protein deals on this entire flyer, and they anchor two of the five dinners without repeating the same preparation. Hillshire Farm Smoked Dinner Sausage at $4.99 for a full pound and the Boneless Shoulder Roast Beef at a flat $5.89 each round out two more very affordable nights, with the roast delivering plenty of meat for four people at a price that beats most ground beef options this week. The Great Fish Catfish Nuggets at $7.99 for a full 32-ounce package earn the one premium night because they are the most kid-friendly seafood option on the flyer, they come pre-portioned for easy breading and frying, and at $2.00 per serving they are actually the most affordable "premium" choice available. Salmon and shrimp were deliberately skipped because even on sale they would push the weekly total well above the comfortable range for a family of four. Russet potatoes, carrots, baked beans, pasta sauce, and biscuits from the sale round out the sides and keep the full week well within budget.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Russet Potatoes and Baby Carrots
Description: Chicken drumsticks are seasoned and baked in the oven until the skin is golden and the meat is cooked through, served alongside chunks of russet potato and baby carrots roasted on the same pan. This is a classic, no-fuss dinner that kids recognize and love, with tender meat they can pick up and eat.
Sale items used: Chicken Drumsticks, Food Lion Russet Potatoes, Food Lion Supreme Baby Cut Carrots
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes oven time (60 minutes total)
Serving note: Use 2.5 lbs chicken drumsticks (roughly 8-10 pieces for 4 people), 2 lbs russet potatoes cut into chunks (about half the 5 lb bag), and 1 lb baby carrots (half the 2 lb bag). Season with pantry olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bake everything at 425 degrees F for 40-45 minutes, flipping potatoes halfway through.
Recipes:
- Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes Recipe

Tuesday
Meal: Hillshire Farm Smoked Dinner Sausage with Baked Beans and Corn on the Cob
Description: Sliced smoked dinner sausage is pan-seared until browned and served with warm baked beans and sweet corn on the cob, making a backyard-cookout-style plate that kids go crazy for. The smoky, savory sausage pairs perfectly with the sweet beans and corn for a meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Sale items used: Hillshire Farm Smoked Dinner Sausage, Bush's Grillin' or Best Baked Beans, Birds Eye Corn on the Cob
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package (16 oz.) Hillshire Farm Smoked Dinner Sausage sliced into coins, 2 cans (16 oz. each) Bush's Grillin' or Best Baked Beans, and 4 ears from 1 package Birds Eye Corn on the Cob (12 ct. package; use 4 ears, save the rest for another meal). Microwave or boil corn per package directions. Warm beans in a saucepan and pan-sear sausage slices in a skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side.
Recipes:
- Cowboy Beans | Hillshire Farm® Brand
- Smoked Sausage and Green Beans with Corn (One Pot Meal)
- Smoked Sausage and Potato Skillet | Hillshire Farm® Brand

Wednesday
Meal: Braised Boneless Shoulder Roast Beef with Mashed Potatoes
Description: A boneless shoulder roast beef is seared in a pot, then braised low and slow in the oven with a splash of broth until fork-tender, sliced and served over creamy mashed potatoes made from russet potatoes. This is a comforting, hearty dinner that fills up hungry kids and adults alike. Make-ahead note: start the braise 2.5 to 3 hours before dinner; active prep is only about 20 minutes.
Sale items used: Boneless Shoulder Roast Beef, Food Lion Russet Potatoes
Prep time: 20 minutes active, 2.5 to 3 hours braise time
Serving note: Use 1 Boneless Shoulder Roast Beef (approximately 2-3 lbs as sold, flat price of $5.89). Use the remaining roughly 3 lbs of russet potatoes from Monday's bag for mashed potatoes. Sear roast on all sides in an oven-safe pot, add 1 cup water or broth, cover tightly, and braise at 325 degrees F for 2.5 to 3 hours. Rest 10 minutes before slicing. Start no later than 3 hours before serving time.
Recipes:
- Braised Beef - Craving Tasty
- Braised beef pot roast with creamy mashed potatoes: A hearty dinner that's perfect for cold days

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Fried Catfish Nuggets with Biscuits and Baby Carrots
Description: Great Fish Catfish Nuggets are coated in House Autry Breader Mix and pan-fried until crispy and golden, served with warm Food Lion Jumbo Biscuits and fresh baby carrots on the side for dipping. Kids love the crunchy coating and mild fish flavor, and the biscuits make it feel like a fun Friday-fish-fry night a day early.
Sale items used: Great Fish Catfish Nuggets, House Autry Breader Mix, Food Lion Jumbo Biscuits, Food Lion Supreme Baby Cut Carrots, Food Lion Chicken Dipping Sauce
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package (32 oz.) Great Fish Catfish Nuggets, 1 package (10 oz.) House Autry Breader Mix (one package is sufficient to coat the full 32 oz. of nuggets), 1 package (16 oz.) Food Lion Jumbo Biscuits (bake per package directions), and the remaining 1 lb baby carrots from the 2 lb bag. Serve with 1 bottle (16 oz.) Food Lion Chicken Dipping Sauce. Fry nuggets in about 1 inch of pantry vegetable oil in a skillet at medium-high heat, 3-4 minutes per side, until golden.
Recipes:
- Oven Fried Catfish Nuggets Recipe - Mashed

Friday
Meal: Baked Chicken Thigh Tacos with Pace Mild Chunky Salsa and Shredded Cheese
Description: Bone-in chicken thighs are baked until juicy and the skin is crispy, then the meat is pulled from the bone and served in Mission Flour Tortillas with shredded cheese, sour cream, and mild salsa for a build-your-own taco night that kids love. This is a hands-on, fun Friday dinner where everyone can customize their own plate.
Sale items used: Chicken Thighs, Mission Flour Tortillas, Food Lion Chunk or Shredded Cheese, Food Lion Squeeze Sour Cream, Pace Mild Chunky Salsa
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 40 minutes oven time (55 minutes total)
Serving note: Use 2 lbs chicken thighs (approximately 4-5 pieces), baked at 400 degrees F for 35-40 minutes until cooked through, then meat removed from bone and shredded with a fork. Use 1 package (17.5 oz.) Mission Flour Tortillas, 1 package (8 oz.) Food Lion Chunk or Shredded Cheese, 1 bottle (14 oz.) Food Lion Squeeze Sour Cream, and 1 jar (15.25 oz.) Pace Mild Chunky Salsa. Set out toppings family-style for a build-your-own taco bar.
Recipes:
- Simple Baked Salsa Chicken Thighs - Project Meal Plan

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Chicken Drumsticks (2.5 lbs): $1.98
- Food Lion Russet Potatoes (1 bag, 5 lbs): $2.99
- Food Lion Supreme Baby Cut Carrots (1 bag, 2 lbs): $1.49
- Hillshire Farm Smoked Dinner Sausage (x1 pkg, 16 oz.): $4.99
- Bush's Grillin' or Best Baked Beans (x2 cans, 16 oz. each): $2.98
- Birds Eye Corn on the Cob (x1 pkg, 12 Ct.): $3.79
- Boneless Shoulder Roast Beef (x1): $5.89
- Great Fish Catfish Nuggets (x1 pkg, 32 oz.): $7.99
- House Autry Breader Mix (x1 pkg, 10 oz.): $0.99
- Food Lion Jumbo Biscuits (x1 pkg, 16 oz.): $2.49
- Food Lion Chicken Dipping Sauce (x1 bottle, 16 oz.): $1.99
- Chicken Thighs (2 lbs): $2.98
- Mission Flour Tortillas (x1 pkg, 17.5 oz.): $2.49
- Food Lion Chunk or Shredded Cheese (x1 pkg, 8 oz.): $3.99
- Food Lion Squeeze Sour Cream (x1 bottle, 14 oz.): $2.49
- Pace Mild Chunky Salsa (x1 jar, 15.25 oz.): $1.38

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or vegetable oil (for roasting and frying)
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Butter (for mashed potatoes)
- Milk (for mashed potatoes)
- Beef or chicken broth (for Wednesday braise, or use water)