Kroger Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

SALE ITEMS FOUND

Meats on sale:
- Springer Mountain Boneless Chicken Breasts or Tenders: Buy 1, Get 1 Free
- Pork Butt: Buy 1, Get 1 Free
- Chuck Roast: $3.67/lb
- Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage: Buy 1, Get 1 Free
- Hormel Pepperoni: $14.99 each
- Simple Truth Organic 85% Lean Ground Beef: $9.99/lb
- Wellshire Turkey Bacon: Buy 1, Get 1 Free
- Private Selection Burger Patties: Buy 1, Get 1 Free
- Private Selection Angus 80% Lean Ground Chuck: $4.99/lb
- Private Selection Jumbo EZ Peel Shrimp: $9.99/lb
- Private Selection Fried Chicken 4-Piece: $5.99 each
- Private Selection Fried Chicken 5-Piece Drumsticks: $4.99 each

Vegetables on sale:
- Kroger Adorbs Seedless Mandarins: $1.99/lb
- Kroger California Tri-Color Peppers: Buy 1, Get 1 Free
- Petite Gourmet Potatoes: Buy 1, Get 1 Free
- Red, Green or Black Seedless Grapes: $1.99/lb
- Pink Lady Apples: $1.99/lb
- Red or Black Plums: $1.99/lb
- Blueberries: 3/$11 with Card
- Raspberries: 3/$11 with Card
- Baby Bella or White Mushrooms: $1.24 each with Card
- Pico de Gallo: $1.99/lb with Card

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage and Rice Skillet
Description: Sliced smoked sausage is browned in a skillet with colorful tri-color peppers and cooked together with fluffy Minute Rice for a one-pan dinner kids will love. The mild, savory sausage and sweet peppers make this a simple, satisfying weeknight meal ready in about 20 minutes.
Sale items used: Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage (1 package, BOGO - pay for 1), Kroger California Tri-Color Peppers (1 pack, BOGO - pay for 1), Minute Rice
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use half of one 13 oz Hillshire Farm sausage link (about 6-7 oz per person is generous; slice the full link and use what you need, saving the rest). Use half the tri-color pepper pack (1 large pepper), diced. Cook 1 cup dry Minute Rice to yield 2 cups cooked, split evenly between 2 plates. The second sausage link and remaining peppers are free with BOGO and can be refrigerated for later in the week.
Recipes:
- Easy Smoked Sausage Skillet
- Cheesy Smoked Sausage And Rice Skillet
- Smoked Sausage and Pepper Skillet

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Chuck Roast with Barilla Pasta
Description: A small chuck roast is seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and garlic then slow-baked until fork-tender, served alongside buttered Barilla pasta that kids can twirl and enjoy. This is a cozy, familiar comfort meal with mild flavors that the whole family will find satisfying.
Sale items used: Chuck Roast ($3.67/lb), Barilla Pasta ($0.99 each)
Prep time: 20 minutes active prep, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours total bake time
Serving note: Purchase approximately 1.5 lbs of chuck roast for 2 people (estimated cost: $5.51). Season and bake covered at 300 degrees F for 2.5 to 3 hours until tender. Cook half a box (8 oz) of Barilla pasta and toss with butter and a pinch of salt for the kids. Make-ahead tip: start the roast early afternoon so it is ready by dinner; it holds well covered in foil.

Wednesday
Meal: Private Selection Fried Chicken Drumsticks with Barilla Pasta Salad
Description: Ready-made crispy fried chicken drumsticks from the store take all the cooking work out of the equation, paired with a simple cold Barilla pasta salad tossed with diced tri-color peppers and Italian dressing. Kids love picking up drumsticks with their hands, making this a fun and easy midweek dinner.
Sale items used: Private Selection Fried Chicken 5-Piece Drumsticks ($4.99 each), Barilla Pasta ($0.99 each), Kroger California Tri-Color Peppers (BOGO free pack already purchased Monday)
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: One 5-piece drumstick pack feeds 2 people well (about 2 to 3 drumsticks each). Cook half a box (8 oz) of Barilla pasta, cool it, and toss with diced leftover tri-color peppers and Italian dressing from the pantry. Serve drumsticks warm or at room temperature alongside the chilled pasta salad.
Recipes:
- Fried chicken drumsticks with pasta salad
- SFC Drumsticks and pasta salad

Thursday
Meal: Ground Chuck Beef Tacos with Pico de Gallo
Description: Seasoned ground chuck beef is cooked in a skillet and served in soft or crunchy taco shells topped with fresh Pico de Gallo and shredded Tillamook cheese for a kid-favorite taco night. Keep the seasoning mild with just cumin, garlic powder, and a little salt so the flavors are familiar and not spicy at all.
Sale items used: Private Selection Angus 80% Lean Ground Chuck ($4.99/lb), Pico de Gallo ($1.99/lb with Card), Tillamook Cheese (BOGO)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 1 lb of ground chuck (estimated cost: $4.99) which is plenty for 2 people with leftovers. Purchase approximately 0.5 lb of Pico de Gallo (estimated cost: $1.00) for topping. Buy one package of Tillamook cheese and get the second free with BOGO; shred or slice as needed for tacos. Taco shells are a pantry staple. Each person gets 3 to 4 tacos.
Recipes:
- Ground Beef Tacos

Friday
Meal: Garlic Butter Pan-Seared Shrimp over Minute Rice
Description: Jumbo shrimp are quickly pan-seared in garlic butter until pink and tender, then served over a bed of fluffy Minute Rice for a dinner that feels special but comes together in under 15 minutes. The mild buttery garlic flavor is a big hit with kids and the shrimp cook so fast it is a perfect end-of-week easy meal.
Sale items used: Private Selection Jumbo EZ Peel Shrimp ($9.99/lb), Minute Rice ($0.99 each)
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 1 lb of jumbo shrimp (estimated cost: $9.99), which gives each person a generous portion of about 8 to 10 shrimp depending on count. Peel and devein before cooking (EZ Peel makes this quick). Cook 1 cup dry Minute Rice to yield 2 cups cooked, divided evenly between 2 bowls. Sear shrimp in butter and minced garlic from the pantry for 2 to 3 minutes per side.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage (x1 pack, get 1 free with BOGO): $4.99
- Kroger California Tri-Color Peppers (x1 pack, get 1 free with BOGO): $3.99
- Minute Rice (x2 boxes): $1.98
- Chuck Roast (1.5 lbs at $3.67/lb): $5.51
- Barilla Pasta (x2 boxes): $1.98
- Private Selection Fried Chicken 5-Piece Drumsticks (x1): $4.99
- Private Selection Angus 80% Lean Ground Chuck (1 lb at $4.99/lb): $4.99
- Pico de Gallo (0.5 lb at $1.99/lb): $1.00
- Tillamook Cheese (x1 pack, get 1 free with BOGO): $5.99
- Private Selection Jumbo EZ Peel Shrimp (1 lb at $9.99/lb): $9.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Butter
- Garlic (minced or fresh cloves)
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic powder
- Italian dressing (for pasta salad)
- Taco shells (soft or crunchy)
- Sour cream (optional taco topping)