Kroger Kid-Friendly Meal Plan
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5-DAY MEAL PLAN
Monday
Meal: Baked Penne Pasta with Prego Marinara and Kraft Shredded Cheese
Description: Tender penne pasta is tossed with Prego marinara sauce, topped with a generous handful of Kraft shredded cheese, and baked until bubbly and golden - a classic kid favorite that comes together in one dish. Scaled for one person, this uses about 2 cups of dry pasta and a hearty scoop of sauce for a satisfying, cheesy dinner.
Sale items used: Kroger Pasta (penne, 12-16 oz), Prego Pasta Sauce (14.5-24 oz), Kraft Shredded Cheese (7-8 oz)
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use about 2 oz dry penne, 1/2 cup marinara sauce, and 1/4 cup shredded cheese for one child-sized portion; the pasta box and sauce jar will have plenty left over for another meal. Bake at 375 degrees F for 15-18 minutes after boiling the pasta.
Recipes:
- Baked Penne Pasta
Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Cooked Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Sausage with Sweet Corn and Gourmet Potatoes
Description: Sliced Johnsonville smoked dinner sausage is pan-cooked until lightly browned and served alongside sweet corn and tender roasted gourmet potatoes - a simple, hearty plate that kids love. Everything cooks quickly on the stovetop or in the oven, making this a low-stress weeknight dinner.
Sale items used: Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Sausage (9.6-14 oz, 1 pack), Kroger Sweet Corn 4 ct or Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes 1.5 lb (2 for $7.00)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 sausage links from the pack, 1 ear of sweet corn, and about 1/2 cup of gourmet potatoes for one serving; the remaining sausage can be refrigerated for another meal. The 2-for-$7.00 deal requires buying both the corn 4-pack and the gourmet potatoes together.
Recipes:
- Smoked Sausage and Potato Skillet Recipe
Wednesday
Meal: Skillet Ground Beef Cheeseburgers on Private Selection Buns with Sargento Cheese Slices
Description: A juicy skillet-cooked ground beef patty is melted with a Sargento cheese slice and served on a soft Private Selection bun - a fun, familiar dinner that kids always enjoy. Simple toppings like ketchup and mustard keep it classic and crowd-pleasing.
Sale items used: Kroger 93% Lean Ground Beef (3 lb package, $6.99/lb), Sargento Cheese Slices (8-20 ct, 2 for $5.00), Private Selection Buns (8 ct, $3.49)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Assume 0.5 lb of ground beef for one burger patty at $6.99/lb, totaling $3.50 for the meat portion; the 3 lb package will yield multiple meals so freeze the remainder. Use 1 cheese slice and 1 bun for one serving; the Sargento deal requires buying 2 packs at $2.50 each.
Thursday
Meal: Stovetop Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta with Prego Marinara and Kraft Shredded Cheese
Description: Sliced Simple Truth Italian chicken sausage is cooked in a skillet and tossed with pasta and warm Prego marinara, then finished with a sprinkle of Kraft shredded cheese for a quick and kid-friendly dinner. This stovetop version comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Sale items used: Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage (16 oz, $4.99), Kroger Pasta (12-16 oz), Prego Pasta Sauce (14.5-24 oz), Kraft Shredded Cheese (7-8 oz)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 chicken sausage links sliced into coins, about 2 oz dry pasta, 1/2 cup marinara, and a small handful of shredded cheese for one serving; leftover sausage keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days. The pasta, sauce, and cheese purchased earlier in the week carry over to this meal with no additional purchase needed.
Recipes:
- One Pot Pasta with Sausage
- Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta
Friday
Meal: Buttered Pasta with Kroger Large Shrimp and Kraft Shredded Cheese
Description: Simple buttered pasta is topped with quickly sauteed Kroger large shrimp and a light sprinkle of Kraft shredded cheese for a fun, mild seafood dinner kids will enjoy. The shrimp cook in just a few minutes, making this the fastest dinner of the week.
Sale items used: Kroger Large Shrimp 31-40 ct (Frozen, 12 oz, $7.00), Kroger Pasta (12-16 oz), Kraft Shredded Cheese (7-8 oz)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use about 6-8 shrimp (roughly 1/4 of the 12 oz bag) for one serving; thaw shrimp in cold water for 10 minutes before cooking. The remaining shrimp can be frozen again or used within 2 days. Use about 2 oz dry pasta and 2 tablespoons shredded cheese for one child-sized portion.
🛒 Shopping List
SHOPPING LIST
Buy on sale:
- Kroger Pasta (1 box, 12-16 oz - covers Monday, Thursday, and Friday): $1.25
- Prego Pasta Sauce (1 jar, 14.5-24 oz - covers Monday and Thursday): $1.59
- Kraft Shredded Cheese (2 packs, 7-8 oz each, 2 for $5.00 - covers Monday, Thursday, and Friday): $5.00
- Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Sausage (1 pack, 9.6-14 oz, with Digital Coupon): $2.99
- Kroger Sweet Corn 4 ct and Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes 1.5 lb (1 of each, 2 for $7.00): $7.00
- Kroger 93% Lean Ground Beef (0.5 lb used, from 3 lb package at $6.99/lb): $3.50
- Sargento Cheese Slices (2 packs, 2 for $5.00): $5.00
- Private Selection Buns (1 pack, 8 ct): $3.49
- Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage (1 pack, 16 oz): $4.99
- Kroger Large Shrimp 31-40 ct (1 bag, Frozen, 12 oz): $7.00
Pantry staples needed:
- Butter (for buttered pasta on Friday)
- Olive oil or cooking spray (for skillet cooking)
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Ketchup and mustard (for burgers)
🏷️ All sale items this week
SALE ITEMS FOUND
Meats on sale:
- Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts (Big Pack or Tenders or Thin Breasts): $3.99/lb
- Boneless Ribeye Steaks (Family Pack, Limit 5): $12.99/lb
- Kroger 93% Lean Ground Beef (3 lb package) or American BBQ Beef Patties 1.2 lb: $6.99/lb
- Hillshire Farm Lunch Meat (Select Varieties, 7-9 oz): 2 for $7.00
- Kroger Chicken Party Wings (Frozen, 2.5 lb): $7.99
- Kroger Large Shrimp 31-40 ct or Medium Shrimp 51-60 ct (Frozen, 12 oz): $7.00
- Private Selection Cedar Plank Salmon (Select Varieties, 24 oz): $17.99
- Sargento Mighty Bites (Select Varieties, 2.8 oz): 4 for $10.00
- Private Selection Fresh Roasted Chicken (Fully Cooked, Select Varieties, 2 lb): $7.99
- Private Selection Golden Roasted Chicken Breast or Pepper Jack Cheese: $9.99/lb
- Wendy's Beef Patties (1 lb): $8.00
- Johnsonville Smoked Dinner or Breakfast Sausage (Select Varieties, 9.6-14 oz): $2.99/ea (with Digital Coupon)
- Johnsonville Hatch Chile Sausage (Select Varieties, 19 oz): $5.00
- Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage (16 oz): $4.99/ea
- Hormel Bacon (Select Varieties, 9.3-16 oz): $5.99/ea
- Wright Bacon (Select Varieties, 24 oz): $6.99/ea (with Digital Coupon)
Deli and prepared on sale:
- Home Chef St. Louis Style Ribs (Fully Cooked, 2 lb, In the Deli): $13.99
- Yucatan Hatch Chile Guacamole (Mild or Medium, 7.5 oz, In the Deli): $4.99
- Private Selection Summer Hatch Chile Sushi Roll (Select Varieties, 10.6 oz, In the Deli): $9.99
- Private Selection Golden Roasted Chicken Breast or Pepper Jack Cheese (Sliced to Order or Grab & Go): $9.99/lb
Produce on sale:
- Kroger Sweet Corn 4 ct or Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes 1.5 lb (Select Varieties): 2 for $7.00
- Simple Truth Organic Blueberries (18 oz): $4.99
- Kroger Adorbs Seedless Mandarins (5 lb): $4.99/ea (with Digital Coupon)
- Washington Red Cherries: $3.99/lb (with Digital Coupon)
- California Yellow or White Peaches or Nectarines: $2.99/lb
- California Organic Red or Black Plums: $2.99/lb
- Organic Yellow or White Peaches or Nectarines: $3.99/lb
- Red, Green or Black Seedless Grapes: $2.49/lb
- Honeycrisp Apples: $2.99/lb
- Raspberries or Blackberries (6 oz): $2.99
- Fresh-Cut Fruit Bowls (Select Varieties, 18 oz): $5.00
- Zespri Sungold Kiwi (2 lb): $8.00
- Hatch Chile Peppers: $1.49/lb
- Hatch Sweet Onions (3 lb bag): $3.99
- Private Selection Vidalia Sweet Onions (3 lb): $3.79
- Bloom Haus Dozen Rose Bunch: $8.00
Dairy and eggs on sale:
- Kroger Cottage Cheese or Sour Cream (Select Varieties, 24 oz): 2 for $5.00
- Sargento Cheese Slices (8-20 ct): 2 for $5.00
- 24 ct Simple Truth Cage-Free Eggs Grade A: $4.99/ea (with Digital Coupon)
- Kroger Milk (Select Varieties, Half Gallon, Excludes Chocolate): $1.59/ea (with Digital Coupon)
- Pete & Gerry's Organic Eggs (Large, Grade A, 12 ct): $6.19
- Almond Breeze Almondmilk (Select Varieties, 96 fl oz): $4.99
- Fage or Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt (Select Varieties, 5.3 oz): 4 for $5.00
- Chobani Greek Yogurt Drink (7 fl oz) or Built Puff Protein Bar (1.41-1.55 oz): 2 for $4.00
- Coffee-Mate Creamer (32 fl oz or Cold Foam Creamer 14 oz, Select Varieties): $2.79/ea (with Digital Coupon)
Bakery and bread on sale:
- Blueberry Muffins or Other Varieties or Filled Croissants (Select Varieties, 4 ct, In the Bakery): $5.00
- Private Selection Fresh Baked Butter Croissants (Large 4 ct or Mini 12 ct, In the Bakery): $5.00
- Glazed Donuts or Mini Muffins (Select Varieties, 12 ct, In the Bakery): $5.00
- Angel Food Cake (9-13 oz) or Classic Cake 6" (Select Varieties): $6.00
- Frosted Sugar Cookies (Select Varieties, 10 ct, In the Bakery): $5.00
- Mini Cupcakes (Select Varieties, 12 ct, In the Bakery): $4.00
- Private Selection Buns (Select Varieties, 8 ct): $3.49
Pantry on sale:
- Prego Pasta Sauce (14.5-24 oz) or Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce (18 oz): $1.59/ea
- Hellmann's Mayonnaise (11.5 fl oz) or Kinder's Sauce (14.2-16.1 oz): $3.99
- Kraft Shredded Cheese (7-8 oz) or Wish-Bone Salad Dressing (15 fl oz): 2 for $5.00
- Kroger Pasta (Select Varieties, 12-16 oz): 4 for $5.00
- Cheez-It Crackers (9-12.4 oz) or Club Crackers (11-13.7 oz): 2 for $6.00 (Final Cost When You Buy 2)
- 4 lb Kroger Cheese (Select Varieties): $13.49
- Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers (4.8-8 oz) or Kroger Cranberry Juice Cocktail (64 fl oz): $1.99/ea
- Sargento Cheese Slices (8-20 ct) or Kroger Party Size Potato Chips (12.5-13 oz): 2 for $5.00
- Minute Maid Fruit Drink or Ade (59 fl oz) or Lay's Stax (5.5-5.75 oz): 2 for $4.00
- Kroger Steamer Vegetables (10-12 oz) or Snack Pack Pudding or Gelatin (4 ct): 2 for $3.00
- Nabisco Snack Crackers (3.5-8.5 oz) or Quaker Rice Cakes (4.5-7.23 oz): $2.99/ea
- Mio Water Enhancer (1.62 fl oz) or Planters Peanuts (16 oz): $2.49/ea
- Kingsford or Match Light Charcoal (Select Varieties, 12-16 lb): $11.99
- Kettle Brand Potato Chips (Select Varieties, 6-7.5 oz): $3.99
Frozen on sale:
- Private Selection Ice Cream (48 fl oz) or Popsicle Ice Pops (6-18 ct): $4.99
- Stouffer's or Lean Cuisine Entrée (Select Varieties, 5.75-12 oz): 4 for $10.00 (Final Cost When You Buy 4)
- Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwiches (Select Varieties, 8-20 ct): $10.99
- DiGiorno Pizza (14.14-30.3 oz) or Hot Pockets (4 ct): $3.99/ea (with Digital Coupon)
- Kellogg's Cereal (Select Varieties, 8.9-16.1 oz): $1.99/ea (with Digital Coupon)
- Morningstar Farms Entrée (5.25-12 oz) or Happy Egg Co. Eggs Large Grade A (12 ct): $3.99/ea
- Impossible Frozen Entrée (10-14 oz) or Kodiak Frozen Waffles (8-10 ct): $4.99/ea
- Just Bare Frozen Chicken (Select Varieties, 19.2-24 oz): $10.99/ea
- Stouffer's Family Size Entrée (Select Varieties, 28-40 oz): $8.99/ea
- Kroger 80% Lean Beef Patties (Frozen, 2 lb): $11.99
- El Monterey Family Pack Burritos (Select Varieties, 8 ct): $4.49/ea (with Digital Coupon)
- Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream (16 fl oz) or Breyers Ice Cream (48 fl oz): $3.49/ea (with Digital Coupon)
- Kroger Ice Cream (Select Varieties, 48 fl oz): $1.99/ea (Online Deal Days Price)
- Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream (14 fl oz or Bars 3-6 ct): $4.49/ea
- Private Selection Cheesecake (40 oz) or Bakery Fresh Ice Cream Cake (25.5-33.3 oz): $16.99/ea (with Digital Coupon)
🛒 Estimated Shopping Cost
Based on sale prices for items in this plan
$41.81
for 1 person · $41.81 per person
📍 Disclaimer: Prices and availability are based on the Kroger weekly sales flyer for the week of July 29, 2026. Flyers are sourced from store websites and weekly flyer aggregator sites. Actual prices may vary by location. Always verify prices at your local store. We are not affiliated with Kroger.