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, spooned into a small baking dish, and topped with a generous blanket of Kraft shredded cheese before baking until bubbly and golden. This is a classic, crowd-pleasing dinner that kids absolutely love and comes together with almost no fuss.
Sale items used: Kroger Pasta (penne), Prego Pasta Sauce, Kraft Shredded Cheese
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use about 6 oz dry penne for 2 people, half a 24 oz jar of Prego marinara, and roughly half a 7-8 oz bag of Kraft shredded cheese. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 20 minutes after boiling the pasta. Leftover sauce and cheese carry forward to Thursday.
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-seared until lightly caramelized, then served alongside sweet corn on the cob and tender roasted gourmet potatoes for a simple, satisfying plate. Kids love the mild, savory sausage flavor paired with buttery corn and soft potatoes.
Sale items used: Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Sausage (1 pack, 9.6-14 oz), Kroger Sweet Corn 4 ct or Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes 1.5 lb (1 unit of each)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 full pack of Johnsonville smoked dinner sausage (about 9.6-14 oz), 2 ears of sweet corn, and half the 1.5 lb bag of gourmet potatoes. Cube and roast the potatoes at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes while the sausage and corn cook on the stovetop. Remember to clip the digital coupon for the sausage before checkout.
Recipes:
- Smoked Sausage and Potato Skillet Recipe
Wednesday
Meal: Skillet Ground Beef Cheeseburgers on Private Selection Buns with Sargento Cheese Slices
Description: Juicy homemade beef patties are cooked in a skillet and topped with melty Sargento cheese slices, then served on soft Private Selection buns with kid-friendly toppings like ketchup and mustard. This is a fun, hands-on dinner that feels like a backyard cookout any night of the week.
Sale items used: Kroger 93% Lean Ground Beef (3 lb package, use about 0.75 lb), Sargento Cheese Slices, Private Selection Buns (8 ct)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Form 2 patties from about 0.75 lb of ground beef (roughly 6 oz each). Use 2 Sargento cheese slices and 2 buns. The 3 lb ground beef package is the available sale format; freeze the remaining 2.25 lbs in portions for future meals. The 3 lb package costs $6.99/lb, so the full package is $20.97 - budget only the cost of the full package since it must be purchased as a unit, and freeze the rest.
Thursday
Meal: Stovetop Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta with Prego Marinara and Kraft Shredded Cheese
Description: Sliced Simple Truth Italian chicken sausage is browned in a pan, then simmered with the remaining Prego marinara and tossed with cooked pasta for a quick and flavorful one-pan dinner. A sprinkle of Kraft shredded cheese on top makes it extra kid-friendly and satisfying.
Sale items used: Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage (16 oz), Kroger Pasta, Prego Pasta Sauce (remaining from Monday), Kraft Shredded Cheese (remaining from Monday)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use the full 16 oz pack of chicken sausage sliced into coins, about 6 oz dry pasta, the remaining half jar of Prego marinara from Monday, and the remaining Kraft shredded cheese from Monday. Everything cooks in about 25 minutes start to finish.
Recipes:
- One Pot Pasta with Sausage
- Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta
Friday
Meal: Buttered Pasta with Kroger Large Shrimp and Kraft Shredded Cheese
Description: Perfectly cooked pasta is tossed in butter and topped with quickly sauteed Kroger large shrimp and a light sprinkle of Kraft shredded cheese for a simple, mild, and delicious dinner kids will enjoy. The buttery, lightly cheesy flavor keeps things familiar and approachable for younger eaters.
Sale items used: Kroger Large Shrimp 31-40 ct (Frozen, 12 oz), Kroger Pasta, Kraft Shredded Cheese
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use the full 12 oz bag of frozen shrimp (thaw under cold water for about 10 minutes), about 6 oz dry pasta, and a couple tablespoons of Kraft shredded cheese sprinkled on top. Butter is a pantry staple. This is a very quick Friday meal - pasta and shrimp both cook in under 10 minutes.
🛒 Shopping List
SHOPPING LIST
Buy on sale:
- Kroger Pasta, 12-16 oz (x3 boxes for Monday, Thursday, and Friday): $3.75
- Prego Pasta Sauce, 24 oz (x1 jar): $1.59
- Kraft Shredded Cheese, 7-8 oz (x1 bag): $2.50
- Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Sausage, 9.6-14 oz (x1 pack, with digital coupon): $2.99
- Kroger Sweet Corn 4 ct (x1 unit, part of 2 for $7.00 deal): $3.50
- Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes 1.5 lb (x1 unit, part of 2 for $7.00 deal): $3.50
- Kroger 93% Lean Ground Beef, 3 lb package (x1 package at $6.99/lb): $20.97
- Sargento Cheese Slices (x1 pack, part of 2 for $5.00 deal): $2.50
- Private Selection Buns, 8 ct (x1 pack): $3.49
- Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage, 16 oz (x1 pack): $4.99
- Kroger Large Shrimp 31-40 ct, Frozen 12 oz (x1 bag): $7.00
Pantry staples needed:
- Butter (for Friday pasta)
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder or minced garlic (optional, for sausage and shrimp)
- Olive oil or cooking oil (for skillet meals)
- 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
$56.78
for 2 people · $28.39 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.