Kroger Kid-Friendly Meal Plan
Switch dietary option for this week:
BUDGET RATIONALE
Why these meals: Chicken breasts at $1.99/lb are the best deal on the flyer this week, so they anchor two nights and keep costs very low. Smoked sausage at $5.00 flat and Farm Rich Meatballs at $4.99 flat are both excellent value for a family of four, making them natural choices for two more economical weeknight dinners. The 80% Lean Ground Beef and Pork Blend at $8.00 for 2 lbs rounds out the economical nights with a familiar kid-friendly format. Strip steak at nearly $12/lb is the priciest protein on the flyer by a wide margin, so it is skipped entirely this week. St. Louis Style Pork Ribs at $2.99/lb are the best-value premium-leaning protein and earn the one elevated night, keeping the week balanced and the total within reach.
5-DAY MEAL PLAN
Monday
Meal: Skillet-Cooked Boneless Chicken Breasts with Buttered Sweet Corn
Description: Boneless chicken breasts are seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then pan-cooked in a skillet until golden and juicy. Sweet corn on the cob is boiled alongside and served with butter for a classic, crowd-pleasing summer plate kids love.
Sale items used: Heritage Farm Boneless Chicken Breasts, Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Heritage Farm Boneless Chicken Breasts (about 4 medium breasts) for 4 people. Use 1 pack of Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct), one ear per person.
Recipes:
- Garlic Butter Chicken with Zucchini and Corn
Tuesday
Meal: Eckrich Smoked Sausage and Tri-Color Pepper Skillet with Rice
Description: Sliced Eckrich Smoked Sausage is browned in a skillet with sliced tri-color peppers until everything is lightly caramelized and fragrant. Serve over fluffy white rice for a colorful, hearty one-pan dinner that kids find fun and satisfying.
Sale items used: Eckrich Smoked Sausage (Select Varieties, 23.3 oz), Kroger Tri-Color Peppers (6 ct)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package of Eckrich Smoked Sausage (23.3 oz), sliced into coins, for 4 people. Use the full 6-count pack of Kroger Tri-Color Peppers, slicing 4 to 5 peppers for the skillet and reserving the rest for snacking. Serve over pantry white rice.
Wednesday
Meal: Baked Farm Rich Meatballs with Rana Pasta and Tomato Sauce
Description: Farm Rich Meatballs are oven-baked until heated through and lightly browned, then tossed with cooked Rana Family Size Pasta and a simple jarred tomato sauce. This is a classic spaghetti-and-meatball style dinner that kids consistently love, with minimal effort on a weeknight.
Sale items used: Farm Rich Meatballs (20-26 oz), Rana Family Size Pasta (20 oz)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package of Farm Rich Meatballs (20-26 oz) and 1 package of Rana Family Size Pasta (20 oz) for 4 people. Toss with pantry marinara sauce and top with pantry grated Parmesan if available.
Recipes:
- Pasta with Baked Meatballs in Garlicky Tomato Sauce
- Baked Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Thursday
Meal: Oven-Baked St. Louis Style Pork Ribs with Broccoli
Description: St. Louis Style Pork Ribs are rubbed with brown sugar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then slow-baked in the oven wrapped in foil until tender and deeply flavorful. Steamed broccoli crowns round out the plate with a simple, kid-friendly green side.
Sale items used: St. Louis Style Pork Ribs, Broccoli Crowns
Prep time: 20 minutes active; about 2.5 to 3 hours total baking time - wrap and refrigerate the rubbed ribs the night before or start them by early afternoon so they are ready by dinnertime.
Serving note: Use approximately 4 lbs of St. Louis Style Pork Ribs for 4 people (a full rack or close to it). Use about 1.5 lbs of Broccoli Crowns, steamed or roasted alongside.
Recipes:
- St. Louis Style Ribs in the Oven
Friday
Meal: Cheesy Hamburger Helper Skillet with Ground Beef and Pork Blend
Description: The 80% Lean Ground Beef and Pork Blend is browned in a skillet, then combined with Hamburger Helper for a creamy, cheesy pasta dinner kids go wild for on a Friday night. It comes together in one pan in about 30 minutes, making it a stress-free end to the school week.
Sale items used: Private Selection Angus 90% Lean Ground Sirloin (80% Lean Ground Beef and Pork Blend, 2 lb), Hamburger Helper (4.8-7.6 oz)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package of the 80% Lean Ground Beef and Pork Blend (2 lb) and 2 boxes of Hamburger Helper (purchased as part of the 3 for $5.00 deal, using 2 of the 3) for 4 people with hearty portions. Follow package directions, adding pantry milk and butter as called for.
🛒 Shopping List
SHOPPING LIST
Buy on sale:
- Heritage Farm Boneless Chicken Breasts (2 lbs): $3.98
- Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct) (x1 pack): $4.99
- Eckrich Smoked Sausage (Select Varieties, 23.3 oz) (x1): $5.00
- Kroger Tri-Color Peppers (6 ct) (x1): $6.00
- Farm Rich Meatballs (20-26 oz) (x1): $4.99
- Rana Family Size Pasta (20 oz) (x1): $4.99
- St. Louis Style Pork Ribs (4 lbs): $11.96
- Broccoli Crowns (1.5 lbs): $2.99
- Private Selection Angus 90% Lean Ground Sirloin (80% Lean Ground Beef and Pork Blend, 2 lb) (x1): $8.00
- Hamburger Helper (4.8-7.6 oz) (x2, purchased as part of 3 for $5.00 deal - buy 3, use 2): $5.00
Pantry staples needed:
- White rice (for Tuesday's sausage skillet)
- Jarred marinara or tomato sauce (for Wednesday's meatball pasta)
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Brown sugar (for rib rub)
- Butter
- Milk (for Hamburger Helper)
- Cooking oil
🏷️ All sale items this week
SALE ITEMS FOUND
Meats on sale:
- Heritage Farm Boneless Chicken Breasts or Wings (Bone-In): $1.99/lb
- Boneless Strip Steaks (Family Pack, Limit 5): $11.99/lb
- Kroger or Private Selection Bacon (Select Varieties, 12-16 oz): $3.99 each
- St. Louis Style Pork Ribs: $2.99/lb
- Home Chef St. Louis Style Ribs (Fully Cooked, 2 lb, In the Deli): $14.99 each
- Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp (31-40 ct, Raw, 2 lb bag): $6.99/lb
- Extra Large Cooked Shrimp (26-30 ct, 2 lb bag): $8.99/lb
- Private Selection Angus 90% Lean Ground Sirloin (16 oz or 80% Lean Ground Beef and Pork Blend, 2 lb): $8.00 each
- Simple Truth Organic 90% Lean Ground Beef (3 lb): $25.00 each
- Perdue Harvestland Chicken Breasts (Frozen, 32-36 oz): $9.00 each
- Farm Rich Meatballs (20-26 oz): $4.99 each
- Private Selection Fresh Roasted Chicken (Fully Cooked, 2 lb): $7.99 each
- Eckrich Smoked Sausage (Select Varieties, 23.3 oz): $5.00 each
- Impossible Ground Beef (Family Size, 7.2-14 oz): $4.99 each
Deli and prepared on sale:
- Private Selection Salad Bowls (Select Varieties, 6.25-8.45 oz): $4.69 each
- Oscar Mayer Lunchables (Select Varieties, 2.27-4.4 oz): $1.79 each
- Home Chef St. Louis Style Ribs (Fully Cooked, 2 lb): $14.99 each
- Double Layer Cake (8" or Ice Cream Cake, 25.5-32.26 oz): $15.99 each
- Farm Rich Appetizers (12-22 oz) or Newman's Own Pizza (13.1-22.9 oz): $4.99 each
Produce on sale:
- Large Avocados: 2 for $3.00
- Kroger Tri-Color Peppers (6 ct) or Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes (3 lb): $6.00 each
- Kroger Adorbs Seedless Mandarins (5 lb bag): $4.99 each
- Strawberries (16 oz) or Raspberries (6 oz): $1.99 each
- 18 oz Blueberries: $5.99 each
- Broccoli Crowns: $1.99/lb
- Red, Green or Black Seedless Grapes: $2.49/lb
- Grainger County Tomatoes: $2.49/lb
- Private Selection Salad Bowls (Select Varieties, 6.25-8.45 oz): $4.69 each
- Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct): $4.99 each
Dairy and eggs on sale:
- Chobani Greek Yogurt (Select Varieties, 4.5-5.3 oz): 10 for $10.00
- Simple Truth Organic Milk (Select Varieties, Half Gallon): $3.69 each
- Fage Greek Yogurt (Select Varieties, 32 oz): $6.49 each
- Simple Truth Organic Cheese (Select Varieties, 6 oz): 2 for $7.00
- Chobani Creamer (24 fl oz) or Chobani Oatmilk (52 fl oz) or La Colombe Cold Brew Coffee (48 fl oz): $2.79 each
- Tropicana Orange Juice (Select Varieties, 46 fl oz): 2 for $7.00
Bakery and bread on sale:
- Pudding Cake (Select Varieties, 30 oz) or Private Selection Pumpkin Cake Roll (18 oz): $6.99 each
- Bakery Fresh Apple Pie (8"): $6.99 each
- Apple Fritter Donut Bites (14 oz) or Caramel Apple Mini Cupcakes (12 ct): $5.00 each
- Private Selection Apple Cider Bundt Cake (16 oz) or Caramel Apple Blondies (4 ct): $5.99 each
- Fresh Baked Cookies (Select Varieties, 12 ct): $3.00 each
- Bakery Fresh Muffins (4 ct) or Mini Cupcakes (12 ct): $5.00 each
- King's Hawaiian Dinner Rolls (Select Varieties, 12 ct): $5.00 each
- Dave's Killer Bread Organic Bread, Bagels or English Muffins (13.2-20.5 oz) or Go-Gurt Yogurt (16 ct): $3.99 each
- Kroger Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns (Select Varieties, 8 ct): $1.99 each
Pantry on sale:
- Smucker's Uncrustables (4 ct) or Cheez-It Crackers (12 ct): 3 for $10.00
- Hillshire Farm Lunch Meat (Select Varieties, 7-9 oz): $2.99 each
- General Mills Giant Size Cereal (Select Varieties, 20-29 oz): $3.99 each
- Kroger Peanut Butter (Select Varieties, 16 oz): $1.49 each
- Campbell's Chunky Soup (16.1-19 oz) or Ben's Original Ready Rice (8.47-8.8 oz): $1.49 each
- Red Baron Pizza (14.87-23.45 oz) or Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spread (7.5-8 oz): $2.99 each
- Kroger Coffee (Select Varieties, 20-32 oz): $9.99 each
- Starbucks Coffee (10-12 oz Bag or K-Cups, 10 ct): $9.99 each
- Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers (Select Varieties, 26.7-27.3 oz): $7.99 each
- El Monterey Taquitos or Quesadillas (5-20 ct) or Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese (3 ct) or Velveeta Shells & Cheese (3 ct): $5.99 each
- Rana Family Size Pasta (20 oz): $4.99 each
- Pure Leaf Tea (6-Pack, 16.9 fl oz) or Totino's Pizza Rolls (100 ct): $6.99 each
- Green Mountain, Donut Shop or McCafé K-Cups (Select Varieties, 32 ct): $18.99 each
- Smucker's Uncrustables (Select Varieties, 15 ct): $12.49 each
- Hamburger Helper (4.8-7.6 oz) or Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup (6 ct): 3 for $5.00
- Jell-O Pudding or Gelatin Cups (4 ct) or Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice (64 fl oz): 2 for $6.00
- Frito-Lay or Nabisco Multipack (Select Varieties, 10 ct): $5.99 each
- Mott's Family Pack Fruit Snacks (40 ct) or Nature Valley or Fiber One Bars (16-26.82 oz): $7.99 each
- Stouffer's Entrée (8-12.875 oz) or Lean Cuisine Entrée (5.25-19.5 oz): 4 for $10.00
- Hormel Beef Entree (Select Varieties, 15 oz): $8.99 each
- Nature Valley Bars (Select Varieties, 5 ct): $2.99 each
- Nature Valley Snacks (10.6-17.88 oz) or Skippy Peanut Butter (40 oz): $4.99 each
- Post Cereal (Select Varieties, 10-16.6 oz): $1.99 each
- General Mills Cereal (Select Varieties, 8.9-14 oz): $1.99 each
- Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn (6 ct) or Ken's Salad Dressing (24 fl oz): $2.99 each
- Pop-Tarts (Select Varieties, 12 ct): $2.29 each
- Jack Link's Beef Jerky (8 oz) or Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers Multipack (18-20 oz): $9.99 each
- Frank's Red-Hot Sauce (23 fl oz): $4.99 each
- Arizona Tea (Select Varieties, 128 fl oz) or Kroger Purified Drinking Water (24-Pack, 8 fl oz): 2 for $7.00
Frozen on sale:
- Kroger Ice Cream (Select Varieties, 128 fl oz): $5.99 each
- Kroger Ice Cream (Select Varieties, 48 fl oz): $2.79 each
- Halo Top Light Ice Cream (Select Varieties, 16 fl oz): $3.49 each
- Tillamook Ice Cream (48 fl oz) or Kroger Sundae Cones (8-10 ct): $5.49 each
- Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream (Select Varieties, 16 fl oz): $3.99 each
- Kroger Adorbs Seedless Mandarins (5 lb bag): $4.99 each
🛒 Estimated Shopping Cost
Based on sale prices for items in this plan
Some sale prices require the store's loyalty card or a clipped digital coupon. Check the flyer before you shop.
$57.90
for 4 people · $14.47 per person
📍 Disclaimer: Prices and availability are based on the Kroger weekly sales flyer for the week of August 19, 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.