Kroger Kid-Friendly Meal Plan
Switch dietary option for this week:
BUDGET RATIONALE
Why these meals: Chicken breasts at $1.99/lb are the standout deal of the week and anchor two nights at around $1.00 per person each - one as a skillet dinner and one baked with a simple coating kids love. Farm Rich Meatballs at $4.99 a bag give you a fun, crowd-pleasing pasta night for about $1.25 per person, and the 80% Lean Ground Beef and Pork Blend at $8.00 for 2 lbs makes a hearty Hamburger Helper skillet that kids go crazy for at just $2.00 per person. The St. Louis Style Pork Ribs at $2.99/lb are the one splurge night - they take longer in the oven, but the flyer price makes them the best value among the pricier proteins, and they are a genuine crowd-pleaser for the whole family. Strip steak at nearly $6.00 per serving was skipped entirely since it would push the week well over budget on its own.
5-DAY MEAL PLAN
Monday
Meal: Baked Parmesan-Crusted Heritage Farm Boneless Chicken Breasts with Broccoli
Description: Boneless chicken breasts are coated in a simple Parmesan and breadcrumb crust, then baked until golden and juicy - a dinner kids will happily eat every week. Steamed broccoli crowns round out the plate with a veggie that is easy to dip in ketchup or ranch.
Sale items used: Heritage Farm Boneless Chicken Breasts, Broccoli Crowns, Simple Truth Organic Cheese (Parmesan-style variety), Heinz Ketchup
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Heritage Farm Boneless Chicken Breasts (about one large breast per person), 1 lb of Broccoli Crowns, one 6 oz package of Simple Truth Organic Cheese (grated over the chicken), and one bottle of Heinz Ketchup for dipping.
Tuesday
Meal: Farm Rich Meatball and Pasta Skillet with Grainger County Tomatoes
Description: Farm Rich Meatballs are simmered in a quick tomato-based pan sauce made with fresh Grainger County Tomatoes, garlic, and Italian seasoning, then tossed with pasta for a hearty kid-friendly dinner. It comes together in one pan in under 30 minutes and is the kind of saucy, satisfying meal kids ask for again.
Sale items used: Farm Rich Meatballs, Grainger County Tomatoes
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use one 20-26 oz bag of Farm Rich Meatballs and about 1 lb of Grainger County Tomatoes (roughly 2 medium tomatoes). Serve over 12 oz of pasta from the pantry. The tomatoes add fresh flavor but the sauce is mild and sweet - perfect for kids.
Recipes:
- Easy Meatball Pasta Skillet Meal
Wednesday
Meal: Hamburger Helper Skillet with 80% Lean Ground Beef and Pork Blend and Sweet Corn
Description: The Private Selection 80% Lean Ground Beef and Pork Blend browns up rich and flavorful in a skillet, then gets stirred together with Hamburger Helper for a creamy, cheesy one-pan dinner kids love. A side of Kroger Sweet Corn keeps things colorful and fun on the plate.
Sale items used: Private Selection Angus 90% Lean Ground Sirloin (80% Lean Ground Beef and Pork Blend, 2 lb), Hamburger Helper, Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use one 2 lb package of the 80% Lean Ground Beef and Pork Blend and one box of Hamburger Helper (from the 3 for $5.00 deal - buy 3 boxes and use one tonight). Cook all 4 ears of Kroger Sweet Corn on the stovetop or microwave alongside.
Recipes:
- Homemade Hamburger Helper - WellPlated.com
Thursday
Meal: Oven-Baked Heritage Farm Bone-In Chicken Wings with Tri-Color Peppers
Description: Heritage Farm Bone-In Chicken Wings are seasoned simply with salt, garlic powder, and a little Heinz Ketchup glaze, then baked in the oven until crispy and golden - a total kid favorite. Sliced Kroger Tri-Color Peppers are roasted on the same pan for a sweet, colorful veggie side.
Sale items used: Heritage Farm Boneless Chicken Breasts or Wings (Bone-In) - Wings selected, Kroger Tri-Color Peppers (6 ct), Heinz Ketchup
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Use 2.5 lbs of Heritage Farm Bone-In Chicken Wings (about 6-8 wings per person depending on size). Use half of the 6 ct Kroger Tri-Color Peppers package (3 peppers), sliced into strips and spread around the wings on the baking sheet. The Heinz Ketchup purchased Monday doubles as the glaze base here.
Recipes:
- Baked Chicken Wings - Jehan Can Cook
- Crispy Baked Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings - Jo Cooks
Friday
Meal: Oven-Roasted St. Louis Style Pork Ribs with Kroger Sweet Corn
Description: St. Louis Style Pork Ribs are rubbed with brown sugar, garlic powder, and paprika, then slow-roasted in the oven low and slow until tender and caramelized - a fun, hands-on Friday dinner the whole family will dig into. Serve with the remaining Kroger Sweet Corn for a classic backyard-style plate right from your kitchen.
Sale items used: St. Louis Style Pork Ribs, Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct), Heinz Ketchup
Prep time: 20 minutes active prep, 2.5 to 3 hours total oven time
Serving note: Use 4 lbs of St. Louis Style Pork Ribs (bone-in weight; plan for about 1 lb per person given bone weight). Make-ahead note: start the ribs by early afternoon - season and wrap in foil, then roast at 275 degrees F for 2.5 hours, uncover and brush with Heinz Ketchup for the last 20 minutes. Cook the remaining 4 ears of Kroger Sweet Corn while the ribs rest.
🛒 Shopping List
SHOPPING LIST
Buy on sale:
- Heritage Farm Boneless Chicken Breasts (2 lbs - Monday): $3.98
- Heritage Farm Bone-In Chicken Wings (2.5 lbs - Thursday): $4.98
- Farm Rich Meatballs (1 bag, 20-26 oz - Tuesday): $4.99
- Private Selection Angus 90% Lean Ground Sirloin (80% Lean Ground Beef and Pork Blend, 2 lb - Wednesday): $8.00
- Hamburger Helper (3 boxes at 3 for $5.00 - Wednesday): $5.00
- St. Louis Style Pork Ribs (4 lbs - Friday): $11.96
- Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct - Wednesday and Friday): $4.99
- Kroger Tri-Color Peppers (6 ct - Thursday): $6.00
- Broccoli Crowns (1 lb - Monday): $1.99
- Grainger County Tomatoes (1 lb - Tuesday): $2.49
- Simple Truth Organic Cheese (Select Varieties, 6 oz - x2 packages for 2 for $7.00 deal): $7.00
- Heinz Ketchup (30 fl oz - Monday, Thursday, Friday): $3.49
Pantry staples needed:
- Pasta (12 oz, any short shape like penne or rotini)
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- Garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Brown sugar
- Paprika
- Breadcrumbs (for Monday chicken crust)
🏷️ 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
- Hormel Beef Entree (Select Varieties, 15 oz): $8.99 each
- Private Selection Fresh Roasted Chicken (Fully Cooked, 2 lb): $7.99 each
- Oscar Mayer Lunchables (Select Varieties, 2.27-4.4 oz): $1.79 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
- Home Chef St. Louis Style Ribs (Fully Cooked, 2 lb): $14.99 each
- Private Selection Fresh Roasted Chicken (Fully Cooked, 2 lb): $7.99 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
- Strawberries (16 oz) or Raspberries (6 oz): $1.99 each (with digital coupon)
- Kroger Adorbs Seedless Mandarins (5 lb bag): $4.99 each (with digital coupon)
- 18 oz Blueberries: $5.99 each
- Broccoli Crowns: $1.99/lb
- Grainger County Tomatoes: $2.49/lb
- Red, Green or Black Seedless Grapes: $2.49/lb
- 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
- Tropicana Orange Juice (Select Varieties, 46 fl 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 (with digital coupon)
- Fage Greek Yogurt (Select Varieties, 32 oz): $6.49 each
- Simple Truth Organic Cheese (Select Varieties, 6 oz): 2 for $7.00
- Yoplait Yogurt (8 ct) or Trolli Gummi Pops (10 ct): $3.49 each
Bakery and bread on sale:
- Bakery Fresh Apple Pie (8") or Private Selection Spiced Apple Pie Cookies (5 ct): $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
- Pudding Cake (Select Varieties, 30 oz) or Private Selection Pumpkin Cake Roll (18 oz): $6.99 each (with digital coupon)
- Double Layer Cake (8" or Ice Cream Cake, 25.5-32.26 oz, In the Bakery): $15.99 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
- Campbell's Chunky Soup (16.1-19 oz) or Ben's Original Ready Rice (8.47-8.8 oz): $1.49 each (with digital coupon)
- Kroger Coffee (Select Varieties, 20-32 oz): $9.99 each (with digital coupon)
- Kroger Peanut Butter (Select Varieties, 16 oz): $1.49 each (with digital coupon)
- 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
- Arizona Tea (Select Varieties, 128 fl oz) or Kroger Purified Drinking Water (24-Pack, 8 fl oz): 2 for $7.00
- Mott's Family Pack Fruit Snacks (40 ct) or Nature Valley or Fiber One Bars (16-26.82 oz): $7.99 each
- Simple Truth Organic Broth (Select Varieties, 32 oz): $1.99 each
- Hillshire Farm Lunch Meat (Select Varieties, 7-9 oz): $2.99 each (with digital coupon)
- General Mills Giant Size Cereal (Select Varieties, 20-29 oz): $3.99 each (with digital coupon)
- 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
- Pure Leaf Tea (6-Pack, 16.9 fl oz) or Totino's Pizza Rolls (100 ct): $6.99 each
- Smucker's Uncrustables (Select Varieties, 15 ct): $12.49 each
- General Mills Cereal (Select Varieties, 8.9-14 oz): $1.99 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
- Jack Link's Beef Jerky (8 oz) or Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers Multipack (18-20 oz): $9.99 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
- Miracle Whip (Select Varieties, 30 fl oz): $3.99 each
- Post Cereal (Select Varieties, 10-16.6 oz): $1.99 each
- Duke's Mayonnaise (30 fl oz) or Heinz Ketchup (32 oz): $3.49 each
- Frito-Lay Multipack (Select Varieties, 18 ct): $7.99 each (with digital coupon)
- Frank's Red-Hot Sauce (23 fl oz): $4.99 each
- Kroger Ice Cream (Select Varieties, 128 fl oz): $5.99 each (with digital coupon)
Frozen on sale:
- Stouffer's Entrée (8-12.875 oz) or Lean Cuisine Entrée (5.25-19.5 oz): 4 for $10.00
- Red Baron Pizza (14.87-23.45 oz) or Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spread (7.5-8 oz): $2.99 each (with digital coupon)
- Kroger Ice Cream (Select Varieties, 48 fl oz): $2.79 each
- Halo Top Light Ice Cream (Select Varieties, 16 fl oz): $3.49 each (with digital coupon)
- Farm Rich Appetizers (12-22 oz) or Newman's Own Pizza (13.1-22.9 oz): $4.99 each
- Totino's Pizza Rolls (100 ct) or Pure Leaf Tea (6-Pack, 16.9 fl oz): $6.99 each
- Perdue Harvestland Chicken Breasts (Frozen, 32-36 oz): $9.00 each
- Kroger Freezer Pops (36 ct) or Kroger Celebration Plates (48 ct): $2.99 each
🛒 Estimated Shopping Cost
Based on sale prices for items in this plan
$64.87
for 4 people · $16.22 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.