Kroger Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

This week's flyer is genuinely strong for budget-friendly kid meals. Chicken drumsticks and thighs at $0.99/lb are one of the best meat prices you will see all year, and Ball Park Meat Franks at $1.99 anchor a classic hot dog night that kids will love. Ground beef at $4.99/lb is a solid everyday price and works perfectly for Sloppy Joes using the $0.99 Manwich Sauce from the Mix & Match deal. Springer Mountain Chicken Tenders at $3.99/lb give you a fourth economical night with a meal kids always ask for. The Kroger 73% Lean Beef Patties at $10.00 for 2 lbs earned the one premium spot this week - at $2.50/person they are the most kid-friendly premium option on the flyer, and a backyard-style burger night on Friday is a perfect end-of-week treat. The Mix & Match 5-item deal on pantry staples is a standout this week - stacking Kraft Mac & Cheese, Manwich Sauce, Hunt's Pasta Sauce, Kraft BBQ Sauce, and Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables at $0.99 each keeps side costs very low across the whole week.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Perdue Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Sauce and Corn on the Cob
Description: Juicy chicken drumsticks are coated in Kraft BBQ Sauce and baked in the oven until golden and sticky, filling the kitchen with a smell kids will come running for. Kroger Sweet Corn rounds out the plate for a classic, mess-your-fingers kind of dinner that everyone loves.
Sale items used: Perdue Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs (or Wings), Kraft BBQ Sauce, Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct Tray)
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes total in oven
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Perdue Chicken Drumsticks (about 8 drumsticks, 2 per person). Use 1 bottle Kraft BBQ Sauce for coating and dipping. Use 1 tray of Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct) for one ear per person. Total oven time is 40-45 minutes at 400 degrees F; prep the corn while the chicken bakes.

Tuesday
Meal: Sloppy Joes with Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef on Ball Park Buns
Description: Seasoned ground beef is simmered in Manwich Sauce until thick and saucy, then spooned generously onto soft Ball Park Buns for the ultimate kid-approved messy sandwich night. Serve with Kraft Mac & Cheese on the side for a dinner that will get two thumbs up from every kid at the table.
Sale items used: Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef, Manwich Sauce, Ball Park Buns (8 ct), Kraft Mac & Cheese
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef. Use 1 can Manwich Sauce (15-16 oz) stirred into the browned beef. Use 1 pack Ball Park Buns (8 ct) - 2 buns per person. Prepare 1 box Kraft Mac & Cheese as a side according to package directions.
Recipes:
- Sloppy Joe Recipe

Wednesday
Meal: Stovetop Eckrich Smoked Sausage with Hunt's Pasta Sauce over Knorr Pasta Sides
Description: Sliced Eckrich Smoked Sausage is browned in a skillet and then simmered in Hunt's Pasta Sauce for a hearty, savory meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. Served over a Knorr pasta side, this is the kind of simple, filling dinner that kids clean their plates for without complaint.
Sale items used: Eckrich Smoked Sausage (12-14 oz), Hunt's Pasta Sauce (24 oz), Knorr Sides (4.5-7 oz)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 packs of Eckrich Smoked Sausage (12-14 oz each, with Digital Coupon) sliced into coins. Use 1 can Hunt's Pasta Sauce (24 oz) poured over the browned sausage. Prepare 2 boxes of Knorr Sides according to package directions and serve the sausage and sauce on top.

Thursday
Meal: Springer Mountain Chicken Tenders with Ranch Dipping Sauce and Baby Carrots
Description: Springer Mountain Chicken Tenders are seasoned and pan-cooked until golden on the outside and juicy inside, served with Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing for dipping - a combination kids never get tired of. Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots on the side add a satisfying crunch and make the plate feel complete without any extra effort.
Sale items used: Springer Mountain Boneless Chicken Breast or Tenders, Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (36 fl oz), Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots (1 lb)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Springer Mountain Boneless Chicken Breast or Tenders. Use 1 bottle Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (36 fl oz) for dipping - this large bottle will last well beyond the week. Use 1 bag Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots (1 lb) divided among 4 plates.
Recipes:
- Baked Chicken Tenders with Homemade Ranch Dip

Friday
Meal: Pan-Cooked Kroger 73% Lean Beef Patties on Ball Park Buns with Mustard and Ketchup
Description: Thick beef patties from the Kroger 73% Lean Beef Patties pack are cooked in a skillet until juicy and browned, then loaded onto soft Ball Park Buns with classic kid-friendly toppings for a Friday burger night the whole family will look forward to all week. Keep the toppings simple and let the kids build their own burgers for a fun, hands-on dinner experience.
Sale items used: Kroger 73% Lean Beef Patties (Frozen, 2 lb), Ball Park Buns (8 ct), Heinz Yellow Mustard
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pack Kroger 73% Lean Beef Patties (Frozen, 2 lb) - cook 4 to 8 patties depending on appetite (the 2 lb pack yields approximately 8 quarter-pound patties; plan on 1-2 per person). Use 1 pack Ball Park Buns (8 ct). Use 1 bottle Heinz Yellow Mustard alongside pantry ketchup for topping.
Recipes:
- The Perfect Homemade Beef Burger
- Best Hamburger Patty Recipe
- Homemade Beef Burger Recipe

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Perdue Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs (or Wings) (2 lbs): $1.98
- Kraft BBQ Sauce (x1): $0.99
- Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct Tray) (x1): $4.99
- Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef (1.5 lbs): $7.49
- Manwich Sauce (x1): $0.99
- Ball Park Buns (8 ct) (x2): $5.98
- Kraft Mac & Cheese (x1): $0.99
- Eckrich Smoked Sausage (12-14 oz) (x2, with Digital Coupon): $5.98
- Hunt's Pasta Sauce (24 oz) (x1): $0.99
- Knorr Sides (4.5-7 oz) (x2): $1.98
- Springer Mountain Boneless Chicken Breast or Tenders (1.5 lbs): $5.99
- Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (36 fl oz) (x1): $5.99
- Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots (1 lb) (x1): $1.39
- Kroger 73% Lean Beef Patties (Frozen, 2 lb) (x1): $10.00
- Heinz Yellow Mustard (x1): $0.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Cooking oil (for skillet and baking)
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Ketchup (for burger night)
- Butter (for corn and pasta sides)
- Milk (for mac and cheese)