Market Basket Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

SALE ITEMS FOUND

Meats on sale:
- Fresh Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks: $1.49/lb
- Polish Kielbasa Smoked: $3.49/lb
- Fresh Pork Tenderloin: $2.69/lb
- Fresh Ground Beef: $4.99/lb
- Legacy Breaded Shrimp: $3.99 for 38 oz

Vegetables on sale:
- Baby Potatoes: $3.99 for 3-lb bag
- Bagged Green Peppers: $1.29/lb
- Vidalia Onions: $0.99/lb
- Fresh Calif. Strawberries: $4.99 for 2-lb pkg

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Chicken Thighs with Roasted Baby Potatoes and Caesar Salad
Description: Two juicy baked chicken thighs are seasoned and roasted alongside baby potatoes until golden and tender, making a cozy, filling plate kids love. A crisp Caesar kit rounds out the meal with familiar creamy dressing and crunchy croutons for a fun finishing touch.
Sale items used: Fresh Chicken Thighs ($1.49/lb), Baby Potatoes ($3.99 for 3-lb bag), Caesar Kit ($2.50 for 9.8-10.75 oz)
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: 2 chicken thighs (about 0.5 lb), 1 cup baby potatoes, half the Caesar kit (save the rest for another meal or snack)
Recipes:
- Sheet Pan Caesar Chicken and Potatoes

Tuesday
Meal: Smoked Kielbasa and Green Pepper Skillet with Egg Noodles
Description: Sliced smoked kielbasa is pan-seared with sweet green pepper strips and a bit of onion until lightly caramelized, creating a savory one-pan meal kids will happily eat. Served over a small portion of buttered egg noodles, this is a simple and satisfying weeknight skillet dinner.
Sale items used: Polish Kielbasa Smoked ($3.49/lb), Bagged Green Peppers ($1.29/lb), Vidalia Onions ($0.99/lb)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: About 4 oz kielbasa, half a green pepper, a quarter of a small onion, and 1 cup cooked egg noodles
Recipes:
- Kielbasa With Peppers and Onions Over Noodles

Wednesday
Meal: Pork Tenderloin Strips with Pasta and Tomato Sauce
Description: A small portion of pork tenderloin is sliced into kid-friendly strips, lightly seasoned, and pan-cooked until tender, then served alongside pasta tossed in a mild tomato sauce. This is a gentle, approachable protein swap that pairs perfectly with the familiar comfort of pasta night.
Sale items used: Fresh Pork Tenderloin ($2.69/lb), Tri Color Pastene Pasta ($2.00 for 16 oz), Ragu Pasta Sauce ($3.00 for 16-24 oz jar)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: About 0.5 lb pork tenderloin (sliced into strips), 2 oz dry pasta, and half a cup of pasta sauce
Recipes:
- Pork Tenderloin Pasta Recipe in a Creamy Tomato Sauce
- Pork Tenderloin and Pasta in Tomato and Red Bell Pepper Sauce Recipe

Thursday
Meal: Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Night with Green Peppers and Vidalia Onion
Description: Seasoned ground beef is cooked up with diced green pepper and sweet Vidalia onion, then loaded into taco shells with cheese for a fun and familiar build-your-own taco plate. Kids can customize their own taco, making this a playful, interactive dinner that feels like a treat.
Sale items used: Fresh Ground Beef ($4.99/lb), Bagged Green Peppers ($1.29/lb), Vidalia Onions ($0.99/lb), Old El Paso Dinner Kit ($2.99 for 5 oz)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: About 0.33 lb ground beef, a quarter of a green pepper diced, a small wedge of Vidalia onion diced, and 2 to 3 taco shells from the kit

Friday
Meal: Breaded Shrimp Platter with McCain French Fries and Strawberry Dessert
Description: Oven-baked breaded shrimp come out crispy and golden alongside a small portion of McCain french fries for a kid-favorite Friday night platter that feels like a restaurant treat at home. Fresh strawberries finish the meal with a naturally sweet dessert kids will love to snack on.
Sale items used: Legacy Breaded Shrimp ($3.99 for 38 oz), McCain French Fries ($2.99 for 14 oz), Fresh Calif. Strawberries ($4.99 for 2-lb pkg)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: About 8 to 10 breaded shrimp, a generous handful of fries, and 1 cup of fresh strawberries
Recipes:
- Shrimp Fries Recipe
- Loaded Shrimp Fries

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh Chicken Thighs (0.5 lb): $0.75
- Baby Potatoes (1 bag, 3 lb): $3.99
- Caesar Kit (x1): $2.50
- Polish Kielbasa Smoked (0.25 lb): $0.87
- Bagged Green Peppers (0.5 lb, used across Tuesday and Thursday): $0.65
- Vidalia Onions (0.25 lb, used across Tuesday and Thursday): $0.25
- Fresh Pork Tenderloin (0.5 lb): $1.35
- Tri Color Pastene Pasta (x1 bag): $2.00
- Ragu Pasta Sauce (x1 jar): $3.00
- Fresh Ground Beef (0.33 lb): $1.65
- Old El Paso Dinner Kit (x1): $2.99
- Legacy Breaded Shrimp (x1 bag, 38 oz): $3.99
- McCain French Fries (x1 bag): $2.99
- Fresh Calif. Strawberries (x1 pkg, 2 lb): $4.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Egg noodles
- Taco cheese (shredded)
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and basic seasonings
- Butter or cooking oil
- Ketchup or dipping sauce for shrimp and fries