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
- Caesar Kits: $2.50 for 9.8-10.75 oz

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Chicken Thighs with Roasted Baby Potatoes and Caesar Salad
Description: Juicy oven-baked chicken thighs seasoned with simple herbs are roasted alongside crispy baby potatoes for a comforting, hands-off dinner. A crisp Caesar salad kit rounds the plate out with minimal extra prep, making this a weeknight win for kids and adults alike.
Sale items used: Fresh Chicken Thighs ($1.49/lb), Baby Potatoes ($3.99 for 3-lb bag), Caesar Kits ($2.50)
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: 4 chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs total) and roughly 1 lb of baby potatoes for 2 people, with the full Caesar kit shared between both
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 peppers and Vidalia onion until golden and slightly caramelized, then served over tender egg noodles for a simple skillet dinner kids love. The mild smoky-sweet flavors are totally familiar and approachable, with easy one-pan cleanup.
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 0.75 lb of kielbasa, half a pound of green peppers, and one small onion, with 3 cups dry egg noodles cooked for 2 people
Recipes:
- Kielbasa With Peppers and Onions Over Noodles

Wednesday
Meal: Pork Tenderloin Strips with Pasta and Tomato Sauce
Description: Sliced pork tenderloin is quickly pan-seared and served over tri-color pasta tossed in a simple jarred tomato sauce, with a sprinkle of shredded Parmesan on top. The tender pork strips are mild, easy to eat, and pair perfectly with a kid-friendly pasta base.
Sale items used: Fresh Pork Tenderloin ($2.69/lb), Tri Color Pastene Pasta ($2.00 for 16 oz), Ragu Pasta Sauce ($3.00), Shredded Parmesan ($2.99 for 14-26 oz)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: About 0.75 lb of pork tenderloin sliced into strips, half a 16-oz box of pasta, and a generous ladle of sauce per person
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 with diced green peppers and sweet Vidalia onion, then piled into taco shells with shredded cheese for a fun and interactive dinner that kids absolutely love. The Old El Paso kit keeps seasoning simple and familiar, and kids can build their own tacos for extra fun.
Sale items used: Fresh Ground Beef ($4.99/lb), Old El Paso Dinner Kit ($2.99), Bagged Green Peppers ($1.29/lb), Vidalia Onions ($0.99/lb)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: About 0.75 lb of ground beef, one small green pepper, half a small onion, and 4 to 6 taco shells from the kit for 2 people

Friday
Meal: Breaded Shrimp Platter with McCain French Fries and Strawberry Dessert
Description: Oven-baked breaded shrimp served alongside crispy McCain french fries makes for a Friday night treat that feels like a restaurant meal at home, with dipping sauce on the side for fun. Fresh ripe strawberries served with a scoop of ice cream or on their own finish the week on a sweet, celebratory note.
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), Tillamook Family Size Ice Cream ($4.99)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: About half the breaded shrimp bag (roughly 19 oz) and the full 14-oz bag of fries split between 2 people, with a generous cup of strawberries each and a small scoop of ice cream
Recipes:
- Shrimp Fries Recipe
- Loaded Shrimp Fries

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh Chicken Thighs (1.5 lbs): $2.24
- Baby Potatoes (1 bag, 3 lbs): $3.99
- Caesar Kit (x1): $2.50
- Polish Kielbasa Smoked (0.75 lb): $2.62
- Bagged Green Peppers (1 lb, used across Tuesday and Thursday): $1.29
- Vidalia Onions (1 lb, used across Tuesday and Thursday): $0.99
- Fresh Pork Tenderloin (0.75 lb): $2.02
- Tri Color Pastene Pasta (x1 bag): $2.00
- Ragu Pasta Sauce (x1 jar): $3.00
- Shredded Parmesan (x1): $2.99
- Fresh Ground Beef (0.75 lb): $3.74
- 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 lbs): $4.99
- Tillamook Family Size Ice Cream (x1): $4.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or cooking spray (for roasting and searing)
- Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper
- Egg noodles (dry, from pantry or pick up a standard bag)
- Taco shells and cheese (included in Old El Paso kit, add shredded cheddar from pantry or grab a small bag)
- Butter (optional, for finishing pasta or potatoes)
- Ketchup or dipping sauce for the shrimp and fries