Market Basket Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

SALE ITEMS FOUND

Meats on sale:
- Shoulder Steak London Broil: $3.99/lb
- Fresh Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks: $1.49/lb
- Fresh Pork Tenderloin: $2.69/lb
- Beef Roast: $9.99/lb
- Genoa Salami: $9.99/lb
- Farm Raised Salmon Steaks: $9.99/lb
- Ocean Fresh Wild Sockeye Salmon Fillets: $9.99/lb
- Fresh Ground Beef: $4.99/lb
- Fresh Meatloaf Mix: $4.99/lb
- Fresh Whole Chickens: $1.59/lb
- Fresh Organic Chicken Tenders: $8.99/lb
- Chicken Breast Cutlets: $4.49/lb
- Breaded Fresh Thin Sliced Chicken Air Fry: $7.99 for 12 oz
- Polish Kielbasa Sliced: $4.99/lb
- Sliced Bacon: $6.39 for 6 oz
- Polish Kielbasa Smoked: $3.49/lb
- Baby Back Ribs: $7.99 for 20.8-21 oz
- Hardwood Smoked Ham Grillsteak: $3.49 for 10 oz
- Ham Steak Anytime: $2.50 for 8 oz
- Boneless Honey Roasted Ham: $11.49 for 44 oz
- Gaspar's Linguica or Chourico: $6.49 for 16 oz
- Andouille Sausage: $3.99 for 12 oz
- Boneless Simple Carve Ham: $3.99/lb
- Fully Cooked Bacon: $3.99 for 2.52 oz
- Hardwood Smoked Premium Bacon: $5.99 for 16 oz
- Sliced Pepperoni: $2.99 for 7 oz
- Beef Burgers: $13.99 for 2-lb box
- Turkey Burgers: $8.99 for 2-lb box
- Hometown Sausage: $4.49 for 19.5-20 oz
- Ground Turkey: $4.49/lb
- Fresh Beef Patties: $10.99 for 1 lb
- Chicken Breast: $5.99/lb
- German Vienna Bologna: $3.29/lb
- Uncured Hams: $3.99 each
- Muenster Cheese: $4.99/lb
- Pepper Jack or Colby Jack: $4.99/lb
- Santa Fe Turkey Breast: $6.99/lb
- The Flying Meatball: $6.99 for 16 oz
- Giant Beef & Pork: $8.99 for 22 oz
- Ocean Fresh Wild Sea Scallops: $23.99/lb
- Tail off Shrimp Peeled & Deveined 16/20 Ct.: $19.89 for 2-lb bag
- E-Z Peel Shrimp 16/20 Ct.: $15.89 for 2-lb bag
- Cooked Shrimp 16/20 Ct.: $21.89 for 2-lb bag
- Smoked Salmon: $7.99 for 4 oz
- Ocean Fresh Wild Red Perch Fillets: $6.99/lb
- Legacy Breaded Shrimp: $3.99 for 38 oz
- True Tides Haddock Fillets: $15.99 for 16 oz
- Ocean Fresh Wild Mussels: $4.99/lb
- Frozen Salmon Fillets: $8.99 for 2-lb bag
- Snow Crab Legs & Claws: $28.99 for 1.5 lb bag
- Red Shrimp: $5.99/lb

Vegetables on sale:
- Baby Potatoes: $3.99 for 3-lb bag
- Fresh Calif. Strawberries: $4.99 for 2-lb pkg
- Vidalia Onions: $0.99/lb
- Bagged Green Peppers: $1.29/lb
- Organic Veggie Broccoli Slaw: $2.50 for 10 oz
- Pineapple Spears or Watermelon: $3.99 for 16 oz
- Caesar Kits: $2.50 for 9.8-10.75 oz
- Mini Marzano Tomatoes: $4.99 for 24 oz
- Northeast Salads: $2.29 for 5 oz
- Grillabella Caps: $4.49 for 16 oz

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Fresh Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks: $1.49/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = ~$3.00 total (~$0.75/person)
- Fresh Whole Chickens: $1.59/lb - about 4-5 lbs for 4 people = ~$7.00 total (~$1.75/person)
- Polish Kielbasa Smoked: $3.49/lb - about 1 lb for 4 people = ~$3.49 total (~$0.87/person)
- Hardwood Smoked Ham Grillsteak: $3.49 for 10 oz - need 2 packs for 4 people = ~$6.98 total (~$1.75/person)
- Ham Steak Anytime: $2.50 for 8 oz - need 2-3 packs for 4 people = ~$5.00-$7.50 total (~$1.25-$1.88/person)
- Fresh Pork Tenderloin: $2.69/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$4.04 total (~$1.01/person)
- Shoulder Steak London Broil: $3.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = ~$7.98 total (~$2.00/person)
- Andouille Sausage: $3.99 for 12 oz - need 2 packs for 4 people = ~$7.98 total (~$2.00/person)
- Hometown Sausage: $4.49 for 19.5-20 oz - 1 pack feeds 4 = ~$4.49 total (~$1.12/person)
- Boneless Simple Carve Ham: $3.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$5.99 total (~$1.50/person)
- German Vienna Bologna: $3.29/lb - about 1 lb for 4 people = ~$3.29 total (~$0.82/person)
- Fresh Ground Beef: $4.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$7.49 total (~$1.87/person)
- Fresh Meatloaf Mix: $4.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$7.49 total (~$1.87/person)
- Ground Turkey: $4.49/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$6.74 total (~$1.69/person)
- Polish Kielbasa Sliced: $4.99/lb - about 1 lb for 4 people = ~$4.99 total (~$1.25/person)
- Chicken Breast Cutlets: $4.49/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$6.74 total (~$1.69/person)
- Chicken Breast: $5.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$8.99 total (~$2.25/person)
- Sliced Pepperoni: $2.99 for 7 oz - topping use, not a standalone protein
- Turkey Burgers: $8.99 for 2-lb box - about 1 box for 4 people = ~$8.99 total (~$2.25/person)
- Beef Burgers: $13.99 for 2-lb box - about 1 box for 4 people = ~$13.99 total (~$3.50/person)
- Beef Roast: $9.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = ~$19.98 total (~$5.00/person)
- Red Perch Fillets: $6.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$10.49 total (~$2.62/person)
- Legacy Breaded Shrimp: $3.99 for 38 oz - 1 bag feeds 4 generously = ~$3.99 total (~$1.00/person)
- Ocean Fresh Wild Mussels: $4.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = ~$9.98 total (~$2.50/person)
- Frozen Salmon Fillets: $8.99 for 2-lb bag - 1 bag feeds 4 = ~$8.99 total (~$2.25/person)
- Farm Raised Salmon Steaks: $9.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = ~$19.98 total (~$5.00/person)
- Ocean Fresh Wild Sockeye Salmon Fillets: $9.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = ~$19.98 total (~$5.00/person)
- E-Z Peel Shrimp 16/20 Ct.: $15.89 for 2-lb bag - 1 bag feeds 4 = ~$15.89 total (~$3.97/person)
- Tail off Shrimp Peeled & Deveined: $19.89 for 2-lb bag - ~$4.97/person
- True Tides Haddock Fillets: $15.99 for 16 oz - about 2 packs for 4 people = ~$31.98 total (~$8.00/person)
- Cooked Shrimp 16/20 Ct.: $21.89 for 2-lb bag - ~$5.47/person
- Baby Back Ribs: $7.99 for 20.8 oz - about 2-3 packs for 4 people = ~$16-$24 total (~$4.00-$6.00/person)
- Genoa Salami: $9.99/lb - premium deli, not a dinner protein
- Giant Beef & Pork Meatballs: $8.99 for 22 oz - 1 pack for 4 = ~$8.99 total (~$2.25/person)
- Ocean Fresh Wild Sea Scallops: $23.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$35.99 total (~$9.00/person)
- Snow Crab Legs & Claws: $28.99 for 1.5 lb bag - 2 bags for 4 people = ~$57.98 total (~$14.50/person)

Why these meals: Chicken thighs at $1.49 a pound and smoked kielbasa at $3.49 a pound are the two real steals on this flyer, and they anchor two of your weeknight dinners for well under $4 total in protein. Pork tenderloin at $2.69 a pound is another standout value that keeps a third night very affordable, and ground beef at $4.99 a pound rounds out a fourth night with a classic kid-pleasing pasta. For the one seafood night, the Legacy Breaded Shrimp at $3.99 for a generous 38-ounce bag is genuinely the best deal in the entire seafood section by a wide margin, feeding four for less than almost any meat on the flyer and far less than the fresh shrimp, salmon, or scallops that also appear this week. Salmon and fresh shrimp are both hovering around $5 or more per person before you even cook them, so skipping those for a weeknight dinner just makes sense when a fun kid-friendly breaded shrimp dinner costs a fraction of the price. The Caesar kit, baby potatoes, green peppers, and onions on sale this week fill out the plates without adding much to the total.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Chicken Thighs with Roasted Baby Potatoes and Caesar Salad
Description: Juicy oven-baked chicken thighs seasoned simply with garlic, salt, and pepper, served alongside crispy roasted baby potatoes. A bagged Caesar kit makes the side salad totally hands-off and adds a fun crunch kids love.
Sale items used: Fresh Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks, Baby Potatoes, Caesar Kits
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 40 minutes total
Serving note: 2 lbs chicken thighs (about 2 thighs per person), 1 bag (3 lbs) baby potatoes halved and roasted, 1 Caesar kit (serves 4 as a side)
Recipes:
- Sheet Pan Caesar Chicken and Potatoes

Tuesday
Meal: Smoked Kielbasa and Green Pepper Skillet with Egg Noodles
Description: Sliced smoked kielbasa browned in a skillet with sweet Vidalia onions and green peppers, tossed with egg noodles for a one-pan dinner kids always go back for seconds on. It is colorful, slightly smoky, and has a fun mix of textures that makes it a real crowd-pleaser.
Sale items used: Polish Kielbasa Smoked, Bagged Green Peppers, Vidalia Onions
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1 lb smoked kielbasa sliced into coins, 1 lb green peppers sliced, 0.5 lb Vidalia onions sliced, 12 oz egg noodles (pantry) for 4 servings
Recipes:
- Kielbasa With Peppers and Onions Over Noodles

Wednesday
Meal: Pork Tenderloin Strips with Pasta and Tomato Sauce
Description: Tender sliced pork cooked quickly in olive oil and tossed with pasta and Ragu sauce, making a dinner that feels like a familiar Italian night the whole family can enjoy. Kids will love twirling the pasta and the mild savory flavor of the pork.
Sale items used: Fresh Pork Tenderloin, Tri Color Pastene Pasta, Ragu Pasta Sauce, Shredded Parmesan
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin sliced into strips, 2 packages (32 oz total) tri color pasta, 1 jar (24 oz) Ragu sauce, 1 package shredded parmesan for topping
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 cooked with onion and green pepper, served in taco shells or on the table as a build-your-own spread with the Old El Paso kit. This is the kind of interactive dinner kids get genuinely excited about, and cleanup is easy.
Sale items used: Fresh Ground Beef, Old El Paso Dinner Kit, Bagged Green Peppers, Vidalia Onions, Pepper Jack or Colby Jack
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs ground beef, 1 Old El Paso dinner kit (shells and seasoning included), 0.5 lb green peppers diced, 0.5 lb Vidalia onion diced, 0.5 lb Pepper Jack or Colby Jack shredded for topping

Friday
Meal: Breaded Shrimp Platter with McCain French Fries and Strawberry Dessert
Description: A crispy oven-baked breaded shrimp dinner straight from the bag, served alongside golden french fries for a Friday night that feels like a restaurant treat without the price tag. Finish with fresh California strawberries for a simple, naturally sweet dessert kids love.
Sale items used: Legacy Breaded Shrimp, McCain French Fries