Meijer Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks All natural: $0.99/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4 generously = ~$1.98 total, ~$0.50/person
- Eckrich 2 Pc. Sausage Ropes 10-14 oz., Smok-Y Links 8.3 oz., Sausage Links 13-14 oz. or Li'l Smokies 12-14 oz: $2.29 each - 1 pack (13 oz) feeds 4 as part of a skillet = ~$2.29 total, ~$0.57/person
- Meijer Breakfast Sausage Roll, Links or Patties 12-16 oz: $2.79 each - 1 pack feeds 4 in a pasta dish = ~$2.79 total, ~$0.70/person
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in: $1.99/lb - about 2.5 lbs feeds 4 = ~$4.98 total, ~$1.25/person
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Breasts All natural: $2.29/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$4.58 total, ~$1.15/person
- Fresh from Meijer 80% Lean Ground Beef 3 lb. pkg. or larger: $4.99/lb - 1.5 lbs feeds 4 in a burger build = ~$7.49 total, ~$1.87/person
- Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers 10 oz: $4.99 each - 2 packs (8 burgers) feeds 4 = ~$9.98 total, ~$2.50/person
- Certified Angus Beef Boneless Ribeye Steak: $13.99/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$27.98 total, ~$7.00/person

Why these meals: Chicken drumsticks at $0.99/lb are the best deal on the entire flyer this week and anchor Monday with a simple oven-bake that kids love. Eckrich sausage links at $2.29 a pack and Meijer breakfast sausage roll at $2.79 a pack give you two more very affordable weeknight proteins that come together fast in a skillet or pasta dish. Bone-in pork chops at $1.99/lb round out the economical four nights with a straightforward pan-sear that is easy and familiar for kids. The Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers at $4.99 per 10 oz pack are the most approachable premium option this week - two packs for $9.98 is far less damaging to the budget than the ribeye at nearly $28 for four people, so Friday gets a fun salmon burger night that still keeps the per-person total in a comfortable range. The ribeye was deliberately skipped because even on sale it would push the week well past the per-person ceiling on its own.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Sweet Corn and Russet Potato Wedges
Description: Chicken drumsticks are seasoned with pantry spices and baked in the oven until the skin is golden and the meat is cooked through, making them easy for kids to hold and eat. Sweet corn on the cob and oven-roasted potato wedges round out the plate with familiar, crowd-pleasing sides.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks All natural ($0.99/lb), Locally Grown Bulk Sweet Corn ($4/$1), Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag ($1 each when you buy 7 or more)
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes bake time
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken drumsticks (roughly 6-8 pieces) for 4 people; buy 4 ears of sweet corn for $1; use potatoes from the 5 lb bag (buy 7 qualifying items to unlock the $1 price). Total oven time is about 45 minutes - get the potato wedges in first for 10 minutes before adding the drumsticks so everything finishes together.
Recipes:
- Baked Chicken Drumsticks And Potatoes - K's Cuisine

Tuesday
Meal: Sausage Link and Bell Pepper Skillet over Creamette Pasta
Description: Eckrich sausage links are sliced and pan-cooked with colorful bell pepper strips and a simple tomato-based sauce, then spooned over boiled pasta for a hearty one-pan dinner kids enjoy. The mild sausage flavor and soft pasta make this an easy sell for picky eaters.
Sale items used: Eckrich 2 Pc. Sausage Ropes 10-14 oz., Smok-Y Links 8.3 oz., Sausage Links 13-14 oz. or Li'l Smokies 12-14 oz ($2.29 each), Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper ($1 each when you buy 7 or more), Creamette Pasta 12-16 oz. ($1 each when you buy 7 or more), Red Gold Tomatoes 14.5-15 oz. ($1 each when you buy 7 or more)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Buy 1 pack of Eckrich Sausage Links (13-14 oz) for 4 people; buy 2 bell peppers; buy 1 box of Creamette Pasta (12-16 oz) which feeds 4 generously; buy 1 can of Red Gold Tomatoes. All four of these items count toward the 7-item buy-in threshold - fill the rest of your 7 with pantry staples like Campbell's soup or Swanson Broth to unlock the $1 prices.
Recipes:
- EASY Sausage and Bell Pepper Pasta Dinner

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Bone-In Pork Loin Assorted Chops with Meijer Frozen Steamable Vegetables
Description: Bone-in pork loin chops are seasoned simply and seared in a skillet until golden on both sides and cooked through, producing a juicy, satisfying chop that kids recognize as a classic dinner. A bag of Meijer frozen steamable vegetables cooks in the microwave in minutes for an easy, no-fuss side.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in ($1.99/lb), Meijer Frozen Steamable Vegetables 12 oz. ($1 each when you buy 7 or more)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Buy 2.5 lbs of pork loin assorted chops (roughly 4 chops) for 4 people; buy 1 bag of Meijer Frozen Steamable Vegetables. The vegetable bag counts toward the 7-item buy-in - pair it with other $1 items you need this week to unlock the price.

Thursday
Meal: Breakfast Sausage Roll Pasta Bake with Kraft Shredded Cheese
Description: Crumbled Meijer breakfast sausage is browned in a skillet, mixed with cooked pasta and a can of Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup thinned with a little water to make a simple sauce, then topped with shredded cheese and baked until bubbly. This is a cozy, cheesy casserole-style dinner that kids find irresistible.
Sale items used: Meijer Breakfast Sausage Roll, Links or Patties 12-16 oz ($2.79 each), Creamette Pasta 12-16 oz. ($1 each when you buy 7 or more), Campbell's Condensed Cream of Chicken, Cream of Mushroom, Tomato or Chicken Noodle Soup 10.5-10.75 oz ($1 each when you buy 7 or more), Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheese 7-8 oz. ($2/$5)
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 20 minutes bake time
Serving note: Use 1 pack (12-16 oz) of Meijer Breakfast Sausage Roll; 1 box of Creamette Pasta (12-16 oz); 1 can of Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup; buy 2 bags of Kraft Shredded Cheese at $2/$5 (use one bag on this dish and save the second for the week). Total time is about 35 minutes - brown the sausage and boil the pasta while the oven preheats to keep things moving.
Recipes:
- Cheesy Sausage Pasta Bake | Tried and True Recipes

Friday
Meal: Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers on Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns with Seedless Mini Cucumbers
Description: Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers are cooked in a skillet or on a grill pan and served on soft stadium buns with a simple spread of Hellmann's Mayonnaise and a few cucumber slices, making a fun fish-burger night that feels like a treat. Sliced mini cucumbers on the side keep things fresh and crunchy, and kids enjoy building their own burgers.
Sale items used: Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers 10 oz ($4.99 each), Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns 6-8 ct./14-15 oz. or Bread 22 oz. ($2/$5), Seedless Mini Cucumbers 1 lb. bag ($1 each when you buy 7 or more), Hellmann's Mayonnaise 30 oz. or Squeeze Bottle 20 oz. ($3.99 each)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Buy 2 packs of Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers (10 oz each, 2 burgers per pack) for 8 burgers total - 2 per person; buy 2 packs of Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns at $2/$5 (you get 6-8 buns per pack, more than enough, and the second pack is useful for the week); buy 1 bag of Seedless Mini Cucumbers; buy 1 bottle of Hellmann's Mayonnaise. The cucumber bag counts toward the 7-item buy-in threshold.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks All natural (2 lbs): $1.98
- Locally Grown Bulk Sweet Corn (4 ears): $1.00
- Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag (x1, part of 7-item buy-in): $1.00
- Eckrich Sausage Links 13-14 oz. (x1 pack): $2.29
- Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper (x2, part of 7-item buy-in): $2.00
- Creamette Pasta 12-16 oz. (x2 boxes, part of 7-item buy-in - one for Tuesday, one for Thursday): $2.00
- Red Gold Tomatoes 14.5-15 oz. (x1 can, part of 7-item buy-in): $1.00
- Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup 10.5-10.75 oz. (x1 can, part of 7-item buy-in): $1.00
- Meijer Frozen Steamable Vegetables 12 oz. (x1 bag, part of 7-item buy-in): $1.00
- Swanson Broth 14.5 oz. (x1, used to complete 7-item buy-in threshold): $1.00
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in (2.5 lbs): $4.98
- Meijer Breakfast Sausage Roll, Links or Patties 12-16 oz. (x1 pack): $2.79
- Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheese 7-8 oz. (x2 bags at $2/$5): $5.00
- Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers 10 oz. (x2 packs): $9.98
- Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns 6-8 ct./14-15 oz. (x2 packs at $2/$5): $5.00
- Seedless Mini Cucumbers 1 lb. bag (x1, part of 7-item buy-in): $1.00
- Hellmann's Mayonnaise 30 oz. or Squeeze Bottle 20 oz. (x1): $3.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or vegetable oil (for searing pork chops and cooking sausage)
- Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder (for seasoning drumsticks and chops)
- Italian seasoning or dried oregano (for the sausage skillet)
- Butter (for finishing the pasta bake and potato wedges)