Meijer Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs with Buttered Barilla Pasta
Description: Two juicy boneless skinless chicken thighs are seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder, then baked until golden and tender - a total crowd-pleaser for kids. Served alongside a small portion of buttered Barilla pasta, this is a comforting and familiar dinner that comes together easily on a weeknight.
Sale items used: Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, Barilla Pasta, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter or Imperial Spread
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: Use approximately 0.5 lb of chicken thighs (about 2 thighs) at $3.19/lb, totaling roughly $1.60 worth of chicken. Cook about 2 oz dry pasta for one child-sized serving. Toss pasta with a small pat of butter spread from the purchased tub.
Recipes:
- Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake
- Chicken Thighs Pasta Bake

Tuesday
Meal: Ground Turkey and Ragu Pasta Sauce over Barilla Spaghetti
Description: A simple and savory meat sauce made with Meijer Ground Turkey Roll and Ragu pasta sauce simmers together quickly for a kid-approved spaghetti night. Served over a single portion of Barilla spaghetti, this meal is easy to eat, mildly flavored, and totally satisfying.
Sale items used: Meijer Ground Turkey Roll, Ken's Salad Dressing or Ragu Pasta Sauces or Simply Vinaigrette (Ragu), Barilla Pasta
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use approximately 0.25 lb (about 4 oz) of ground turkey from the roll for one serving; the rest of the roll can be portioned and frozen. Cook about 2 oz dry spaghetti. Use roughly one-quarter of the Ragu jar for this single serving.
Recipes:
- Easy Turkey Ragù Recipe
- Easy Turkey Ragu Recipe

Wednesday
Meal: Meijer Baby Back BBQ Pork Ribs with Watermelon
Description: Rather than tackling a full rack, use the Meijer Baby Back BBQ Pork Ribs pack and portion out a kid-friendly serving of saucy, tender ribs that are oven-baked low and slow until fall-off-the-bone delicious. A few cool slices of fresh seedless watermelon on the side make this feel like a fun summer cookout dinner right at home.
Sale items used: Meijer Baby Back BBQ Pork Ribs, Locally Grown Large Seedless Watermelon
Prep time: 20 minutes active, about 2 hours total bake time - prep the ribs in the morning or early afternoon and let the oven do the work so dinner is ready without a rush.
Serving note: The Meijer Baby Back BBQ Pork Ribs come as a pre-sauced pack at $9.99 flat. For one person, plan to eat roughly one-third to one-half of the rack at this meal and refrigerate the rest for leftovers the next day. Cut 2 to 3 generous slices of watermelon from the whole melon.
Recipes:
- Baby Back Ribs with Watermelon Barbecue Sauce
- BBQ Baby Back Ribs with Watermelon Glaze
- Grilled Ribs with Watermelon BBQ Sauce

Thursday
Meal: Johnsonville Smoked Sausage and Kraft Singles Wraps in Flour Tortillas
Description: Sliced Johnsonville Smoked Sausage is quickly pan-warmed and wrapped in a soft flour tortilla with a melty Kraft Singles slice for a super simple, kid-friendly lunch or dinner that feels like a fun handheld meal. Kids love the mild smoky flavor and the gooey cheese, and the whole thing comes together in under 15 minutes.
Sale items used: Johnsonville Smoked Sausage Ropes or Breakfast Sausage, Kraft Singles, La Banderita Fajita or Burrito Flour Tortillas
Prep time: 12 minutes
Serving note: Slice and warm about 3 to 4 oz of sausage from the rope for one serving. Use 1 to 2 large flour tortillas and 1 to 2 Kraft Singles slices. The remaining sausage rope can be refrigerated and used later in the week.
Recipes:
- Grilled Sausage & Pepper Wraps
- Smoked Sausage Wrap

Friday
Meal: Oven-Roasted Boneless Pork Loin with Buttered Egg Noodles
Description: A small portion of Fresh from Meijer Whole Boneless Pork Loin is seasoned simply and roasted until juicy and tender, making a satisfying and mild main dish that kids enjoy without fuss. Served alongside soft buttered egg noodles, this is a cozy, home-style dinner that feels special but is very easy to pull off.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Whole Boneless Pork Loin, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter or Imperial Spread, Barilla Pasta
Prep time: 15 minutes active, about 45 to 55 minutes total roasting time - slice the pork loin into a single-serving portion before roasting to reduce cook time significantly.
Serving note: Cut approximately 0.5 lb from the whole pork loin for one serving at $1.99/lb, costing about $1.00. Wrap and freeze the remaining loin in individual portions for future meals. Use about 2 oz dry egg noodle-style pasta tossed with a small pat of butter spread.
Recipes:
- Best Damn Oven Roasted Pork Loin
- Slow Roasted Boneless Pork Loin with Mustard

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (0.5 lb): $1.60
- Barilla Pasta (x1 box): $1.49
- I Can't Believe It's Not Butter or Imperial Spread (x1 tub): $3.89
- Meijer Ground Turkey Roll (x1 roll): $2.99
- Ragu Pasta Sauce (x1 jar): $1.99
- Meijer Baby Back BBQ Pork Ribs (x1 pack): $9.99
- Locally Grown Large Seedless Watermelon (x1): $4.99
- Johnsonville Smoked Sausage Ropes (x1 rope): $2.99
- Kraft Singles (x1 pack): $2.89
- La Banderita Fajita or Burrito Flour Tortillas (x1 pack): $2.49
- Fresh from Meijer Whole Boneless Pork Loin (0.5 lb): $1.00

Pantry staples needed:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Cooking oil or nonstick spray