Meijer Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The star of this week is the Whole Boneless Pork Loin at just $1.99/lb - that is one of the best meat prices you will find anywhere and it anchors a simple oven-roasted dinner that kids love. The Meijer Ground Turkey Roll at $2.99 flat is another incredible deal and makes a hearty pasta night with Barilla pasta and Ragu sauce for well under $10 total. Johnsonville Smoked Sausage Ropes at $2.99 flat bring a fun, kid-friendly sausage and tortilla wrap night that comes together in minutes. Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs at $3.19/lb give you juicy, flavorful chicken that is hard to dry out, making them perfect for a simple baked dinner. The Meijer Baby Back BBQ Pork Ribs at $9.99 earn the one premium night - at a flat $9.99 for the whole package they are actually the most approachable premium option on this flyer, far cheaper per serving than the T-Bone Steak at $12.99/lb, and kids absolutely love sticky BBQ ribs. The T-Bone Steak was deliberately skipped because at $12.99/lb for four people it would push the weekly total well past the $20/person target on its own. The Frederik's Shrimp Ring was also passed over since the pork ribs deliver better value and more kid-friendly appeal for the same flat price.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs with Buttered Barilla Pasta
Description: Juicy boneless skinless chicken thighs are seasoned simply and baked in the oven until golden, then served alongside tender Barilla pasta tossed with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. This is a classic, comforting combo that kids aged 5 to 12 will happily clean their plates for.
Sale items used: Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, Barilla Pasta, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter or Imperial Spread or Brummel & Brown Spread
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (about 2 thighs per person) and 1 box of Barilla Pasta. Bake chicken at 400 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes while pasta cooks on the stovetop.
Recipes:
- Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake
- Chicken Thighs Pasta Bake

Tuesday
Meal: Ground Turkey and Ragu Pasta Sauce over Barilla Spaghetti
Description: Seasoned ground turkey is browned in a skillet and simmered with Ragu pasta sauce, then ladled over Barilla pasta for a hearty, familiar meat sauce dinner. Kids love twirling spaghetti and the mild, savory tomato flavor makes this a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Sale items used: Meijer Ground Turkey Roll, Barilla Pasta, Ken's Salad Dressing or Ragu Pasta Sauces or Simply Vinaigrette (Ragu Pasta Sauce), Meijer Shredded or Chunk Cheese
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use the full Meijer Ground Turkey Roll (1 package), 1 box of Barilla Pasta, 1 jar of Ragu Pasta Sauce, and top with Meijer Shredded Cheese. One package of ground turkey roll and one jar of sauce comfortably feeds 4.
Recipes:
- Easy Turkey Ragù Recipe
- Easy Turkey Ragu Recipe

Wednesday
Meal: Meijer Baby Back BBQ Pork Ribs with Watermelon
Description: The Meijer Baby Back BBQ Pork Ribs come pre-sauced and oven-ready, so you simply bake them low and slow until the meat is tender and the sauce is sticky and caramelized. Serve alongside sliced Locally Grown Large Seedless Watermelon for a fun, summery dinner kids will love.
Sale items used: Meijer Baby Back BBQ Pork Ribs, Locally Grown Large Seedless Watermelon
Prep time: 15 minutes active, about 90 minutes total oven time
Serving note: Use 1 package of Meijer Baby Back BBQ Pork Ribs and 1 whole watermelon. Make-ahead note: start the ribs in the oven at 300 degrees F about 90 minutes before dinner; cover with foil for the first hour, then uncover for the last 30 minutes to set the sauce. Slice watermelon while ribs rest.
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 Rope is pan-seared until lightly browned, then wrapped in warm La Banderita Flour Tortillas with a slice of melty Kraft Singles cheese and a squeeze of Heinz Ketchup. These handheld wraps are easy for little hands, quick to make, and taste like a fun twist on a hot dog night.
Sale items used: Johnsonville Smoked Sausage Ropes or Breakfast Sausage, La Banderita Fajita or Burrito Flour Tortillas, Kraft Singles, Heinz Ketchup Easy Squeeze
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package of Johnsonville Smoked Sausage Rope (slice into coins or halve lengthwise), 1 package of La Banderita Flour Tortillas, and 4 to 6 Kraft Singles slices. Allow 2 wraps per person. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side.
Recipes:
- Grilled Sausage & Pepper Wraps
- Smoked Sausage Wrap

Friday
Meal: Oven-Roasted Boneless Pork Loin with Buttered Egg Noodles
Description: A simple boneless pork loin is seasoned with pantry spices and roasted in the oven until juicy and sliceable, then served over egg noodles tossed with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. This is a satisfying, mild Friday dinner that feels a little special without any fuss, and kids love the tender sliced pork.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Whole Boneless Pork Loin, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter or Imperial Spread or Brummel & Brown Spread
Prep time: 15 minutes active, about 55 to 65 minutes total oven time
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Fresh from Meijer Whole Boneless Pork Loin (ask the butcher to cut a 2 lb portion). Roast at 375 degrees F for approximately 50 to 60 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing. Serve over egg noodles from pantry, tossed with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. Timing note: put the pork in the oven about 65 minutes before you want to eat.
Recipes:
- Best Damn Oven Roasted Pork Loin
- Slow Roasted Boneless Pork Loin with Mustard

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (2 lbs): $6.38
- Barilla Pasta (x2 boxes): $2.98
- I Can't Believe It's Not Butter or Imperial Spread or Brummel & Brown Spread (x1): $3.89
- Meijer Ground Turkey Roll (x1): $2.99
- Ken's Salad Dressing or Ragu Pasta Sauces or Simply Vinaigrette - Ragu Pasta Sauce (x1): $1.99
- Meijer Shredded or Chunk Cheese (x1): $6.49
- Meijer Baby Back BBQ Pork Ribs (x1): $9.99
- Locally Grown Large Seedless Watermelon (x1): $4.99
- Johnsonville Smoked Sausage Ropes or Breakfast Sausage (x1): $2.99
- La Banderita Fajita or Burrito Flour Tortillas (x1): $2.49
- Kraft Singles (x1): $2.89
- Heinz Ketchup Easy Squeeze (x1): $3.99
- Fresh from Meijer Whole Boneless Pork Loin (2 lbs): $3.98

Pantry staples needed:
- Egg noodles
- Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika (for seasoning chicken and pork)
- Olive oil or cooking spray (for baking chicken and searing sausage)
- Water for boiling pasta