Publix Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

SALE ITEMS FOUND

Meats on sale:
- Publix Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast: $4.50/lb
- Publix USDA Choice Beef: $11.49/lb
- Publix Marinated Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (Chimichuri): $7.99 each
- Publix Snapper Fillets: $12.99/lb
- Smithfield Anytime Favorites Ham Steak: $5.99 for 8.2 oz pkg
- Publix Lean Pork Loin Boneless Chops: $6.49/lb
- Publix White Shrimp: $7.99 for 24-oz pkg
- Perdue Thin Sliced Chicken: $4.99/lb
- Publix Whole Pork Picnic: $3.99/lb
- Publix Mussels: $11.99 for 16-oz pkg
- GreenWise Sockeye Salmon Fillets: $10.99/lb
- GreenWise Lamb Loin Chops: $10.99/lb
- Publix Ground Round: $8.99/lb
- DiLuigi Diner Style Smashables: $9.99 for 18-oz tray
- Ball Franks: $2 for $9.99
- Smithfield Bacon: $2 for $9.99
- Perdue Ground Chicken: $2 for $8.99
- Publix Boneless Pork Loin Florentine: $7.99 each
- GreenWise Angus Top Sirloin Steak: $9.99/lb
- GreenWise Ground Chuck: $9.99/lb
- Perdue Short Cuts Chicken Strips: $5.99 for 12-oz pkg
- Publix Brisket, Chuck, & Sirloin Beef Craft Burgers: $2 for $24.99
- Publix 73% Lean Ground Beef Roll: $1.69/lb
- Tyson Chicken Bites: $3.99 for 22-oz pkg
- Butterball Turkey Burgers: $7.99 for 24-oz pkg
- Armour Meatballs: $4.99 for 11-25 oz pkg
- Perdue Air Fryer Ready Wings: $8.99 for 22-oz pkg

Vegetables on sale:
- Green Avocados: $2 for $4.99
- Publix Idaho Russet Potatoes: $3.99 for 5-lb bag
- Bulk Sweet Corn: $5 for $3.00
- Publix Broccoli: $2.99 each
- Publix Yellow Onions: $3.49 for 3-lb bag
- Celery: $2 for $5.99
- Publix Green Beans: $2 for $5.99
- Red, Yellow, or Orange Bell Peppers: $2.99/lb
- Beefsteak Tomatoes: $1.99/lb
- Hass Avocados: $5 for $5.00
- Publix Classic Salad Blend: $1.99 each

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Publix 73% Lean Ground Beef Roll: $1.69/lb - about 1.5 lbs feeds 4, roughly $2.54 total
- Publix Whole Pork Picnic: $3.99/lb - about 2 lbs usable for 4, roughly $8.00 total
- Armour Meatballs: $4.99 for up to 25 oz - one large pkg feeds 4, roughly $4.99 total
- Perdue Thin Sliced Chicken: $4.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs feeds 4, roughly $7.49 total
- Perdue Ground Chicken: $2 for $8.99 - one pack feeds 4, roughly $4.50 per pack
- Smithfield Ham Steak: $5.99 for 8.2 oz - needs 2 pkgs for 4, roughly $11.98 total
- Publix Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast: $4.50/lb - about 1.5 lbs feeds 4, roughly $6.75 total
- Publix Lean Pork Loin Boneless Chops: $6.49/lb - about 1.5 lbs feeds 4, roughly $9.74 total
- Perdue Short Cuts Chicken Strips: $5.99 for 12-oz pkg - needs 2 pkgs for 4, roughly $11.98 total
- Tyson Chicken Bites: $3.99 for 22-oz pkg - one pkg feeds 4 as part of a meal, roughly $3.99 total
- Ball Franks: $2 for $9.99 - one deal (2 packs) more than covers 4, roughly $9.99 total
- Smithfield Bacon: $2 for $9.99 - one deal covers the week as an accent, roughly $9.99 total
- Butterball Turkey Burgers: $7.99 for 24-oz pkg - one pkg covers 4 burgers, roughly $7.99 total
- Publix Marinated Chicken Thighs: $7.99 each pkg - one or two pkgs feeds 4, roughly $7.99-$15.98 total
- Perdue Air Fryer Ready Wings: $8.99 for 22-oz pkg - one pkg as a fun Friday, roughly $8.99 total
- Publix Boneless Pork Loin Florentine: $7.99 each - one roast feeds 4, roughly $7.99 total
- Publix Ground Round: $8.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs feeds 4, roughly $13.49 total
- Perdue Ground Chicken (2nd deal option): already listed above
- DiLuigi Diner Style Smashables: $9.99 for 18-oz tray - feeds 4 as burgers, roughly $9.99 total
- GreenWise Ground Chuck: $9.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs feeds 4, roughly $14.99 total
- GreenWise Angus Top Sirloin Steak: $9.99/lb - premium cut, about 2 lbs for 4, roughly $19.98 total
- Publix Brisket/Chuck/Sirloin Craft Burgers: $2 for $24.99 - premium price point, roughly $24.99 total
- Publix USDA Choice Beef: $11.49/lb - premium, about 2 lbs for 4, roughly $22.98 total
- GreenWise Sockeye Salmon Fillets: $10.99/lb - premium seafood, about 1.5 lbs for 4, roughly $16.49 total
- GreenWise Lamb Loin Chops: $10.99/lb - premium, about 1.5 lbs for 4, roughly $16.49 total
- Publix White Shrimp: $7.99 for 24-oz pkg - premium seafood, one pkg feeds 4 as a main, roughly $7.99 total
- Publix Mussels: $11.99 for 16-oz pkg - premium seafood, needs 2 pkgs, roughly $23.98 total
- Publix Snapper Fillets: $12.99/lb - most expensive per pound, about 1.5 lbs for 4, roughly $19.49 total

Why these meals: The 73% lean ground beef roll at $1.69 per pound is the standout deal of this entire flyer - there is simply nothing cheaper for a filling family dinner, so it anchors Monday's pasta night at well under $3 for the protein alone. Perdue ground chicken at around $4.50 per pack and Armour meatballs at $4.99 a package are the next two steals, making Tuesday's cheesy meatball subs and Thursday's taco bowls easy, wallet-friendly wins that kids go crazy for. The Publix whole pork picnic at $3.99 per pound is a slow-roast bargain that stretches beautifully over Wednesday's pulled pork night. For Friday, shrimp at $7.99 for a full 24-ounce package is the most family-friendly and best-value seafood on the flyer - it beats snapper, salmon, and mussels on price per serving and is a crowd-pleasing treat the kids will love. Steak, lamb, craft burgers, and mussels were all skipped this week because even at sale prices they push the per-person cost well above what these economical anchor proteins deliver.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake with Broccoli
Description: Super-cheesy baked pasta loaded with seasoned ground beef and tender broccoli florets is the kind of ooey-gooey dinner kids request on repeat. It comes together quickly on a weeknight and gets even better with a little extra shredded cheese melted on top.
Sale items used: Publix 73% Lean Ground Beef Roll, Publix Broccoli, Tillamook Shredded Cheese, Gia Russa Select Pasta Sauce
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs ground beef, 1 head broccoli (cut into small florets), 1 jar pasta sauce, 1 bag shredded cheese, 12 oz pasta (pantry) - serves 4 with generous portions
Recipes:
- Baked Cheesy Pasta with Broccoli and Ground Meat
- Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake

Tuesday
Meal: Armour Meatball Subs with Melted Cheese on Hoagie Rolls
Description: Juicy pre-made meatballs simmered in tangy pasta sauce and piled onto toasted hoagie rolls with melted shredded cheese make a dinner kids absolutely love to eat with their hands. It is fast, fun, and feels like a restaurant-style treat on a regular Tuesday night.
Sale items used: Armour Meatballs, Hoagie Rolls, Gia Russa Select Pasta Sauce, Tillamook Shredded Cheese
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 1 large pkg (25 oz) Armour Meatballs, 1 pkg Hoagie Rolls (8 rolls, 2 per person), 1 jar pasta sauce, 1 bag shredded cheese - serves 4
Recipes:
- Cheesy Meatball Subs (Easy Dinner!)
- Best Italian Meatball Sub (Family Approved Sandwich Recipe)

Wednesday
Meal: Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Sweet Corn and Green Beans
Description: Tender, fall-apart pulled pork shoulder cooked low and slow and piled onto soft hoagie rolls is a crowd-pleasing meal the whole family will devour. Sweet corn on the cob and buttered green beans round out the plate with simple, familiar sides kids actually eat.
Sale items used: Publix Whole Pork Picnic, Hoagie Rolls, Bulk Sweet Corn, Publix Green Beans, McCormick Grill Mates Seasonings
Prep time: 20 minutes active + 6-8 hours slow cooker (or 90 minutes oven)
Serving note: 2.5 lbs pork picnic (bone-in, yields roughly 1.5 lbs pulled meat for 4), 4 ears sweet corn, 1 pkg green beans, 4 hoagie rolls - serves 4

Thursday
Meal: Ground Chicken Taco Bowls with Bell Peppers and Corn
Description: Seasoned ground chicken cooked with colorful bell peppers and sweet corn is spooned over fluffy rice and served in big bowls with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream - a mild, build-your-own dinner kids have fun assembling. Soft flour tortillas on the side make it feel like taco night without anything too spicy.
Sale items used: Perdue Ground Chicken, Red/Yellow/Orange Bell Peppers, Bulk Sweet Corn, Mission Soft Taco Flour Tortillas, Tillamook Shredded Cheese, Breakstone's Sour Cream, McCormick Grill Mates Seasonings
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1 pkg Perdue Ground Chicken (approx 16-18 oz), 1 lb mixed bell peppers, 3 ears sweet corn (cut off cob), 1 pkg flour tortillas, 1 bag shredded cheese, 1 container sour cream - serves 4

Friday
Meal: Butter Garlic Shrimp with Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli
Description: Plump shrimp tossed in a simple butter and mild seasoning sauce and served alongside crispy roasted potato wedges and broccoli is a fun, hands-on Friday dinner that feels special without being fussy. Kids love peeling the shrimp and dipping the potato wedges, making it an interactive end-of-week meal.
Sale items used: Publix White Shrimp, Publix Idaho Russet Potatoes, Publix Broccoli, McCormick Grill Mates Seasonings, Swanson Broth
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 1 pkg (24 oz) White Shrimp, 1 bag (5 lbs) Russet Potatoes (use about half), 1 head broccoli - serves 4 with satisfying portions
Recipes:
- Shrimp and Potatoes Recipe - One Pan
- Sheet Pan Shrimp with Broccoli, Potatoes, and a Garlic Herb Marinade

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Publix 73% Lean Ground Beef Roll (1.5 lbs): $2.54
- Armour Meatballs, large 25-oz pkg (x1): $4.99
- Publix Whole Pork Picnic (2.5 lbs): $9.98
- Perdue Ground Chicken (x1 pack, from 2 for $8.99 deal): $4.50
- Publix White Shrimp, 24-oz pkg (x1): $7.99
- Publix Broccoli (x2 heads, one for Monday, one for Friday): $5.98
- Publix Idaho Russet Potatoes, 5-lb bag (x1): $3.99
- Bulk Sweet Corn (5 ears): $3.00
- Red/Yellow/Orange Bell Peppers (1 lb): $2.99
- Publix Green Beans (x1 pkg from 2 for $5.99): $3.00
- Hoagie Rolls (x2 pkgs for Tuesday and Wednesday): $6.98
- Gia Russa Select Pasta Sauce (x2 jars, one Monday, one Tuesday): $3.98
- Tillamook Shredded Cheese (x2 bags from 2 for $7.99 deal): $7.99
- Breakstone's Sour Cream (x1 from 2 for $5.00): $2.50
- Mission Soft Taco Flour Tortillas (x1 pkg): $2.99
- McCormick Grill Mates Seasonings (x1, BOGO - take two for the price of one): $0.00 (free with BOGO when buying one at regular price - budget one at approx $3.99): $3.99
- Swanson Broth (x1, BOGO - take two for price of one at approx $2.99): $2.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Pasta (penne or rotini, 12 oz) for Monday
- Butter for shrimp and broccoli
- Garlic powder and salt
- Olive oil for roasting potatoes
- Rice for Thursday taco bowls
- Black pepper
- Italian seasoning (for meatball subs)