Publix Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Publix Whole Young Chicken at $1.59/lb - about 4 lbs needed, roughly $6.36 total, $1.59 per serving
- Publix Pork Boston Butt Roast, Bone-In at $2.99/lb - about 2.5 lbs needed (bone-in), roughly $7.48 total, $1.87 per serving
- Publix Assorted Pork Loin Chops BOGO - 8 chops per package, flyer does not state a base price per package, so this item cannot be priced and is excluded
- Springer Mountain Farms Chicken Breasts, Boneless at $3.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs needed, roughly $5.99 total, $1.50 per serving
- Publix Chicken Wings at $3.99/lb - about 3 lbs needed, roughly $11.97 total, $2.99 per serving
- Oscar Mayer Wieners BOGO - no stated base price per package, excluded from pricing
- Publix Mild Pork Italian Sausage at $5.69 per 20-oz pkg - 1 package feeds 4, $5.69 total, $1.42 per serving
- Tyson Chicken Nuggets BOGO - no stated base price per package, excluded from pricing
- Cooked Perfect Meatballs BOGO - no stated base price per package, excluded from pricing
- Lean Ground Beef at $8.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs needed, roughly $13.49 total, $3.37 per serving
- White Shrimp at $9.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs needed, roughly $14.99 total, $3.75 per serving (premium)

Why these meals: The backbone of this week is four genuinely affordable proteins: Publix Mild Pork Italian Sausage at just $1.42 per serving anchors a hearty pasta night, Springer Mountain Farms Chicken Breasts at $1.50 per serving power a simple baked chicken dinner, Publix Whole Young Chicken at $1.59 per serving makes a roasted chicken night feel special without the price tag, and Publix Pork Boston Butt Roast at $1.87 per serving gives you a slow-cooked pulled pork that kids absolutely love. White Shrimp at $9.99/lb earns the one premium night because it is the most kid-friendly of the premium proteins on this flyer - shrimp cook in minutes, kids love them, and buying 1.5 lbs keeps the splurge reasonable. The BOGO on Rummo Pasta and Prego Italian Sauce makes the pasta night a standout value, and the BOGO on King's Hawaiian Rolls turns the pulled pork night into a fun slider dinner the whole family will request again.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Springer Mountain Farms Chicken Breasts with Buttered Sweet Corn
Description: Boneless chicken breasts are seasoned simply and baked until juicy, served alongside sweet corn on the cob cooked in butter - a classic, no-fuss dinner kids of any age will clean their plates for. The mild flavors and familiar sides make this a stress-free weeknight win.
Sale items used: Springer Mountain Farms Chicken Breasts Boneless, Bulk Sweet Corn, Cabot Sweet Cream Butter
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Springer Mountain Farms Chicken Breasts Boneless (roughly 3 breasts, sliced in half if large) for 4 people. Buy 4 ears of Bulk Sweet Corn (4 ears from the 5 for $3.00 deal). Use 1 package of Cabot Sweet Cream Butter (BOGO - pay for 1, get 1 free; use a few tablespoons for corn and save the rest for the week).

Tuesday
Meal: Pork Italian Sausage Pasta with Prego Marinara
Description: Sliced Publix Mild Pork Italian Sausage is browned in a pan and tossed with Rummo pasta and Prego Italian Sauce for a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes. Kids love the mild, savory sausage with classic red sauce, and Sargento Shredded Cheese melted on top makes it feel like a restaurant meal at home.
Sale items used: Publix Mild Pork Italian Sausage, Rummo Pasta, Prego Italian Sauce, Sargento Shredded Cheese
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package (20-oz) of Publix Mild Pork Italian Sausage, 1 bag (1-lb) of Rummo Pasta (BOGO - pay for 1 bag, get 1 free; use one bag tonight and save the second), and 1 jar of Prego Italian Sauce (BOGO - pay for 1 jar, get 1 free; use one jar tonight and save the second). Use 1 package of Sargento Shredded Cheese (2 for $8.00 - buy 2 packages at $4.00 each; use one tonight).
Recipes:
- Italian Sausage Pasta (Easy Spaghetti Recipe)

Wednesday
Meal: Slow-Roasted Publix Whole Young Chicken with Broccoli
Description: A whole young chicken is seasoned and roasted low and slow in the oven until the skin is golden and the meat is tender throughout, served with steamed broccoli on the side. This is a satisfying, wholesome dinner that feels like a Sunday supper even on a Wednesday.
Sale items used: Publix Whole Young Chicken, Broccoli, Cabot Sweet Cream Butter
Prep time: 20 minutes prep, approximately 90 minutes total roasting time - place chicken in oven by 5:00 PM for a 6:30 PM dinner.
Serving note: Use 1 whole Publix Whole Young Chicken at approximately 4 lbs (at $1.59/lb, roughly $6.36). Buy 1 bunch of Broccoli from the 2 for $6.00 deal (buy 2 bunches at $3.00 each; use one tonight and one later in the week). Use a few tablespoons from the Cabot Sweet Cream Butter already purchased Monday. Total roasting time exceeds 60 minutes - season the chicken the night before and refrigerate uncovered for crispier skin.

Thursday
Meal: Slow-Cooked Pork Boston Butt Pulled Pork Sliders on King's Hawaiian Rolls
Description: Publix Pork Boston Butt Roast is seasoned and cooked low and slow in the oven until it shreds easily, then piled onto King's Hawaiian Rolls with G Hughes BBQ Sauce for sliders kids will go crazy for. The sweet rolls and tangy sauce make this a fun, hands-on dinner that feels like a backyard cookout.
Sale items used: Publix Pork Boston Butt Roast Bone-In, King's Hawaiian Rolls, G Hughes BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 20 minutes prep, approximately 4 hours total low-and-slow oven time - start by noon for a 5:00 PM dinner, or start the night before and reheat.
Serving note: Use approximately 2.5 lbs of Publix Pork Boston Butt Roast Bone-In (at $2.99/lb, roughly $7.48; bone-in weight accounts for bone). Buy 1 package of King's Hawaiian Rolls (12-oz, $3.99). Buy 1 bottle of G Hughes BBQ Sauce (BOGO - no stated base price per bottle; the BOGO deal has no base price listed in the flyer, so charge is noted below). This is a long-cook meal - place in a covered roasting pan at 300 degrees F by noon or prep the evening before and reheat gently in the oven at 325 degrees F for 20 minutes.

Friday
Meal: Sauteed White Shrimp with Buttered Broccoli and White Mountain Bread
Description: Colossal white shrimp are quickly sauteed in butter with simple seasoning until pink and tender, served alongside the second bunch of broccoli steamed and finished with butter, with slices of White Mountain Bread for dipping. Shrimp cook in under 5 minutes and the whole meal is on the table in 20 minutes - a fun, slightly special Friday dinner kids love to eat with their hands.
Sale items used: White Shrimp, Broccoli, Cabot Sweet Cream Butter, White Mountain Bread
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of White Shrimp (at $9.99/lb, roughly $14.99 for the colossal shrimp; peeled and deveined before cooking). Use the second bunch of Broccoli already purchased Wednesday (2 for $6.00 deal covered both bunches). Use butter from the Cabot Sweet Cream Butter BOGO already purchased. Buy 1 loaf of White Mountain Bread ($2.99).

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Springer Mountain Farms Chicken Breasts Boneless (1.5 lbs at $3.99/lb): $5.99
- Bulk Sweet Corn (4 ears at 5 for $3.00, priced at $0.60 each): $2.40
- Cabot Sweet Cream Butter (buy 1 get 1 free, pay for 1 package): $4.99
- Publix Mild Pork Italian Sausage (1 package, 20-oz): $5.69
- Rummo Pasta (buy 1 get 1 free, pay for 1 bag): $3.99
- Prego Italian Sauce (buy 1 get 1 free, pay for 1 jar): $3.99
- Sargento Shredded Cheese (2 packages at 2 for $8.00): $8.00
- Publix Whole Young Chicken (approximately 4 lbs at $1.59/lb): $6.36
- Broccoli (2 bunches at 2 for $6.00): $6.00
- Publix Pork Boston Butt Roast Bone-In (approximately 2.5 lbs at $2.99/lb): $7.48
- King's Hawaiian Rolls (1 package): $3.99
- White Shrimp (1.5 lbs at $9.99/lb): $14.99
- White Mountain Bread (1 loaf): $2.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Olive oil or vegetable oil (for sauteing shrimp and browning sausage)
- Dried Italian seasoning or oregano
- Paprika (for chicken seasoning)