Publix Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Publix Pork Picnic Half at $2.49/lb - about 2 lbs needed for 4 people = roughly $5.00 total, or $1.25 per serving
- GreenWise Ground Chicken (16-oz tray) at $3.99 per tray - one tray feeds 4 people = $3.99 total, or $1.00 per serving (note: one 16-oz tray is the full quantity needed)
- Perdue Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts at $4.49/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = roughly $8.98 total, or $2.25 per serving
- Publix Tuna Steaks (Wild, Frozen, 12-oz pkg.) at $5.99 per pkg. - one 12-oz package serves 4 as a pasta component = $5.99 total, or $1.50 per serving
- Publix Italian Sausage (Pesto Provolone Cheese, 20-oz pkg.) at $5.69 per pkg. - one 20-oz package serves 4 = $5.69 total, or $1.42 per serving
- GreenWise Lean Pork Loin Chops (Boneless) at $6.49/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = roughly $12.98 total, or $3.25 per serving
- White Shrimp (Large) at $6.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = roughly $10.49 total, or $2.62 per serving
- Salmon Fillets (Fresh, Farmed) at $11.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = roughly $17.99 total, or $4.50 per serving

Why these meals: This week's four everyday dinners lean on some of the most wallet-friendly proteins on the flyer. GreenWise Ground Chicken at $3.99 for a full 16-oz tray is a standout deal and anchors a fun skillet pasta night kids will love. Perdue Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts at $4.49/lb give you a classic baked chicken dinner for well under $10 in protein. Publix Italian Sausage at $5.69 for a 20-oz package makes a hearty sausage and rice skillet that stretches beautifully for four. Publix Tuna Steaks at $5.99 a package round out the budget nights with a simple tuna pasta that feels a little special without the price tag. For the one premium night, White Shrimp at $6.99/lb was the best value among the seafood options - salmon would have run nearly $18 in protein alone, making shrimp the clear choice for a fun Friday shrimp taco night the whole family will request again. The Bulk Sweet Corn at 5 for $3.00, Publix Green Beans at $2.99, and Broccoli at 2 for $6.00 keep the vegetable sides very affordable all week, and the Kraft Shredded Cheese at 2 for $6.00 adds cheesy appeal to multiple meals without breaking the budget.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Ground Chicken Skillet Pasta with Broccoli and Parmesan
Description: Seasoned GreenWise Ground Chicken is browned in a skillet with garlic and olive oil, then tossed with cooked Pastazara Organic Pasta and tender broccoli florets for a simple, satisfying dinner kids will clean their plates for. A generous shower of Belgioioso Parmesan Cheese on top makes it feel like a restaurant-style meal right at home.
Sale items used: GreenWise Ground Chicken (16-oz tray), Pastazara Organic Pasta (1-lb bag), Broccoli (1 bunch), Belgioioso Parmesan Cheese (8-oz pkg.)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 full 16-oz tray of GreenWise Ground Chicken for 4 people. Cook 1 full 1-lb bag of Pastazara Organic Pasta (buy 2 bags BOGO, use 1 bag this night and save 1 for Thursday). Use 1 bunch of broccoli, cut into florets. Use approximately 2 oz of Belgioioso Parmesan Cheese from the 8-oz package, saving the rest for other uses.
Recipes:
- Stovetop Chicken Broccoli Parmesan Pasta
- Ground Chicken Pasta Recipe: A Kid-Friendly One-Pan Italian Dish

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Perdue Chicken Breasts with Sweet Corn and Green Beans
Description: Perdue Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts are seasoned simply with pantry spices and baked until juicy and golden, served alongside sweet corn on the cob and crisp-tender green beans for a classic, no-fuss dinner every kid recognizes and loves. This is the kind of straightforward plate that disappears fast at the table.
Sale items used: Perdue Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Bulk Sweet Corn (each), Publix Green Beans (1-lb bag)
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: Purchase approximately 2 lbs of Perdue Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts for 4 people, roughly 4 medium breasts at $4.49/lb totaling about $8.98. Buy 4 ears of Bulk Sweet Corn (4 of the 5 for $3.00 deal, cost $2.40). Use 1 bag of Publix Green Beans at $2.99. Bake chicken at 400 degrees F for 22 to 25 minutes until cooked through.
Recipes:
- Easy Chicken and Green Beans Dinner
- Chicken and Green Beans

Wednesday
Meal: Publix Italian Sausage and Rice Skillet with Broccoli
Description: Sliced Publix Italian Sausage (Pesto Provolone Cheese) is pan-seared until browned, then combined with cooked Zatarain's Rice and steamed broccoli in one big skillet for a hearty, cheesy weeknight dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes. The pesto provolone flavor in the sausage adds a mild, savory richness that kids find irresistible.
Sale items used: Publix Italian Sausage (Pesto Provolone Cheese, 20-oz pkg.), Zatarain's Rice (6 to 12-oz box), Broccoli (1 bunch)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 full 20-oz package of Publix Italian Sausage at $5.69, sliced into rounds, which feeds 4 generously. Buy 2 boxes of Zatarain's Rice BOGO (pay for 1, get 1 free - no base price listed, so use 1 box this night). Use 1 bunch of broccoli at $3.00 (second of the 2 for $6.00 deal). Note: Zatarain's Rice is BOGO with no stated base price; cost is listed as $0.00 in the shopping list since no base price is available from the flyer - treat as a pantry staple or skip and substitute pantry rice.
Recipes:
- Sausage, Rice and Broccoli: An Incredible Ultimate Meal

Thursday
Meal: Tuna Pasta with Kraft Shredded Cheese and Campari Tomatoes
Description: Publix Tuna Steaks are broken into chunks and stirred into the reserved cooked Pastazara Organic Pasta with halved Campari Tomatoes, a drizzle of olive oil, and a handful of Kraft Shredded Cheese melted over the top for a quick, kid-approved pasta dinner. It is mild, cheesy, and filling - a great way to get kids excited about fish without any strong flavors.
Sale items used: Publix Tuna Steaks (Wild, Frozen, 12-oz pkg.), Pastazara Organic Pasta (1-lb bag, second bag from Monday BOGO), Campari Tomatoes (1-lb pkg.), Kraft Shredded Cheese (6 to 8-oz pkg.)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 full 12-oz package of Publix Tuna Steaks at $5.99, thawed and flaked, which serves 4 as a pasta component. Use the second 1-lb bag of Pastazara Organic Pasta saved from Monday's BOGO (no additional cost). Buy 2 packages of Campari Tomatoes BOGO (no base price listed - use 1 package this night). Buy 2 packages of Kraft Shredded Cheese at 2 for $6.00, use 1 package tonight and save 1 for Friday.

Friday
Meal: Pan-Cooked White Shrimp Tacos with Coleslaw and Kraft Shredded Cheese
Description: Large White Shrimp are seasoned with mild spices and cooked quickly in a skillet, then tucked into warm Publix Enriched White Bread slices or served in a simple taco-style setup with Publix Coleslaw Mix tossed in a light dressing and topped with Kraft Shredded Cheese for a fun, hands-on Friday dinner kids love to build themselves. The shrimp cook in under 5 minutes and the whole meal is on the table in 20 minutes flat.
Sale items used: White Shrimp (Large, 31 to 35 per Pound), Publix Coleslaw Mix (16-oz pkg.), Kraft Shredded Cheese (6 to 8-oz pkg., second package from Thursday), Publix Enriched White Bread (Large, 20-oz loaf)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Purchase approximately 1.5 lbs of White Shrimp at $6.99/lb, totaling about $10.49, which yields roughly 46 to 52 shrimp - plenty for 4 people. Use 1 full 16-oz bag of Publix Coleslaw Mix at $1.49 tossed with pantry mayo or dressing. Use the second package of Kraft Shredded Cheese saved from Thursday (already paid for). Use 1 loaf of Publix Enriched White Bread at $1.75 for serving.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- GreenWise Ground Chicken (1 tray, 16-oz): $3.99
- Pastazara Organic Pasta (buy 2 bags BOGO, pay for 1): $0.00 (BOGO - no base price listed; treat as pantry staple - see note below)
- Broccoli (2 bunches, 2 for $6.00): $6.00
- Belgioioso Parmesan Cheese (1 pkg., 8-oz): $3.99
- Perdue Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (2 lbs at $4.49/lb): $8.98
- Bulk Sweet Corn (4 ears at 5 for $3.00, $0.60 each): $2.40
- Publix Green Beans (1 bag, 1-lb): $2.99
- Publix Italian Sausage, Pesto Provolone Cheese (1 pkg., 20-oz): $5.69
- Publix Tuna Steaks (1 pkg., 12-oz): $5.99
- Campari Tomatoes (buy 2 pkgs. BOGO - no base price listed; see note below): $0.00
- Kraft Shredded Cheese (2 pkgs. at 2 for $6.00): $6.00
- White Shrimp, Large (1.5 lbs at $6.99/lb): $10.49
- Publix Coleslaw Mix (1 pkg., 16-oz): $1.49
- Publix Enriched White Bread (1 loaf, 20-oz): $1.75

Note: Pastazara Organic Pasta is BOGO with no stated base price in the flyer; it is listed at $0.00 above and treated as a pantry staple cost. Campari Tomatoes are BOGO with no stated base price; listed at $0.00 above. These two items should be confirmed in-store for pricing.

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or minced)
- Salt and black pepper
- Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- Paprika
- Mayonnaise or coleslaw dressing (for Friday coleslaw)
- Mild hot sauce or lime juice (optional, for shrimp tacos)
- Pantry rice (as backup if Zatarain's BOGO base price is unavailable at checkout)