Publix Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's flyer leans heavily on premium cuts, but there are some genuinely great everyday values to anchor the week. The Publix Pork Picnic Half at $2.49/lb is the standout deal of the flyer - it is one of the most economical proteins available and makes a fantastic slow-roasted dinner the whole family will love. Perdue Ground Chicken at 2 for $8.00 (you only need one pack) keeps a pasta night very affordable, and Smithfield Pork Sausage Patties at $4.99 for a pack make a fun, kid-approved skillet dinner without breaking the bank. Prairie Fresh Pork Tenderloin at 2 for $12.00 means you pay just $6.00 for one tenderloin that feeds four, making it a surprisingly economical choice that feels a little special on a weeknight. Ground Chuck at $7.99/lb rounds out the week with a classic burger night the kids will love. The Publix Seasoned Beef Meatballs earn the one premium slot this week - at $7.99/lb they are not cheap, but paired with Rao's Homemade Sauce and French Bread they deliver a crowd-pleasing, hands-off dinner that feels like a treat. Expensive cuts like ribeye, crab, snapper, and porterhouse were deliberately skipped to keep the week's total in a reasonable range.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Slow-Roasted Pork Picnic Half with Sweet Corn and Bush's Best Baked Beans
Description: A bone-in pork picnic half is seasoned and slow-roasted in the oven until the meat is tender and the exterior is nicely browned, then sliced and served alongside sweet corn on the cob and warm baked beans. This is a classic, comforting dinner that kids love - think backyard cookout flavors any night of the week.
Sale items used: Publix Pork Picnic Half, Bulk Sweet Corn, Bush's Best Baked Beans
Prep time: 20 minutes active (3 to 4 hours total roasting time)
Serving note: Use approximately 3 lbs of Publix Pork Picnic Half for 4 people ($7.47). Roast at 325 degrees F for 3 to 4 hours until internal temperature reaches 190 degrees F for sliceable, tender meat. Use 4 ears of Bulk Sweet Corn (from the 5 for $3.00 deal, purchase 5 ears and save one for another use). Use 1 can of Bush's Best Baked Beans (from the 2 for $3.00 deal, purchase 2 cans and use the second later in the week). Make-ahead note: start the roast by early afternoon so it is ready by dinnertime.

Tuesday
Meal: Ground Chicken Pasta with Rao's Homemade Sauce and French Bread
Description: Perdue Ground Chicken is browned in a skillet with garlic and Italian seasoning, then simmered with Rao's Homemade Sauce and tossed with cooked pasta for a simple, kid-friendly dinner. Slices of French Bread are served alongside for dipping and soaking up the sauce.
Sale items used: Perdue Ground Chicken, Rao's Homemade Sauce, French Bread, Publix Grated Cheese
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pack of Perdue Ground Chicken (from the 2 for $8.00 deal, purchase 2 packs and use the second pack on Thursday). Use 1 jar of Rao's Homemade Sauce. Use 1 loaf of French Bread. Use 1 pack of Publix Grated Cheese (from the 2 for $5.00 deal, purchase 2 packs and use the second on Friday). Serve over 12 oz of pasta from pantry.

Wednesday
Meal: Publix Seasoned Beef Meatball Subs with Rao's Homemade Sauce and Sargento Cheese Slices
Description: Publix Seasoned Beef Meatballs are simmered in Rao's Homemade Sauce until heated through, then loaded into split French Bread and topped with melted Sargento Cheese Slices for a fun, handheld meatball sub the kids will go crazy for. Serve with Publix Snack Size Baby Cut Carrots on the side for a simple, crunchy vegetable.
Sale items used: Publix Seasoned Beef Meatballs, Rao's Homemade Sauce, French Bread, Sargento Cheese Slices, Publix Snack Size Baby Cut Carrots
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Publix Seasoned Beef Meatballs. Use 1 jar of Rao's Homemade Sauce. Use 1 loaf of French Bread (split lengthwise into 4 sub portions). Use 1 pack of Sargento Cheese Slices (from the 2 for $8.00 deal, purchase 2 packs and use the second pack later). Use 1 bag of Publix Snack Size Baby Cut Carrots (from the 2 for $3.00 deal, purchase 2 bags and use the second bag as a snack or side another night).

Thursday
Meal: Skillet Ground Chicken and Broccoli Rice Bowl with Knorr Sides
Description: The second pack of Perdue Ground Chicken is cooked in a skillet with broccoli florets and a simple savory sauce, then served over a prepared Knorr Sides rice for a quick, filling bowl dinner kids will happily eat. The mild flavors and familiar textures make this a weeknight winner with minimal fuss.
Sale items used: Perdue Ground Chicken, Broccoli or Cauliflower, Knorr Sides, Swanson Broth
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use the second pack of Perdue Ground Chicken (already purchased Tuesday). Use 1 head of broccoli (from the 2 for $6.00 deal, purchase 2 heads and use the second as a side another night or as a snack with the leftover carrots). Use 2 packs of Knorr Sides (from the 4 for $4.00 deal, purchase 4 packs and use the remaining 2 packs as sides later). Use 1 can of Swanson Broth (from the 2 for $4.00 deal, purchase 2 cans) to add moisture to the skillet.

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Prairie Fresh Pork Tenderloin with Ore-Ida Potatoes and Zucchini
Description: A Prairie Fresh Pork Tenderloin is sliced into medallions and pan-seared in a skillet until golden and cooked through, then served with crispy Ore-Ida Potatoes baked in the oven and sauteed slices of Zucchini or Yellow Squash for a colorful, kid-pleasing plate. This is a feel-good Friday dinner that comes together in under an hour and uses the second tenderloin from the 2 for $12.00 deal.
Sale items used: Prairie Fresh Pork Tenderloin, Ore-Ida Potatoes, Zucchini or Yellow Squash, Publix Grated Cheese
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 Prairie Fresh Pork Tenderloin (the second from the 2 for $12.00 pack purchased Monday; the first was used Monday). Slice into 1-inch medallions and pan-sear 3 to 4 minutes per side. Use 1 bag of Ore-Ida Potatoes (from the 2 for $10.00 deal, purchase 2 bags and use the second bag as a side another time or for weekend meals). Use 1 Zucchini or Yellow Squash, sliced and sauteed. Top potatoes with the second pack of Publix Grated Cheese (already purchased Tuesday).

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Publix Pork Picnic Half (3 lbs): $7.47
- Bulk Sweet Corn (x5 ears): $3.00
- Bush's Best Baked Beans (x2 cans): $3.00
- Perdue Ground Chicken (x2 packs): $8.00
- Rao's Homemade Sauce (x2 jars): $12.98
- French Bread (x2 loaves): $4.98
- Publix Grated Cheese (x2 packs): $5.00
- Publix Seasoned Beef Meatballs (1.5 lbs): $11.99
- Sargento Cheese Slices (x2 packs): $8.00
- Publix Snack Size Baby Cut Carrots (x2 bags): $3.00
- Broccoli or Cauliflower (x2 heads): $6.00
- Knorr Sides (x4 packs): $4.00
- Swanson Broth (x2 cans): $4.00
- Prairie Fresh Pork Tenderloin (x2 pack, 2 tenderloins): $12.00
- Ore-Ida Potatoes (x2 bags): $10.00
- Zucchini or Yellow Squash (x1): $3.49

Pantry staples needed:
- Pasta (12 oz, any shape)
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- Garlic (fresh or jarred)
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Butter (for sauteing zucchini)