Publix Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Chicken Thighs with Mashed Russet Potatoes and Green Beans
Description: Two juicy baked chicken thighs are served with creamy mashed potatoes and tender green beans. Simple salt-and-pepper seasoning keeps it mild and familiar for kids.
Sale items used: Publix Chicken Thighs, Publix Russet Potatoes, Publix Green Beans
Prep time: 55 minutes
Serving note: Use about 0.75 lb chicken thighs (2 bone-in thighs), 1 medium russet from the bag, and about 1 cup of green beans from the pack. Bake at 425F for 35-40 minutes while you boil and mash the potato with a little butter and milk. Leftover potatoes and green beans are not needed later except green beans on Thursday.
Recipes:
- Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Green Beans & Potatoes
- Roasted Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Green Beans
- Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

Tuesday
Meal: Homemade Pizza Night with Italian Sausage
Description: A personal pizza is built on stretched pizza dough with mild sauce, cheese, and browned crumbled sausage. Kids can help by spreading the sauce and sprinkling the toppings.
Sale items used: Italian Pizza Dough, Publix Pizza Sauce, Publix Pork Italian Sausage
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use one third of the pizza dough ball (about 5 oz) for a personal pizza, 1/4 cup pizza sauce, and 1 sausage link (about 3 oz) removed from its casing and browned. Top with 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella. Bake at 450F for 12-15 minutes. Freeze the remaining dough in portions for another night.
Recipes:
- Sausage Pizza Recipe
- Sausage and Peppers Pizza
- Italian Sausage Pizza with Peppers, Tomatoes and Basil

Wednesday
Meal: Pork Meatball Subs-Style Skillet with Squash
Description: Mini pork meatballs simmer in pizza sauce with sauteed squash coins and melted cheese on top. It tastes like a meatball sub without the bread, and it is easy to eat with a fork.
Sale items used: Publix Ground Pork, Publix Pizza Sauce, Yellow Squash or Zucchini
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 0.4 lb ground pork (assumed total weight) mixed with 2 tbsp breadcrumbs and a pinch of garlic powder, rolled into about 6 small meatballs. Slice 1/2 of one squash and cook it in the skillet with the meatballs and 1/2 cup pizza sauce for about 15 minutes. Top with a spoonful of shredded mozzarella.

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Loin Tenderloin Medallions with Green Beans and Coleslaw
Description: Pork tenderloin is sliced into thick medallions and seared until golden and juicy. They are served with soft green beans and a crunchy, lightly sweet coleslaw.
Sale items used: Hatfield Pork Loin Tenderloin, Publix Green Beans, Publix Coleslaw Mix
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Cut about 6 oz (about one third of the tenderloin) into medallions and sear 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through to 145F. Use about 1 cup green beans and 1 cup coleslaw mix tossed with a little mayo, vinegar, and sugar. Freeze the rest of the tenderloin for another meal.
Recipes:
- Pan Seared Pork Medallions Recipe
- Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Pan Sauce
- Pan-seared pork tenderloin medallions with rustic sausage hash and sauteed garlic and butter french cut green beans

Friday
Meal: Skillet Beef Burgers on Brioche Hamburger Buns
Description: A juicy beef patty is cooked in a skillet and served on a soft toasted brioche bun. Add ketchup, cheese, or pickles to suit your taste.
Sale items used: Lean Ground Beef, Brioche Hamburger Buns
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 0.33 lb lean ground beef (assumed total weight) for one patty and 1 brioche bun from the pack. Cook 4-5 minutes per side until no pink remains, then toast the bun in the skillet. Freeze the other buns for later.
Recipes:
- Smash Burgers! With Homemade Brioche Buns
- Brioche Beef Burger
- Quick Beef Burgers

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Publix Chicken Thighs (0.75 lb): $1.79
- Publix Russet Potatoes (x1 bag): $3.99
- Publix Green Beans (x2 packs): $5.00
- Publix Pork Italian Sausage (x1 pack): $5.69
- Italian Pizza Dough (x1): $2.99
- Publix Pizza Sauce (x2 cans): $3.00
- Publix Ground Pork (0.4 lb): $1.40
- Yellow Squash or Zucchini (x1): $3.99
- Hatfield Pork Loin Tenderloin (x1): $5.99
- Publix Coleslaw Mix (x1): $1.49
- Brioche Hamburger Buns (x1 pack): $3.49
- Lean Ground Beef (0.33 lb): $2.97

Pantry staples needed:
- Salt, pepper, olive oil, butter, milk, garlic powder, breadcrumbs, shredded mozzarella, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, ketchup, pickles