Publix Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's plan sticks to mild, familiar dinners your kids will actually eat, starting with baked chicken thighs on Monday and finishing with skillet burgers on Friday. Pork carries the middle of the week, with Italian sausage pizza on Tuesday, ground pork meatballs on Wednesday, and pan-seared tenderloin medallions on Thursday, so you can shop one section of the meat case for three dinners. The 2 pack of Publix Pizza Sauce at $3.00 covers both Tuesday and Wednesday, and the 2 packs of Publix Green Beans at $5.00 cover Monday and Thursday. Pizza night is the fun one, since the kids get to stretch the dough and add toppings themselves.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Chicken Thighs with Mashed Russet Potatoes and Green Beans
Description: Chicken thighs are baked until golden and juicy, served with creamy mashed potatoes and tender green beans. Mild, familiar, and easy for kids to eat.
Sale items used: Publix Chicken Thighs, Publix Russet Potatoes, Publix Green Beans
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: 2.5 lbs Publix Chicken Thighs, 1 Publix Russet Potatoes bag, 1 pack Publix Green Beans (2 for $5.00 deal, buy 2 packs to use across the week).
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: Kids stretch Italian Pizza Dough, spread Publix Pizza Sauce, and top with browned Publix Pork Italian Sausage crumbles. Bake until bubbly for a fun hands-on dinner.
Sale items used: Italian Pizza Dough, Publix Pizza Sauce, Publix Pork Italian Sausage
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: 2 Italian Pizza Dough, 1 Publix Pizza Sauce (from the 2 for $3.00 pair, buy 2), 1 package Publix Pork Italian Sausage. Cheese from pantry.
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: Publix Ground Pork is rolled into mild meatballs, browned in a skillet, and simmered in sauce, then served with roasted Fall Hard Squash. Simple, saucy, and kid-approved.
Sale items used: Publix Ground Pork, Fall Hard Squash, Publix Pizza Sauce
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs Publix Ground Pork, 2 lbs Fall Hard Squash, 1 Publix Pizza Sauce (second from the pair bought Tuesday).

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Loin Tenderloin Medallions with Green Beans and Coleslaw
Description: Hatfield Pork Loin Tenderloin is sliced into medallions and pan-seared until lightly browned, with a simple Dijon-free butter seasoning. Served with green beans and crunchy Publix Coleslaw Mix tossed in a mild dressing from pantry.
Sale items used: Hatfield Pork Loin Tenderloin, Publix Green Beans, Publix Coleslaw Mix
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 1 Hatfield Pork Loin Tenderloin, 1 Publix Green Beans pack (second pack), 1 Publix Coleslaw Mix. Dressing of mayo, sugar, and vinegar from pantry.
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: Lean Ground Beef is shaped into patties and pan-cooked, then served on Brioche Hamburger Buns. Add simple toppings kids like.
Sale items used: Lean Ground Beef, Brioche Hamburger Buns
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs Lean Ground Beef (4 patties), 1 Brioche Hamburger Buns pack. Ketchup and cheese slices from pantry.
Recipes:
- Smash Burgers! With Homemade Brioche Buns
- Brioche Beef Burger
- Quick Beef Burgers

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Publix Chicken Thighs (2.5 lbs): $5.98
- Publix Russet Potatoes (1 bag): $3.99
- Publix Green Beans (2 packs): $5.00
- Italian Pizza Dough (2): $5.98
- Publix Pizza Sauce (2 pack): $3.00
- Publix Pork Italian Sausage (1): $5.69
- Publix Ground Pork (1.5 lbs): $5.24
- Fall Hard Squash (2 lbs): $1.98
- Hatfield Pork Loin Tenderloin (1): $5.99
- Publix Coleslaw Mix (1): $1.49
- Lean Ground Beef (1.5 lbs): $13.49
- Brioche Hamburger Buns (1): $3.49

Pantry staples needed:
- Cooking oil, butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, shredded cheese, mayo, sugar, vinegar, ketchup, burger toppings