Publix Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: You'll notice pork shows up twice in this plan, as a slow-roasted Pork Picnic on Monday and as quick seared tenderloin medallions on Thursday, so the two nights feel completely different. Four packs of Publix Baby Cut Carrots for $5.00 cover both Tuesday's honey-garlic wings and Wednesday's meatloaf muffins, and the two Publix Garlic Bread packages for $6.00 go to Wednesday and Friday. Sargento Shredded Cheese goes into the Wednesday muffins and onto the Thursday medallions, which are easy ways to get kids excited about dinner. Thursday and Friday split the two Publix Salad Kits at $6.00, and Friday's garlic butter shrimp is a fast finish to the week.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Roasted Pork Picnic with Brown Sugar Fall Hard Squash
Description: The Publix Pork Picnic roasts low and slow in the oven with a simple salt, pepper and garlic rub until tender enough to slice. Cubed Fall Hard Squash roasts alongside with a little brown sugar and butter for a sweet, familiar side kids enjoy.
Sale items used: Publix Pork Picnic, Fall Hard Squash
Prep time: 15 minutes active, about 3 hours oven time
Serving note: Pork Picnic: 3 lbs total for 4 people. Fall Hard Squash: 2 lbs total, cut into chunks and added to the oven for the last 40 minutes. Total time is over 60 minutes, so season the pork the night before and put it in the oven by 3:30 pm. You can also roast it Sunday and reheat slices in the oven with a splash of water.
Recipes:
- Brown Sugar Roasted Butternut Squash
- Easy Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe
- Brown Sugar Roasted Butternut Squash

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Honey-Garlic Chicken Wings with Roasted Baby Cut Carrots
Description: Publix Chicken Wings bake on a sheet pan until crisp, then get tossed in a mild honey, soy and garlic glaze. Publix Baby Cut Carrots roast on the same pan with a little oil and salt.
Sale items used: Publix Chicken Wings, Publix Baby Cut Carrots
Prep time: 10 minutes active, 45 minutes bake
Serving note: Publix Chicken Wings: 2.5 lbs total. Publix Baby Cut Carrots: 2 packs. Bake the wings at 425 F for 40 to 45 minutes, adding the carrots for the last 25 minutes, then toss the wings in the glaze (about 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp garlic powder from the pantry).
Recipes:
- Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
- Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Wings - The Whole Cook
- Honey Garlic Chicken Wings (Oven Baked)

Wednesday
Meal: Cheesy Mini Meatloaf Muffins with Garlic Bread and Buttered Carrots
Description: Ground Sirloin is mixed with Sargento Shredded Cheese, breadcrumbs, an egg and a ketchup glaze, then baked in a muffin tin so each kid gets their own mini loaf. Serve with warm Publix Garlic Bread and steamed Publix Baby Cut Carrots tossed in butter.
Sale items used: Ground Sirloin, Sargento Shredded Cheese, Publix Garlic Bread, Publix Baby Cut Carrots
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Ground Sirloin: 1.25 lbs total. Sargento Shredded Cheese: 1 bag. Publix Garlic Bread: 1 package. Publix Baby Cut Carrots: 2 packs (the second half of the 4-pack deal). Bake the muffins in a 12-cup tin at 375 F for 20 to 25 minutes, until cooked through.
Recipes:
- Mini Meatloaf Muffins
- Meatloaf Muffins (Easy Muffin Tin Meatloaf Recipe)
- Kid-Friendly Easy Mini Meatloaf Muffins

Thursday
Meal: Cheesy Pan-Seared Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Salad Kit and Grapes
Description: Publix Extra Lean Pork Loin Tenderloins are sliced into medallions, seared in a skillet until just cooked through, and topped with melted Sargento Shredded Cheese. Serve with a Publix Salad Kit and a bowl of Red or White Seedless Grapes.
Sale items used: Publix Extra Lean Pork Loin Tenderloins, Sargento Shredded Cheese, Publix Salad Kit, Red or White Seedless Grapes
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Publix Extra Lean Pork Loin Tenderloins: 1.5 lbs total, sliced about 3/4 inch thick. Sear 3 to 4 minutes per side, just until cooked through, since lean pork dries out if overcooked. Sargento Shredded Cheese: 1 bag. Publix Salad Kit: 1 kit. Red or White Seedless Grapes: 1 lb.
Recipes:
- Seared Pork Tenderloin with Grapes
- Pork Medallions with Pan Sauce
- Juicy Pan Seared Pork Medallions - Easy Dinner Recipe!

Friday
Meal: Garlic Butter Skillet Shrimp with Garlic Bread and Salad Kit
Description: White Shrimp cook in a skillet with butter, garlic and a squeeze of lemon until pink, about 5 minutes. Serve with warm Publix Garlic Bread for dipping and a Publix Salad Kit on the side.
Sale items used: White Shrimp, Publix Garlic Bread, Publix Salad Kit
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: White Shrimp: 1.25 lbs total (peeled and deveined if available, otherwise peel at home). Publix Garlic Bread: 1 package (the second of the 2 for $6.00). Publix Salad Kit: 1 kit (the second of the 2 for $6.00). Cook the shrimp over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Recipes:
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe: How to Make It
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe (with Video)

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Publix Pork Picnic (3 lbs): $7.47
- Fall Hard Squash (2 lbs): $1.98
- Publix Chicken Wings (2.5 lbs): $9.98
- Publix Baby Cut Carrots (x4 packs): $5.00
- Ground Sirloin (1.25 lbs): $9.99
- Publix Garlic Bread (x2 packages): $6.00
- Sargento Shredded Cheese (x2 bags): $7.00
- Publix Extra Lean Pork Loin Tenderloins (1.5 lbs): $7.49
- Red or White Seedless Grapes (1 lb): $2.99
- Publix Salad Kit (x2 kits): $6.00
- White Shrimp (1.25 lbs): $11.24

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Ketchup
- Plain breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Lemon