Publix Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's plan is built around familiar, kid-friendly dinners that lean on what is on sale at Publix. Broccoli does double duty on Monday with the glazed drumsticks and on Tuesday in the sweet soy ground pork noodle skillet, and the 2 for $6.00 pair covers both nights. The Fresh Attitude Salads 2 for $6.00 pair also stretches across two dinners, the Wednesday meatloaf muffins and the Friday pork chops, and apples show up twice as well, with crisp Granny Smith slices on Wednesday and cinnamon Honeycrisp on Friday. Thursday's London Broil rice bowls let the kids build their own plates with avocado and tomato, and most of the seasonings are pantry staples you likely already have, so the shopping stays simple.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Glazed Drumsticks with Roasted Broccoli and Buttered Rice
Description: Publix Chicken Drumsticks are baked until golden and brushed with a mild sweet ketchup glaze for the last 10 minutes. They are served with oven-roasted Broccoli and buttery rice, and kids can eat the drumsticks with their hands.
Sale items used: Publix Chicken Drumsticks, Broccoli
Prep time: 55 minutes
Serving note: 3 lbs Publix Chicken Drumsticks (about 3 per person, bone-in), 1 head from the Broccoli 2 for $6.00 pair, and about 2 cups uncooked pantry rice for 4 people. Bake at 425°F for about 40 minutes and glaze in the last 10.
Recipes:
- Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Easy Cheesy Broccoli Rice
- One Pan Chicken Drumsticks With Broccoli & Cheese Rice
- Chicken Drumsticks with Broccoli and Cheese Rice

Tuesday
Meal: Sweet Soy Ground Pork Noodle Skillet with Broccoli
Description: Publix Ground Pork is browned in a skillet with a mild sweet soy sauce and tossed with spaghetti and small Broccoli florets. It is a familiar, noodle-twirling dinner that comes together in one pan plus a pot.
Sale items used: Publix Ground Pork, Broccoli
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs Publix Ground Pork, the second head from the Broccoli 2 for $6.00 pair, and 12 oz pantry spaghetti for 4 people. Keep the soy sauce light and sweet with a little brown sugar.
Recipes:
- Korean Pork and Broccoli
- Pork and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Crispy Pork and Broccoli Noodles

Wednesday
Meal: Mini Ground Round Meatloaf Muffins with Ketchup Glaze, Side Salad and Apple Slices
Description: Ground Round is mixed with breadcrumbs and ketchup, pressed into a muffin tin, and baked into hand-sized mini meatloaves with a sweet ketchup top. They are served with a Fresh Attitude Salads side and crisp Granny Smith Apples slices.
Sale items used: Ground Round, Fresh Attitude Salads, Granny Smith Apples
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs Ground Round (makes about 12 muffins), 1 package from the Fresh Attitude Salads 2 for $6.00 pair, and 1.5 lbs Granny Smith Apples sliced for 4 people. Bake at 375°F for about 22 to 25 minutes.
Recipes:
- Mini Meatloaf Muffins
- Mini Meatloaf
- Easy Mini Meatloaf Muffins

Thursday
Meal: Broiled Shoulder London Broil Rice Bowls with Avocado and Tomato
Description: Shoulder London Broil is marinated in a mild soy-garlic mix, broiled, rested, and sliced thinly against the grain over warm rice. Kids build their own bowls with Hass Avocados and diced Beefsteak Tomatoes.
Sale items used: Shoulder London Broil, Hass Avocados, Beefsteak Tomatoes
Prep time: 40 minutes plus marinating
Serving note: 2 lbs Shoulder London Broil, 4 Hass Avocados, 1 lb Beefsteak Tomatoes, and about 2 cups uncooked pantry rice for 4 people. Marinate in the morning for the best texture, then broil about 5 to 6 minutes per side and rest 10 minutes before slicing thin.
Recipes:
- London Broil Salad
- Avocado-Herb London Broil

Friday
Meal: Skillet Pork Chops with Cinnamon Apples and Side Salad
Description: Publix Lean Pork Loin Boneless Chops are pan-seared just until cooked through so they stay juicy, then served with Honeycrisp Apples sautéed in butter and cinnamon. A simple Fresh Attitude Salads side rounds out the plate.
Sale items used: Publix Lean Pork Loin Boneless Chops, Honeycrisp Apples, Fresh Attitude Salads
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs Publix Lean Pork Loin Boneless Chops, 1 lb Honeycrisp Apples, and the second package from the Fresh Attitude Salads 2 for $6.00 pair for 4 people. Cook the chops about 4 to 5 minutes per side and avoid overcooking since this is a lean cut.
Recipes:
- Cinnamon-Apple Pork Chops
- Cinnamon Apple Pork Chops
- Cast Iron Pork Chops with Apples

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Publix Chicken Drumsticks (3 lbs): $5.97
- Broccoli (2 for $6.00, x1 pair): $6.00
- Publix Ground Pork (1.5 lbs): $5.24
- Ground Round (1.5 lbs): $10.49
- Fresh Attitude Salads (2 for $6.00, x1 pair): $6.00
- Granny Smith Apples (1.5 lbs): $2.99
- Shoulder London Broil (2 lbs): $15.98
- Hass Avocados (4): $3.96
- Beefsteak Tomatoes (1 lb): $1.99
- Publix Lean Pork Loin Boneless Chops (2 lbs): $11.98
- Honeycrisp Apples (1 lb): $2.49

Pantry staples needed:
- Long-grain rice
- Spaghetti
- Plain breadcrumbs
- Ketchup
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Cinnamon
- Salt and black pepper
- Ranch dressing for the salads (optional)