Photos are snapped right before we dig in and no fancy food photography is allowed. Dinners around here are never complicated and below you’ll see a mix of air fryer meals, simple grain bowls, a cottage cheese bowl (don’t knock it ’til ya try it) and a family-friendly lasagna recipe we all love. It’s my hope that at least one of our meals below will pop out at you and give you some dinner time inspiration the next time you’re trying to figure out what to make at the end of a long day.
Week of Weeknight Meals: April 2025
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Monday: Air Fryer Salmon, Easy Cucumber Salad and Brown Rice
Monday is a big activity day for the boys (karate for Ryder and piano for Chase) so simple meals always win out. Air fryer salmon came together quickly — I cooked it at 400 for 12 minutes after sprinkling it with garlic salt and dill — and served it with cucumber salad and rice. If you’re ever in a time crunch and need a simple side dish, keep a cucumber salad on your radar because it could not be any easier when you make it this way: Very thinly slice cucumber (I use my rotary grater), toss with your favorite ginger dressing (I love Makoto dressing and I find it at Publix) and top with everything bagel seasoning. It’s a go-to for me when I’m short on time because it’s incredibly easy to make and tastes great.
On the boys’ plates: Shrimp, cucumber slices, pineapple, whole wheat toast with butter and honey
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Tuesday: Teriyaki Chicken Thighs with Ginger Sesame Broccoli and Brown Rice
Tuesday night’s dinner was another simple one and included teriyaki chicken I marinated and then cooked in the air fryer, leftover rice and the ginger sesame broccoli I love so much I swear it makes me want to eat five pounds of broccoli.
On the boys’ plates: Quesadillas, broccoli, bell pepper slices, blueberries
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Wednesday: Lasagna
I’ve slowly been tweaking my latest lasagna recipe and think I just about have it at a place where I am ready to share it with you guys! It’s packed with protein thanks to cottage cheese and lean ground beef and also incorporates some hidden veggies. Stay tuned for this one soon because I’ve been making it weekly for our family and we all love it.
On the boys’ plates: Lasagna, green beans, strawberries
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Thursday: Whipped Cottage Cheese Bowl with Chicken and Roasted Carrots and Onions
Okay, hear me out on this one. I first began making whipped cottage cheese bowls a while ago after I saw Juli of PaleOMG share her rendition on Instagram. (Here’s her version.) Something about the creamy texture of whipped cottage cheese makes it the perfect base for a protein-packed dinner bowl. I just whipped the cottage cheese directly in its container using an immersion blender and topped it with roasted carrots and onions, chicken I seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder and coarse sea salt and then cooked in the air fryer, cilantro from our garden and sweet chili sauce. Don’t skip the sauce if you replicate this one because it makes it all come together so well and adds the perfect hint of sweetness with a little heat.
On the boys’ plates: Applegate organic chicken nuggets with ketchup, carrots, clementines
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Friday: Steak with Carrot and Apple Slaw (Dinner #1) + Chick-fil-A (Dinner #2)
Dinner on Friday night took place in two parts due to a semi-late soccer game for Chase. Around 5 p.m., we had part one of our dinner which looked like steak served on top of the leftover carrot and apple slaw I prepped to have with my lunches during the week. (It seriously pairs so well with a variety of proteins so I never get sick of it.) Part two took place several hours later around 8:30 p.m once the soccer game was over and looked like Chick-fil-A nuggets for all of us along with a couple of frosted lemonades we ordered to share.
On the boys’ plates: Hot dog, carrot and apple slaw, apple slices, toast with butter and honey (Dinner #1) + Chick-fil-A nuggets and frosted lemonade (Dinner #2)
Question of the Day
What was the best thing you ate for dinner last week? Any new must-try recipes to share? Bonus points if they’re easy and healthy!
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I love seeing your week of meals! What air fryer do you have? I think it is about time I finally get one. lol
I have the Instant Pot Vortex Mini! I loveee it but as the boys get bigger, I may need a large larger one because it really only cooks enough for two people at a time. Just something to consider depending on your household needs!
By far my favorite posts! Got to try that Makato dressing!
I’m so glad you like them!!
Do you have the recipe to share for the teriyaki marinade you use for the chicken thighs?
For this one I actually used a bottle of premade teriyaki sauce I bought at Whole Foods and it worked great!
Love that you include what your boys actually ate!!! I see all these meals and feel bad i am often making my picky kids something different than what my husband and i eat. So thank you for showing reality!!!
ohhh yes!!! i felt the same way you did for the longest time when other people would share their kids’ meals. in an ideal world, our means would all be identical but they’re certainly not over here!
Hello Julie,
Can you link the lasagna recipe please?
Hi Lesley! I haven’t typed it up yet but hope to have it on the blog again soon!