(Feeds three hungry humans — even a picky eight-year-old!)

Ingredients & Cost Snapshot

Item	Amount Used	Cost for Amount Used*
Skinless salmon fillets	3 fillets (≈ 1 lb 2 oz total)	$10.32 (1.125 lb @ $9.18/lb) financebuzz.com
Marketside organic broccoli florets	12-oz bag	$3.77 walmart.com
Extra-virgin olive oil	≈ 4 ½ Tbsp (2.25 fl oz)	$1.60 (@ $0.71/oz) thrivemarket.com
Bob Evans 32-oz mashed potatoes	½ of tub (≈ 16 oz)	$2.90 (full tub $5.79) kroger.com
McCormick brown-gravy packet	1 packet	$0.99 amazon.com
Sea-salt & pepper grinders + smoked paprika	pantry staples	~ $0.10
Estimated meal total		≈ $19.68 (about $6.56 per plate)

* Prices are national averages pulled June 2025 and will wiggle a bit by store or sale.

• Yield: 3 servings
• Prep time: 10 min
• Cook time: 22 min
• Total time: 32 min
• Cost per serving: $6.56

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Step-by-Step

1. Roasted, extra-crispy broccoli
   • Heat oven → 400 °F.
   • Line sheet pan with parchment paper (crispy magic).
   • Dump entire 12-oz bag of broccoli, trim ends, chop the larger crowns smaller for extra crunch.
   • Drizzle 2–3 Tbsp EVOO, two twists each of sea-salt & black pepper, toss.
   • Roast 18–22 min, flipping once at the 10-min mark.
2. Mashed-potato shortcut
   • Microwave 32 oz of the Bob Evans tub per package directions. (If only feeding three, you will have leftovers)
   • Tip: Stir in a splash of milk + pat of butter for luxe texture if you have the time.
   • Prefer a thriftier route? Idahoan Instant runs ~$3.99 for a 24-oz family pouch — still feeds three with change to spare. amazon.com
3. Air-fryer salmon (kid-approved crispy ends)
   • While broccoli roasts, pre-heat air fryer → 400 °F.
   • Pat three thawed fillets dry. Rub each with ~½ Tbsp EVOO, a pinch of sea-salt & pepper, then a light all-over dusting of smoked paprika.
   • Bonus safety check: feel for sneaky pin bones as you season.
   • Air-fry 10–12 min. Ends will crisp up beautifully — perfect “nuggets” for the picky eater.
4. Five-minute gravy & plate-up
   • Whisk McCormick packet with 1 cup water, microwave 3 min, stirring every 1 minute mark.
   • Hide veggie powder or liquid vitamins in the gravy if needed.
   • Set the table while everything finishes. Serve salmon corners to the picky eater, heap broccoli and mashed potatoes, spoon gravy over potatoes (or everything, we don’t judge).

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Meal Math in Real Life

• Total cost ≈ $19.68
• Per-person ≈ $6.56 — cheaper than most drive-thru kids’ meals and you control every ingredient.
• Leftovers: half a tub of mashed potatoes + a smear of gravy = tomorrow’s shepherd’s-pie starter.

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Enjoy the crispy-end salmon victory — and the fact your whole dinner cost less than a single restaurant entrée!