Who here eats macaroni & cheese, rice, or pasta as a meal unto itself?

[NewWaveChick1981]

I'm not chastising anyone for doing that---I just don't understand it myself. I have never, ever seen macaroni & cheese as a meal, just as a side dish. The same thing goes for pasta and rice.

Just wondering. :)

[RebelOne]

1. Yum! I love macaroni and cheese as just a meal.

In fact, after eating it, I'm too full for anything else.

[NewWaveChick1981]

11. I know a lot of people who do.

:)

[Porcupine]

26. I add frozen peas and serve it as a meal.

Use about a half lb. of frozen peas, thaw w/hot tap water and toss in with the noodles in the last three minutes of cooking. If you're feeling rich add a can of tuna to the above.

The kids cannot get around the peas no matter how they try. Now they love it.

[SoyCat]

41. I like to add broccoli, cauliflower, red bell pepper, and mushrooms that have been stir-fried

with garlic to mine. I think it equals a meal.

[AllegroRondo]

2. "I dont know why they call it Hamburger Helper.."

"it does just fine on its own."


During my single days, I would gladly make a box of mac and cheese for a meal.

[NewWaveChick1981]

12. LOL!

:rofl: I love that movie...:P

[buddhamama]

3. me

all the time. i jazz up the pasta with veggies. i am not a big fan of red sauce so i usually make an alfredo or dress the pasta with garlic, olive oil and herbs.
i don't eat mac & cheese out of a box though, home made is the only way to go.

[NewWaveChick1981]

13. Sounds good...

:9

[billyskank]

33. Can I cook pasta for you some time?

As well as Indian? :hi:

(Not on the same day) ;)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear NewWaveChick!

When I was growing up, my mom always had mac and cheese as a meatless alternative to a main dish.....

Plus a salad or other veggies......

So I have always seen it as an entree..........not a side!

I guess it largely depends on what you were exposed to as a child...

:hi:

:hug:

[NewWaveChick1981]

15. My mom always used it as a side, which is I guess why I see it that

way even now. :) But it's not a problem at all....:hi:

[Nikia]

65. That's how it was when I was growing up

Mac and Cheese was a main dish, probably because it was fairly cheap and contained lots of calories.

[flvegan]

5. During any other week, this would be PRIME flamebait.

Popcorn smilies like amber waves of grain.

[NewWaveChick1981]

16. LOL! I certainly didn't intend it as such.

:) I was just curious. I know there are a lot of vegans and vegetarians here, and I know they depend on pasta and rice for sustenance. I was just looking for a different perspective. I just prefer fewer starches, I guess. :)

[flvegan]

27. Not from the veg* folks

but from those that take an aside to such grand culinary decisions. You know...fried chicken/corn flakes, Olive Garden...

[Jamastiene]

6. I'd say as a snack, yes, as a meal, no.

Sometimes, I will add broccoli to the macaroni while it is cooking, then add cheese to the whole conglomeration when I drain it. I usually use it as a side dish though or a snack, not in place of a meal. My mother thinks pasta and cheese are all you need to live. :eyes:

[NewWaveChick1981]

17. Oh, OK.

:) Sounds like a good way to do it!

[Jamastiene]

31. It's pretty easy and makes a great snack sometimes.

All I change to the directions from a regular box of Kraft macaroni and cheese is that I take the frozen broccoli spears and put them in during the boiling the macaroni step along with a tiny pinch of salt extra to offset the flavor loss that can happen. I then add the cheese, milk, and butter or margarine just like normal and add one slice of regular cheese to add a little extra cheese flavor. I swear that if they had the Kraft Mac n cheese powdered cheddar cheese available right by itself, I'd buy some for other dishes or when I was in the mood for double cheese. If that was the case, I might just add some ham bits in there too and call it a meal. Yummy.

[QMPMom]

50. I've seen it in the store before.

It's in a blue can like the green Kraft parm cheese is in a green one.

[Jamastiene]

60. Really?

I'll have to check that out and see if I can find some. I imagine my next quiche will have an extra ingredients sprinkled on top of it. Thanks for the tip on it. :hi:

[Phillycat]

7. Clearly you've never been poor. nt

[NewWaveChick1981]

10. Oh, yes I have.

:) But I still only used it as a side dish with veggies and (when I could afford it) meat.

[Phillycat]

23. On the side of what? Veggies?

Were you considering the veggies your main course and the rice your side course?

[NewWaveChick1981]

28. Yes.

:) It's good that way.

[Bridget Burke]

8. Mac & cheese occasionally---but pasta is a great meal!

Heavy sauce is not needed. Heat some garlic in olive oil, add bits of tomato, nuts, vegetables (leftovers OK), whatever. Toss with freshly cooked pasta. Cheese? Yes, please!

Or rice with "mix-ins."

Or a baked potato....

[NewWaveChick1981]

18. Cool!

:hi:

[fizzgig]

9. all the time

red beans and rice is one of my staples, as is egg noodles with garlic and broccoli.

[NewWaveChick1981]

19. Sounds yummy!

:hi:

[Lowell]

14. I can live on short grained brown rice

it is the perfect food. It is good alone or with beans.

[NewWaveChick1981]

20. :)

:hi:

[Lowell]

40. Hi NWC!

After nearly seven years living in Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan I learned to really love brown rice. Especially with pumkin seed soup, cabbage and beans. Nothing smells better than a fresh pot of rice.

[bif]

21. Pasta with butter, salt & pepper

Same with rice. I know it sounds sick, but it's a favorite lunch on a cold afternoon. Especially when my SO isn't around to reminf me what a shitty meal it is.

[SacredCow]

22. All of the above!

In my poor college days, a 59-cent box of mac and cheese was a good meal. And every so often, out of nostalgia, I'll meet up with some of my old roommates and we'll have a meal of remembrance. Of course, we substitute good beer for the Pabst and Milwaukee's Best!

[Anarcho-Socialist]

24. I have done so twice (macaroni cheese)

A matter of desperation for a student trying live cheaply.

[BreweryYardRat]

25. I eat rice and pasta as meals occasionally.

Hell, I fix prepackaged rice for breakfast quite a bit.

[Burma Jones]

29. Mac and Cheese....and Rice Pudding...are my favorite Comfort foods

not Kraft Mac and Cheese mind you....the real soul food, southern comfort food......Goes great with greens.

[Porcupine]

70. It'sa nice day for a........................Rice Pudding!!!

I sing "rice pudding" to the tune of "White Wedding."

"Rice Pudding"- apologies to Billy Idol

Hey little sister what have you done
Hey little sister who's the only one
Hey little sister who's your superman
Hey little sister who's the one you want
Hey little sister shot gun!

It's a nice day to start again
It's a nice day for a Rice Pudding
It's a nice day to start again.

Hey little sister who is your with
Hey little sister what's your vice and wish?
Hey little sister shot gun (oh yeah)
Hey little sister who's your superman
Hey little sister shot gun!

It's a nice day to start again (come on)
It's a nice day for a Rice Pudding
It's a nice day to start again.

(Pick it up)

Take me back home

Hey little sister what have you done
Hey little sister who's the only one
I've been away for so long (so long)
I've been away for so long (so long)
I let you go for so long

It's a nice day to start again (come on)
It's a nice day for a Rice Pudding
It's a nice day to start again.

There is nothin' fair in this world
There is nothin' safe in this world
And there's nothin' sure in this world
And there's nothin' pure in this world
Look for something left in this world
Start again

Come on
It's a nice day for a Rice Pudding
It's a nice day to start again.
It's a nice day for a Rice Pudding
It's a nice day to start again

[LibertyLover]

30. My 4 year old daughter

can make a meal of plain steamed rice and be completely happy. Of course, she is from China and rice or noodles are a comfort food to her. I'm sure in the 16 months between the time she was born and abandoned and when we got her, rice or noodles was her only meal. She particularly loves Rice-a-roni, because it combines rice and noodles. If we have that or mac and cheese at dinner, we can pretty much count on her not to eat anything else. I can and have eaten just mac and cheese or fried rice as a meal.

[billyskank]

32. Pasta yes - so long as it has a yummy sauce on it

Although I will take it with some garlic bread and grated cheese too if that is available.

Rice on its own - no, I would only do that if there was nothing except rice to eat.

:hi:

[Bullwinkle925]

34. My first thought was - "Who doesn't" - but I guess you answered that.

I love making mac & cheese with salad for dinner. Don't need much more than that - well, ok - a glass of wine always adds to it!!

[1gobluedem]

35. Mac and cheese has always been a meal in my family

Never a side dish. Until I learned about soul food I never even realized it was an option.

[William Bloode]

36. Had to do it many times.

Being poor sometimes you have to eat cheap. All of the above are cheap, tasty, and filling.

[Left Is Write]

37. I would, except...

I only take my macaroni and cheese in very small doses these days (homemade, and it's just too yummy to risk eating too much).

But certainly I could make a meal of many dishes traditionally served as just sides.

Speaking of the macaroni and cheese, I did just make some the other night. Today for lunch, my daughter had leftover macaroni and cheese and a slice of pumpkin bread.

[bertha katzenengel]

38. I used to.

I shudder now to think what I was doing to my body. :scared:

[BarenakedLady]

39. Oh I would

and I do. Sometimes it is all my kids will eat.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

42. You're kidding, right?

I'm sure if they ever do an autopsy on me they'll discover 5000 tons of macaroni and cheese coating my intestines. I could literally eat it (as a meal) every day!

[Reverend_Smitty]

43. In college I did it all the time

a box of Rice-a-Roni costs like 60 cents and was good for 2 meals...gotta love the cheap eats!

[cwydro]

44. Oh yes, love it as a meal

I do the same as Porcupine and add peas frequently. I like any pasta just by itself.

[Broken_Hero]

45. rice as a main dish

but it usually has onions, mushrooms, a touch of soy sauce, and chicken tibits mixed in....:)

[liontamer]

46. umm most of the world?

admittedly the rice and pasta often have things mixed in( e.g. beans, meat sauce, seafood), but yes these things constitue a meal.

[liontamer]

47. umm most of the world?

admittedly the rice and pasta often have things mixed in( e.g. beans, meat sauce, seafood), but yes these things constitue a meal.

[liontamer]

48. delete dupe

[idgiehkt]

58. true, very Mediterranean and Asian.

I never much liked mac and cheese, at least not the prefab kind that comes in a box.

[liontamer]

71. as well as south america and africa

but boxed powder cheese will probably never be considered the height of haute cuisine ;)

[China_cat]

49. You wouldn't want anything else with our mac & cheese

At least 4 kinds of cheese, sour cream, fresh chives out of the garden. It doesn't take much to fill you up but it tastes SOOOOO good.

Sometimes all I want is just plain macaroni with a bit of butter, pepper and chives or plain rice.

[ceile]

51. Rice and blk beans

Can't beat it. Also, add some chicken or tuna to any kind of "box" pasta and you have a meal. Great for poor college kids! Heck, I STILL eat it sometimes.

[6000eliot]

52. Macaroni and cheese and rice I eat as a meal,

but I'm on a diet and therefore off pasta. But I'm a vegetarian, so I have to ask, side to what?

[SOteric]

53. Me.

Not all the time, mind you. But now and again, just a bowl of fluffy white Basmati really hits the spot. Or some buttered farfalle.

Usually I have a balanced combination of vegetables, grains, starches and proteins. Maybe a glass of wine and a piece of fruit for dessert. But sometimes I just want an unvarnished carb-fest.

[bigwillq]

54. I had rice and meatloaf yesterday.

I cut up the meatloaf into little pieces and poured olive oil, salt and pepper over it and then put it in a bowl of white rice.

:bounce:

[youthere]

74. OMG that sounds so GOOD!

*wipes drool off keyboard*

[One_Life_To_Give]

55. Mrs. OLTG Does

Which usually has me thinking, where is the main course.

Macaroni with Soy Cheese or Pasta with Marinara. Seems to be missing something.

[u4ic]

56. Not since I was a kid

I eat a lot of vegetables, and also like a variety of food at my meal.

Occasionally, I'll make a stir fry with brown rice, lots of veggies and perhaps some meat or tofu, and that will be my full meal.

Even if I'm having pasta, I need a salad or some veggies other than what's in my pasta sauce. :hi:

[bikebloke]

57. Bike Trekking Emergency Meal

On long bike tours, a box of macaroni & cheese is light to carry in case you can't get to a store along the way. As long as you have your cooker and water, you've got a meal. Though I didn't always wait for an emergency. When the box had grown schmooshed up up enough in my panniers, I'd eat it, then buy another.

Now, I might eat it once or twice a year.

[atomic-fly]

59. I prefer mac and cheese and not dogs...

but will eat it alone.

[tinfoil tiaras]

61. Meeeee!!

I'm fixin some mac N cheese for dinner right now! :hi:

[lildreamer316]

62. Me..

because liltoddler LOVES mac & cheese; and when feeding him I usually split the pot with him.

[NewWaveChick1981]

63. OK, so obviously LOTS of people do...

:) I'm just not one of them. Call me weird, but I'd rather have black beans or red beans than pasta, mac & cheese, or plain rice. I love long grain & wild rice, but just as a side dish....:yoiks:

[Book Lover]

64. You haven't had the pasta at our house!

The capellini alone will fill you up, nevermind the sauce and bread that go with it.

[Rabrrrrrr]

66. I often have a bowl of rice for breakfast, sometimes for lunch

With some furikake on it.

[Human Torch]

67. All three, regularly, and damned...proud...of...it.

I made the special homemade mac 'n' cheese three days ago:

8 oz. uncooked elbow macaroni, 1 can Campbell's Cheddar Cheese Soup, 1 soup can milk, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, Progresso Plain Bread Crumbs, paprika.

Preheat oven to 350. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain. Combine soup, milk, and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese in a saucepan on medium heat until blended. Stir occasionally. Add drained pasta to cheese mixture in a 9x9 glass baking dish sprayed with "Pam" non-stick cooking spray. Top with remaining cheese. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Sprinkle paprika over all. Cook for 30 minutes in oven. Let stand 5 minutes. Serve it up and understand why PEOPLE EAT MACARONI & CHEESE AS A MEAL UNTO ITSELF!

:toast:

[Kat45]

68. Yup. Tonight I had rice with peppers. And yogurt.

That was dinner. Sometimes I have just macaroni & cheese for dinner. The single-serving microwavable kind.

[RevolutionaryActs]

69. Mmmm home made mac and cheese.

:homer drool:


Wait, I'm sorry, what was the qestion?

[querelle]

72. Kraft Mac & Cheese

One of my favourite indulgences. Here in Canada we call it Vitamin K or Yellow Death, depending on your perspective. It's not something I would eat everyday, because I make it with butter and heavy cream. But every once in a while, I love it. Real comfort food for me.

Q

[SmileyBoy]

73. HELL YEAH BITCH!!!

All college students do!!!:):):)

[youthere]

75. Yep..all the time..

When I was a kid we ate TONS of mac and cheese (not the box kind,homemade). We also ate plenty of buttered macaroni with a vegetable thrown in. I love plain old pasta, rice or any other grain. No butter. No salt. Just smack 'er into a bowl and let me at it. My favorite lunch is a bowl of plain old pasta (or rice or bulgar or quinoa or barley) and throw some canned white beans on it (or any leftover veggies or meat from the night before). My husband of course, finds this repulsive.
On a cold rainy or snowy day though, there is NOTHING in the world like sitting down to a huge plate of gooey cheesy clog-your-arteries- macaroni and cheese...fresh out of the oven with a yummy crumb topping.MMMMMMMM

[BarenakedLady]

76. Of course

It is a staple with my kids