AIBU to think pasta and sauce isn't a proper meal?

[catlovingdoctor]

Everyone always goes on about how it's sooo easy and filling and nice but it has no protein; it isn't filling, it's just stodge with a bit of flavouring...I mean I'd eat it if I was hungry but AIBU to think it isn't really a proper, filling meal?

Italians seem to manage?

Yabu

It is a meal just with no meat. I must admit I dont feel full if my dinner has no meat in it though.

^

Depends on the sauce, surely

Italians eat other things too (unless they're mid-C20 grindingly poor Italians, I suppose).

My pasta sauce has loads of veg in it then with cheese on top it's definitely a proper meal

Erm? What sauce do you put on yours? Daddies?

Depends on sauce. It could contain protein, veg,inerals etc. all depends on the sauce.

Not every single meal has to include protein.

Is risotto a meal? A non-protein sandwich? Jacket potato and salad?

YABU.

If its just a jar of sauce and some boiled pasta then well...its not brilliant but it could be worse.

But my pasta sauces are usually made from scratch and have lots of goodness in them. They have either meat, tuna or cheese, but in a pinch a plain good vegetable-y sauce does them no harm, so YABU.

Of course it is. Do you need protein every time you eat?

Might not be a "proper meal" bit its quick, rather filling and actually tastes alright. Great for those days when I will and truly can't be arsed.
which is most days

yabu!

Don't tell dd that, it's her favourite dinner!

There is protein in pasta ....

Depends what kind of sauce, surely? My usual "pasta sauce" has onions, garlic, mushrooms, mince, tomatoes, tomato puree, and other odd bits of veg can be added, depending on who's eating it.

Of course Italians eat other things, I didn't say otherwise.

Boy, those Italians are going to be pissed off when they find out they've been short changed all this time.

Of course it's a proper meal, objectively speaking. Whether you consider it a proper meal is up to you. it's not what I'd describe as a nutritious or 'well rounded' meal though.

Define "a proper meal"

It is. Add veg, meat anything you want. Great quick meal!

I don't think fresh pasta is stodgy it's light.
I love pasta and a quick sauce as a meal, but I guess all the Italians I know do normally only have it for a starter at home. Really depends on the sauce I guess. I do an awesome thing with salmon and courgette.

Even the quickest and easiest sauces can contain protein. I often just fry bacon and garlic with some fresh tomatoes and torn up mozerella.

Of course there is a fair bit of protein in pasta.

But I do remember being torn to bits on MN before for saying pesto pasta was no more a balanced meal than chips and ketchup.

To be fair the sauce is usually just tomato..but my friend makes this big pasta bake thing with a cheesy sauce and even that isn't very filling, plus he serves it with salad..

To be honest a jacket potato and salad without something protein-based isn't a proper meal, imho. I just wouldn't be full up with it.

Also confused as to how you can call the same thing stodge and say you don't find it filling?