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?

Shrugs we only eat meat once a week (partly budget partly because I don't like it very much) and so by those standards I only eat a real meal once a week! I don't live on pasta anyway but even most jar sauces have added veggies in them, put a bit of grated cheese on top and bingo.

My evening meals are often beans on toast, a quick pitta with salad and some cheese in, or a jacket potato (usually with cheese and spinach ) It bemuses me how many of the people with whom I work, are constantly talking/thinking about their evening meal to come. It's just food and as long as you are getting protein some days and fruit/veg most days... that's fine.. it tends to balance out!

Ah, you just mean it hasn't got meat in it, because really, the only basic difference between spaghetti bolognese and a good tomato sauce is the meat.

Italians aren't the only ones to eat pasta, either. Things like noodles are also actually pasta - so do they not count as a proper meal either unless they contain meat?
And there is a whole variety of other pastas made with eg potato in the dough, so even more filling, served with very basic ingredients eg cabbage, a little cheese etc common throughout europe.

So yes, YABU.

LOL at the idea that non meat meals don't have any protein.

"I'm more of a Seeds of Change out the jar kinda gal!"

Chip on your shoulder much? I don't think anyone's claiming it's some big whup to make a pan of tomato sauce, but bully for you for keeping it real.

It's a proper meal to me. I normally feel satisfied after pasta and a sauce whether it's a tomato one or cheese one. And you have to think of it in the context of what else you've eaten that day or even that week. Not every meal needs protein.

catlovingdoctor
Everyone always goes on about how it's sooo easy and filling and nice but it has no protein

The protein content of the sauce will obviously vary, but the pasta itself contains protein (albeit not a 'complete' protein). Durham wheat spaghetti in my cupboard has 12.3 g protein per 100g (uncooked).

Pasta and Pasta sauce is a meal, When the children were at home they used to love that meal and DH and I still have it sometimes. I sometimes put extra vegetables in it and always serve it with cheese available for anyone who wants to put some on top.

My mum once fell out with me because I wanted to order macaroni and cheese in a restaurant and she said it wasn't a proper meal.

But I'd agree that pasta with a jar of sauce is just junk food and not a proper meal.

Yes- a junk meal. Pasta does contain proteien, but not the full compliment that the addition of pulses or meat would have.

Italians ( in my family) would look on pasta with tomato sauce as a starter or snack, not a proper meal.

Also jarred sauce is rank and best avoided at all costs.

Pasta with tomato sauce would no way excite me. Every mouthful is the same. There is no change in texture. It's boring and repetitive.

My dc love it, I make a sauce for them once a week, usually a friday, and they have it on pasta with cheese. They also have pasta pesto. I would never choose to eat either of those things. I have always considered them 'plain kids food'!

I'm not saying I'm right and you're all wrong, I'm saying I'm with you OP!

you are used to meat thats why you think that me personally im ok with pasta and sauce i like lloyd grossman sauces

It's one of my faves because it's quick and easy - I tend to have it when I've been running or to the gym

Pasta, sauce, veg - tiny bit of cheese on top - fills me up nicely

YABU. Your ideas of what are not proper meals are outdated too.

pasta contains protein people. (approx 10gs /100 gs, which is a pretty normal serving). Just thought I'd point that out. Wheat contains protein, so pasta (and bread) does too.
I'd probably add a bit of cheese on the top (any excuse), but yeah, pasta and sauce is a 'proper' meal.

The way the British cook pasta and tomato sauce is rank because they use too much sauce, if it's homemade it's too acid, if it's out of a jar it's too sweet and artificial tasting.

But yes, OnlyLovers, Italians would eat a small bowl of pasta and something as their first course, then a small piece of meat or fish with vegetables or salad as their second course.

Poor buggers. If only someone would let them have a turkey twizzler.

antumbra it isn't neccesary to eat all 9 essential amino acids in one meal.
People are so precious about food on this forum.

people on here are obsessed with protein/low carbing
I'm not fat
I don't need to do the low carb thing
I can fit in a pasta based meal a couple of times a week without becoming obese or malnourished.

although when I saw the thread title, i thought of pasta n sauce, which I haven't had since my student days and now really, really fancy.

I don't find it a proper meal, either. Bunch of carbs unless it has lentils or beans in it. Or meat or fish. Would fill me up for about 5 minutes.

Depends on the sauce. Pasta, veg based sauce plus cheese is a complete meal with plenty of protein.

Pasta does contain protein. I spent 26 years of my life being vegan and I ate a lot of pasta with aubergine and tomato sauce.... totally delicious and filling. Sometimes I admit I would add red lentils to it to build up the protein content but certainly nutritious enough on its own..

Every meal doesn't need to tick all the food groups!

I'd rather have Pasta and sauce, plus steak, chicken and fish any day.

But er sometimes can't be arsed.

People serve it because it's very boring having to think of 14 "proper meals" each week (exc breakfasts) that cover every food group every time. You judge a diet on what you eat in a week or month, anyway, rather than a day or a meal.

I come from a culture that views anyone being able to move for an hour after a meal with deep suspicion, either the cook is poor or the guest is being offensive. Pasta with a sauce, hardly even a snack unless it has been set in heavy cream.

My son eats pasta without sauce. Nothing, nada, zip! Just plain,boiled pasta!
( If he's feeling adventurous, he will add grated cheese!)