I used to do a lot of pasta, but I stumbled upon a master recipe that works so damn well. It's based on chicken rice, which is a dish seen... Basically everywhere? This is all by weight:

• 1 part meat
• 2 parts veggies
• 2 parts rice/pasta
• 5 parts water
• Season to taste

You only need 4 parts water, but I find the rice comes out better with 5.

I have yet to find a combination that tastes bad. Some things to try:

For jambalaya use half sausage, half chicken for the meat, then use a mix of onion+green bell pepper+celery for the veg. Brown the meat, throw the veg in until it's soft, then throw the rice and water in.

Toast the rice first! Don't wash it if you do or it won't toast right. Oil in a pan over medium heat until the rice is brown.

Most commonly I use spam as the meat, since I don't always have chicken on hand. Usually have to undersalt it for this.

Overall I use peas and carrots most for the veggies, since they come really small. Broccoli also works.

Use frozen veggies! They taste fine, they're just as nutritious as fresh, and they save a lot of time

Season salt (any kind, I use Tony Chacheres) is an amazing thing.

If you want a side with it I usually do Greek yogurt+fruit. Ton of protein (helps keep you full longer, great if you can't snack on the job), plus some fiber from the fruit. I use fruit canned in juice for it. Just strain the fruit first. A small can of fruit in a pound of yogurt is how much I do. Put it into containers and you're done!