hmmm...one I usually do is
make a chicken stock
saute uncooked rice and pasta in olive oil
put the rice/pasta mix in the stock, along with a couple of cans of corn
simmer until it's casserole consistency.
Kind of a homemade Rice-a-Roni type thing, with no preservatives or gunk. And the corn gives you a bonus veggie without adding another dish to heat up
throw in some homemade biscuits (4 c. s/r flour, a glob of shortening the size of a really big egg, 2c. buttermilk.)
No, I didn't grow up Southern. Really.
ETA: don't throw the biscuits in the casserole. I meant throw in as in 'bring with'. Just to clear up any confusion!