Peas on the side because they're ltc's favorite vegetable, but she won't eat them if they're mixed in. But I did used to mix in all sorts of green vegetables before I had to cook for a child. My Mac and cheese is more of an Italian cheese sauce than a Southern Mac and cheese.

I have never had peas in Mac and cheese. I have liked them in tuna casserole. Sadly the only thing of that list I can still eat are cheese, tuna, and white sauce.

I have never had tuna casserole but Italian tuna in oil in a red sauce is a go to in my family.

I think I was approaching hoarder status - I'd lived the same apartment for 34 years and I don't think I ever got rid of anything.

It's difficult to get rid of stuff when you don't have a car, so I would cut yourself some slack. I've only been to your house once, but it don't remember it feeling particularly cluttered. Of course, I'm a bit of a packrat myself (lives in a 2 bedroom apartment with 5 closets that are all full and there is still stuff stacked in the guest bathroom.)

Peas or no peas? (I've found that people have extremely strong feelings about peas in mac & cheese, on the level of the Miracle Whip vs mayo debate.)

HERESY!!! (as is Miracle Whip). I also am anti peas in pasta carbonara (which also should not have cream).

In conclusion,

I feel strongly about food.

Yes peas in tuna noodle casserole, no peas in Mac&cheese. Also, feed frozen peas to ducks instead of bread. Bread is bad for them. Also, bags of frozen peas are excellent to apply to sprains, or in our case to a balky thermostat to get the heat to come on. Yay, peas!

I am militant about accumulating things. But my hoarder tendencies sneak things in anyway. I *hate* cleaning out closets and corners and under-beds, etc. HATE. Which motivates me to keep those areas clear, even if "we can just store this for a couple weeks until I can get to it" because you know whatever it is will grow roots and become one with the surface it's left on. And still, and still. Stuff accrues.

Yes peas in tuna noodle casserole, no peas in Mac&cheese.

Indeed.

Todd, I hope you find things you think are gone in surprising places.

I actually have never really had tuna noodle casserole. Just not something my mother ever made, and people seem to regard it as a staple, just not a particularly good one.

I think I've tasted it though, it had potato chips on top?

My mother never made tuna noodle casserole, either. A college friend made it for me, and I liked it fine.

There's mac & cheese that I will make on the stovetop and maybe stir in a can of tuna and maybe add frozen peas to make a one pot dinner (that I will eat directly out of the pot) and there's mac and cheese that I bake in the oven and that would not get peas added to it.

No peas in mac & cheese. My eyes have been recently opened to the inclusion of small amounts of pulled pork and BBQ sauce, however.

Matt, that sounds awesome

Tuna noodle casserole is basically gloop plus noodles plus tuna, baked. Homemade white sauce gloop is superior to condensed cream of mushroom soup. I never had potato chips on top, but occasionally bread crumbs. My mom added olives. I added peas. My BFF made a version with broccoli and blue cheese dressing. I also liked it served with sour cream.

I should add that I also love creamed tuna on toast and tuna melts, so I must really love warm tuna. Also my grandma who cooked for me was a depression era cook who did not enjoy it and wasn't great at it so this was much better than roast beef cooked to shoe leather texture with a side of mushy broccoli and instant mashed potatoes. That was the good meal, followed by roast beef sandwiches, then roast beef pieces in brown gravy over bread, then roast beef hash.