MRE's?

If you just want fuel, you can go with non-refrigerated stuff like PB&J (I eat it right out of the jar and don't need bread), cookies, crackers and some cheeses (Baby Bels are great since they are individually wax wrapped) lots of Pringles (good for salt replacement!) Also Prego makes "Ready Foods"--they are shelf stable in plastic bags and if you stick one on your dashboard for a few hours you can have a hot meal! The fettucine alfredo is yummy! I use one of those shiny reflectors to block my windshield and it works like a solar oven in the daytime if you pop the food between the glass and the reflector.

Suebhunny-
I used to be the queen of festy cookery. Had a restaurant quality free standing two burner propane stove. I even cooked crab legs once for 10 people! But as I get older I've valued the simplicity of minimalist camping and the stove was the first casualty. Becoming a vegetarian definitely has made it easy to ditch the stove. I usually splurge one meal a day on festy food and nibble the rest of the day.

You are makin me hongry....

We have a large group. Breakfast is really the only time we are all approximately there. Sharing a meal is so much more than fueling up. It is, in my opinion, integral to the experience. We divide chores up between us so no single person or group is responsible for too much. We generally also bring some easy to prep mid day food. We are however looking at ways to scale back because we ALWAYS over do it.

We keep it upscale basic. Although I agree a good breakfast is nice, I don't like to cook elaborately while camping, so we do oatmeal and fruit for breakfast. Anything other than boiling water is more cleanup than I care for. We bring lots of hi-end lunch stuff that can take light refrigeration. Sandwich makings, fancy sausage, good cheese, hummus, almonds, good chocolate, etc. Then we just accept that we will eat dinner from the vendors. I find their prices non-extortionate and the fare is pretty tasty. As for cheap non-refrigerated food, I usually go with beans and rice mixes, indian masala pouches, beef stew in a can, spam (FU if you don't like it), PB&J, hummus again (doesn't really need refrigeration), summer sausage/cured meats, hard cheeses, baguettes, olives. Basically you can look fancy by eating like a European since they are set up for low refrigeration.

ignore all previous posts. MRE's are awesome time and space savers. good fuel and not terrible taste. no refrigeration required. i used to be able to get 6 for $20. mediocre main course, crackers and jelly, pop tarts for dessert. comes with a chem reactive thing to heat up, just add water.

Not my first choice but I am prepared for the Zombie apocalypse.

Not going to lie, I had a late night grilled cheese w/ y'all and it was marvelous. I think the company had something to do with it.

I get the food as a joy thing, but I'm solo and just need boogie grub.

Like the idea of pasta bags heating in the car.

They are NOT terrible. Last MRE I had, I liked.... the Beef Stew was awesome. 

Dont get me wrong, I prefer a solid Sausage Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast,  good steak and potato dinner, a late night Custom Grilled Cheese from LOTZACheese, and all the food vendors too. 

MREs have some a long ways in the years, scientifically developed not to kill you.

Challenge accepted!!!

Thank you, sir. I gladly accept. My scoring is as follows: presentation 10pts, taste 50pts, each beer offered with meal 100pts.

I look forward to an impartial and fair competition and will report back to the fam on my findings.