The issue I face with that, Beta is cost. It's far more efficent to get the premade stuff(Pack of 10 or 12) then invest in it. Though, when I get one of those ready to eat and just heat up chickens, I do intend on trying making the remains a broth.
As for macaroni, eeer.. not really a mac and cheese guy. I don't want to bulk cook as I would get fed up by the third day of having the same stuff but stews serve that purpose.
I'm trying a Jamie Oliver reciepe. Tomato Spagetti. It's more or less the sauce. Just chopped tomatoes(Canned), garlic(I ballsed up as i did not think it was a key ingredient and didnt want to buy 3 lots of garlic then be stuck with it until it exceeds it's edibility, i.e. goes off) puree and basil leaves, all mixed into it. Oh and chilli. Finely chopped but not that chopped tbh. Just enough to get the job done as I have a new knife and it actually cuts stuff! Tis sharp.

Swapped out parmasan cheese with some cheap hard cheese(it's the stuff that you can get in a small pot, like pepper and just shake it over) and just combine with spagetti.
I may actually start doing photos and share with UESP. Embrace the foodie. May the food be in you.