I genuinely hate cooking pasta....it's bo-ring!
For the DW and I, 1/2 a pound is enough for us and a little leftover for the mutt. I'll also cook a whole box then save the cooked pasta in the fridge to use with a different sauce. When the sauce is done in a large pan, I just throw in the pasta and stir. VOILA! Dinner is done! For instance: I may make bowtie with a tomato/sausage sauce one night, then chicken and artickokes in a creamy parmesan sauce another night. Two totally different meals, one box of pasta. You can turn it into a side dish too.