FIRST time ordering, it was on sale and I wanted to try one without all the chemicals. You know the blue box one most of us grew up on.Anyway, CONS FIRST:HOW to prepare and directions - I read reviews before even ordering. This is one the directions did NOT do it for me. Here's how I prepared and will adjust next time (this was for very first one out of the box).I filled to line as it said, but stirred really well before putting in microwave. Microed for one minute, stirred, microed another minute and it was thick and slimy. ONLY word I can think, look and felt slimy when I stirred. I added a little more word, microd about another min. still slimy, but added packet of cheese and stirred and let sit for about five minutes. NOT as slimy when I went to eat, but noodles, even with extra cooking time, still a little too al dente, not soft enough, for me.NEXT time I will do this but stop and add MORE water after cooking a min, stirring, cooking again, stirring, will add about a third cup more water (it cooks down). AND I will also let sit for at least five-ten mins before eating because when I stir seems less slimy.Portion you wind up with - after cooking you're lucky getting a HALF of the cup to actually eat, another reason I will add more water next time, because it doesn't seem noodles cooked enough.TASTE - I have this as a CON and a PRO. Not super tasty. Not bad, but better if you doctor it up a bit.PROS -INGREDIENTS - I wanted something that I would KNOW what ingredients are in it (looking at the blue box one, I can't pronounce, much less know, what all the ingredients are, some I looked up). I wanted something I felt was healthier, this one ticks that box.EASE of COOKING - After doing one, I figured out how to do the next one. Microwaves vary and you may have to experiment.TASTE - not bad, but again, adding pretty much anything will make it less blend. And I like it doesn't taste unnatural.TEXTURE - depending on how you cook and waiting (crucial) for 5-10 minutes after stirring in cheese, makes the slimy go away a lot.COST - well, I did get with a 20% discount which is one of the reasons I wanted to try, so cost was good BUT considering you only get about a HALF of the carton when the product is done, if you're hungry, you're going to need two.BOTTOMLINE: NOT sorry I got it, the only thing that might prohibit me getting often is the price and quantity you end up with. If I have to make two, becomes obviously more expensive and I will go thru all 12 in six days. CONSIDERING healthy alternatives for quick, relatively healthy meals, this is only one I found, I can eat it, and it was on sale. Will see for future.