For some, it’s a dream. For others, it’s their worst nightmare. An estimated 500 pounds of cooked pasta, including elbow macaroni and spaghetti, was found in the woods of Old Bridge, NJ. To put that in perspective, imagine 500 boxes of Barilla spaghetti cooked and piled up near a small creek, filling up nearly 15 wheelbarrows. Just kidding, you don’t have to imagine as there is wild picture proof of the noodle armageddon, aptly named the New Jersey pasta dump.

 It seems as if the noodles were originally dumped in their “raw” form, but became mushy with exposure to rain. While the wild oodles of noodles have already been cleaned up by the town’s public works department, the photos still caused quite a stir on the internet. I mean, Twitter really made a meal out of this news story. Here are the absolute best reactions to the mystery macaroni that plagued New Jersey this week.

1. It’s just part of nature.

Of course. My New Jersey field guide lists ​​dwarf huckleberry, serviceberry, and spaghetti as the coolest things to look for while on a hike. I think the pasta may be crushing the other flowers I’m trying to find.

2. New date idea?

Specifically, we could do the Lady and the Tramp kiss on this lovely bella notte.

3. The most perfect pasta dump joke.

Laffy Taffy, hear me out. This person deserves a full-time gig.

4. The folktale that came true.

Oh, you thought Strega Nona was a fictional children’s story? Think again!

5. This new Broadway song slaps.

This person is simply modernizing Into The Woods for a 2023 audience.

6. You don’t need to go to a fancy restaurant for fine dining. 

Don’t worry, you’ll be able to get seconds... and thirds... and fourths of this regional delicacy.

7. Pasta is art, no matter what they say.

I mean, should we talk about museum placement with these piles?

8. The Sopranos episode we all want to see.

All we need is a little Soprano’s Sunday gravy to add on top, am I right?

9. Pitch this movie ASAP.

Instead of a comedy-horror like Cocaine Bear, this movie could very easily be a rom-com. I mean, pasta is the most loving food one could make.

10. Proof of the Flying Spaghetti Monster?

Or, if you think about it…maybe he has blessed us. I’m just trying to be optimistic here.