Makaronka

Makaronka is a Russian colloquial term for pasta, particularly pasta that is simple and inexpensive. It is often used to refer to basic types of pasta like spaghetti or macaroni, especially when served plainly or with minimal sauce. The word carries a slightly informal, sometimes even pejorative, connotation, implying a dish that is easy to prepare, economical, and not necessarily gourmet. It can also be used in a slightly mocking or self-deprecating way when referring to a pasta dish one has made or is eating. The term differentiates from more elaborate or foreign pasta dishes, which would be referred to by their specific names (e.g., "spaghetti bolognese," "lasagna"). The diminutive form, "makaronki," is also commonly used.