"throwing together a quick meal" should have it's own word.
"cooking" to me implies you're working on something worth the time it takes, something you want to put effort into.
But when I just got home, nothing is easy to make and I have to throw something quick together, it doesn't feel like really cooking to me. Like im half assing it, it should have a half-assed name.
In my experience most adults can boil pasta.
... And boil it.... And boil it..... And DEAR GOD TAKE IT OFF THE STOVE AND DRAIN IT BEFORE IT BECOMES MUSH!