I'm a backpacker/bike rider who loves to go deep into the wilds with my mountain bike, and these meals are okay for that. With a shelf life, in cool dry conditions, of about ten years means it is the best to keep around for all emergencies and your camping needs. But I would eat them up about every five years or so and then replace them just to be on the safe side.
They typically provide utensils, salt and pepper and even coffee or tea packet. Oh yes, even matches. They do vary to some degree on these items, but that is the average contents.
The food packets are typically a few of the following:

Beef Enchilada

Cajun Rice w/Beans and Sausage

Cheese Omelet w/Vegetables

Chili Macaroni

Meatloaf

Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce

Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stew

BBQ Chicken with Black Beans and Potatoes

Chicken Noodle Stew

Cheese Tortellini

Vegetarian Chili with Beans

Some food packets are rare, over others, I do not know why.

The best way to get any real flavor from them is to heat them up, AND bring along your own seasoning for each type of food packet you are taking along (example for beef I use Grill Mates Montreal Steak seasoning). All the meals taste better that way. From the selections given you are provided a chance to find your own favorites. But, even so, you will find at the very least one MRE that you won't be able to stand the flavor (or lack of) to eat it!!! And none of them, ever, while cold.

I cannot speak for you, but I go outdoors to enjoy myself, just to get away from work--not for the food.