Alex Rossi
Alex Rossi was booked on assault and battery charges after he allegedly punched his dad in the face during an argument over macaroni and cheese. Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office

A South Carolina man was arrested Sunday on assault and battery charges after he allegedly beat his father when his dad complained about him using all the cheese packets from a box of macaroni and cheese.

Alex Rossi, 20, of Spartanburg, S.C., allegedly punched his father, 54-year-old Brian Rossi, in the face and head after his dad confronted him about the missing cheese packets, according to a report from the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office obtained Monday by the Smoking Gun.

Although his father told him to stop, Alex continued the assault, eventually tackling his father to the ground and hitting him, according to the report. The father was able to get up and put his son in a headlock, ending the fight.

A Spartanburg County sheriff’s deputy who responded to the scene said they noticed the father had “a fresh laceration beneath his eye with bruising and swelling.” The dad denied medical attention, but gave a statement about the incident, according to the report.

Both father and son told authorities that their fight was over macaroni and cheese. Brian Rossi said he tried to make some mac and cheese on Sunday, but he discovered that there was only pasta in the box and no cheese packets. He went to the garage to throw out the box, where he saw his son. After telling his son to stop using all of the cheese packets, “they exchanged a few words,” according to the report.

Alex Rossi said he and his father then started shoving each other. While he allegedly admitted to punching his dad in the face, he also told authorities that his father punched him in the face as well. He said he then walked out of the garage. Although he claimed to have a “shiner,” authorities found no evidence of facial or head injuries to the 20-year-old.

Brian Rossi told sheriff’s deputies that he wanted to press charges against his son, who he said “does not contribute to the household.” Alex Rossi was then taken to the Spartanburg County Detention Facility on charges of assault and battery.