[mattmanser]

But the empty one has nothing in it. I want the happy middle, not EVERYTHING or NOTHING.

So not my ignorance as you delightfully say to a person with probably vastly more experience than you, but my frustration. I would actually like to see the way they think you should do things with each new version.

[shanselman]

There is one called "basic" that is your happy middle: http://i.imgur.com/gIllZf5.png

[mattmanser]

Well, now I feel silly.

[WayneDB]

You can create your own customized project template. Even the Express version of Visual Studio lets you create project/item templates.