Potatoes and pasta are brilliant foods to include in your food plan. Being starchy carbohydrate foods, pasta and potatoes supply your body with slow-burning energy. When you eat them, they fuel your energy needs and help keep you feeling full for longer. Yet because they are basics in our diet, we tend to stick to the same old ways of serving them, so explore their versatility and enjoy them in these tasty ways.

Aubergine, Mushroom and Tomato Bolognaise
Serves 4 /Zero POINTS values per serving of sauce / Core Plan�?BR>Finely chop 1 medium aubergine, 1 onion, 2 garlic cloves and 175g mushrooms. Cook in a non-stick frying pan or wok sprayed with low fat cooking spray until softened. Add a 400g can of tomatoes and 2 tsp Italian mixed dried herbs. Cook over a low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring often, until reduced and thickened. Season, then use to fill jacket potatoes or spoon onto cooked spaghetti (add extra POINTS values).

Creamy Baked Pasta or Potatoes
Serves 2 / 7 POINTS values per serving with pasta / 6 POINTS values per serving with potatoes / Core
Beat together 100g low fat soft cheese, 150g low fat plain yogurt, 2 medium eggs, 200ml skimmed milk and 2 tbsp finely chopped chives or spring onions. Season. Cook 150g dried pasta shapes until tender, tip into 2 individual baking dishes and add the egg mixture. Bake at 190°C, fan oven 170°C, Gas Mark 5 for 20-25 minutes, until set and golden. Try using 450g cooked sliced potatoes instead of pasta.

Tuna Pasta or Potato Salad
Serves 2 / 1.5 POINTS values per serving for tuna mix / Core
Mix together 200g tuna, 2 tbsp tomato puree, 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tsp white wine vinegar. Add 6 chopped spring onions, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, ¼ chopped cucumber and 10 halved cherry tomatoes. Add 300g cooked penne or 300g boiled new potatoes (add extra POINTS values). Season, stir well and serve with salad leaves.

Greek Lemon & Thyme Topping
Serves 2 / 6 POINTS values per serving with pasta / 4½ POINTS values with potato / Core
Mix 100g low fat soft cheese with 150g pot 0% fat Greek style yogurt. Add 4 finely chopped spring onions, 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme and 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest. Share between 2 x 225g baked potatoes or cook 150g dried pasta until tender and stir the cheese mixture through, adding 2 tbsp of the pasta cooking water.

Rosemary Roasted Vegetable Topper
Serves 2 / Zero POINTS values per serving of sauce / Core
Chop 1 red and 1 yellow pepper into large chunks. Slice 1 red onion into wedges. Thickly slice 1 courgette. Tip into a roasting pan and spray with low fat cooking spray. Add 2 rosemary sprigs. Roast at 200°C, fan oven 180°C, Gas Mark 6 for 25-30 minutes, turning once. Stir in a few drops of Worcestershire sauce or mushroom ketchup and 2 tbsp tomato puree. Use as a topper for baked potatoes or cooked pasta (add extra POINTS values).

Creamy Seafood and Shredded Leeks
Serves 2 / 2½ POINTS values per serving of sauce / Core
Finely slice 1 large leek and cook in low fat cooking spray until soft and tender. Add 50g of cooked, peeled prawns, 25g cooked frozen peas and a 170g can of crab meat (drained). Add 4 tbsp very low fat fromage frais, season and stir gently Serve on top of cooked pasta or baked potatoes (add extra POINTS values