There is hardly anything more delicious than a huge plate of spaghetti or a hot bowl of buttery mashed potatoes, but these comfort foods are loaded with tons of carbs. The U.S. Department of Health recommends that starch heavy foods only occupy a quarter of the plate during meal times, and while it does not hurt to eat starchy foods every once in a while, favorite carb heavy meals can be easily replaced with some healthy vegetables. Check out these five easy recipes that use veggies as a replacement for classic starches like pasta and potatoes.

1. Twice-Baked Spaghetti Squash and Cheese

This more healthy option tastes like real macaroni and cheese without all the noodles. By following a classic mac and cheese recipe, but substituting pasta with spaghetti, it becomes a creamy and cheesy guilt-free meal. This light dish also uses the spaghetti squash as a dish, so there are no dirty plates to be cleaned after the tasty treat! Check out the recipe from Completely Delicious HERE.

2. Creamy Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed potatoes are one of the original comfort foods, but by substituting the high in carbs potatoes for cauliflower, you get a dish low in carbs and calories. This side is just as easy to make as the one it is based on - just chop the veggie, boil and mash it up to perfection. Check out the recipe from Skinny Ms. HERE.

3. Lettuce Wraps

One of the easiest ways to substitute carbs with a healthier option is by replacing bread, tortillas or wraps with lettuce. This recipe uses the leafy green as a vessel for chicken, red cabbage, carrots and cucumbers with a delicious sauce. Check out the simple and tasty recipe from the Pioneer Woman HERE.

4. Baked Avocado Fries

One of the most difficult starches to give up may be french fries, but this baked avocado version may just help one forget that potatoes ever existed. Avocados are one of the most versatile ingredients out there and have even been called a superfood. This simple recipe calls for the avocado to be sliced in strip form, then baked in the oven. Check out the recipe from Spaceships and Laser Beams HERE.

5. Zucchini Lasagna

Meat, cheese and pasta - it does not get much better than classic lasagna. A layered dish like lasagna is the perfect item to sneak some vegetables into, and what better veggie to sneak in than zucchini? This lasagna uses 2-3 small zucchinis instead of the high-carb noodles. Check out the recipe from the Turquoise Home HERE.