What to Serve with Cottage Pie? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Ever stood in your kitchen, staring at that glorious cottage pie fresh out the oven and thought, “What on earth do I pair this with?” We’ve all been there. That moment of triumph quickly shadowing with panic.

It’s a universal dilemma. One minute, you’re basking in the glory of your culinary masterpiece. The next, you’re scratching your head, fridge door ajar, searching for answers.

We get it. Cottage pie is a classic. It deserves side dishes that elevate it, not overshadow. That balance? It’s tricky.

I remember the first time I made cottage pie. It was a masterpiece. Yet, there I was, pot in hand, lost. My brother suggested something “green.” Helpful, right?

No worries, though. We’ve got your back. Stick with us, and you’ll be navigating this like a pro.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Cottage Pie?

When it comes to cooking and preparing meals, many people tend to focus on the main dish and neglect the side dishes.

However, serving side dishes for cottage pie can greatly enhance the overall dining experience and make your meal more enjoyable.

Here are some reasons why you should consider incorporating side dishes with your cottage pie.

1. Adds Variety to Your Meal

Serving a variety of dishes can make your meal more interesting and appealing. Cottage pie is a classic dish that is usually made with ground beef, mashed potatoes, and vegetables.

While this combination is delicious on its own, it can get repetitive if eaten often.

By adding side dishes to your cottage pie, you can create a well-balanced and diverse meal that everyone will enjoy.

2. Complements the Flavors of Cottage Pie

Side dishes can be used to complement and enhance the flavors of your cottage pie.

For example, a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing can help balance out the richness of the mashed potatoes and meat in your cottage pie.

Additionally, serving some roasted vegetables on the side can add another layer of flavor and texture to your meal.

3. Provides Nutritional Value

While cottage pie itself is a complete meal with protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables, incorporating side dishes can add even more nutritional value to your meal.

By choosing a variety of veggies and grains for your side dishes, you can ensure that your meal is well-rounded and packed with essential vitamins and nutrients.

4. Accommodates Dietary Restrictions

By serving side dishes with your cottage pie, you can easily accommodate any dietary restrictions or preferences.

For example, if someone in your family is vegetarian, you can serve a meatless side dish to ensure they have something to eat.

Likewise, if someone is gluten-free, you can choose a grain-free option for your side dish.

5. Great for Feeding a Crowd

Cottage pie is a popular dish for large gatherings and events. By serving side dishes, you can make your meal more filling and satisfying for a larger group of people.

This also allows guests to mix and match their favorite side dishes with their cottage pie, creating a customized dining experience for everyone.

What to Serve with Cottage Pie? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Cottage pie is a traditional dish in Great Britain.

It is traditionally served with side dishes.

A good Cottage Pie recipe will have many different options for side dishes, so there are many ways to customize the meal.

Side dishes are always a hit when it’s time to serve up the main attraction.

Why not take that same approach with cottage pie? With so many side dishes to choose from, you never have to serve the same thing twice.

That being said, let’s get into it. These are some of the best side dishes to serve with cottage pie.

Side Dish	Key Characteristics
Crispy Garlic Potatoes	Crispy and flavorful, provides a satisfying accompaniment to the Cottage Pie
Glazed Brussels Sprouts	Sweet and savory, adds a balance of flavors to the rich and hearty pie
Creamed Corn	Creamy and comforting, complements the flavors of the Cottage Pie
Roasted Green Beans with Garlic and Pecorino Cheese	Crispy and cheesy, offers a delicious and healthy addition to the meal
Roasted Eggplant with Garlic Sauce	Savory and tender, provides a vegetarian option that pairs well with the Cottage Pie
Sauteed Swiss Chard	Nutritious and flavorful, adds a vibrant and healthy element to the meal
Pear Pecan and Goat Cheese Salad	Refreshing and tangy, balances out the richness of the Cottage Pie

Now let’s dive into each side dish in more detail:

1 – Crispy Garlic Potatoes

This side dish is almost as important as the Cottage Pie itself.

Not only does it compliment the flavors of this hearty meal, but it also brings a little textural contrast.

The golden-brown exterior of the potatoes gives way to a soft and fluffy interior.

However, there is a slight crispy bite from cooking them in garlic and olive oil.

Adding a little grated parmesan cheese at the end adds to this dish’s flavor profile.

You can also try substituting ghee or duck fat for the olive oil if you like something with a bit more umami flavor.

This is an easy way to make them extra delicious.

This dish is perfect for those who like their crispy potatoes and fork-tender.

2 – Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are a fantastic accompaniment to any meal.

They have an earthy flavor that is perfect alongside meats and grains.

These Brussels sprouts get a little sweetness from honey, but the slight acidity of balsamic vinegar balances it.

This dish goes well with roast chicken or a pork chop dish.

Try a little scallion for a pop of green color or garnish with toasted pecans for some crunch.

This dish is perfect when served hot – the slight char on the Brussels sprouts adds an amazing flavor.

It might even turn people who don’t like brussels sprouts into fans.

3 – Creamed Corn

Creamed corn is a great traditional side dish, but it’s even better when you give it an upgrade.

The addition of fresh thyme and spicy jalapeno elevates this dish to something special.

Cilantro gives it a little color as well as a little more flavor.

This side goes perfectly with the richness of the Cottage Pie.

This dish is great served at room temperature, so feel free to prepare it ahead of time.

This works well for those busy weeknight dinners – reheat it when you’re ready to serve.

4 – Roasted Green Beans with Garlic and Pecorino Cheese

This dish adds a unique flavor to the meal.

It’s a little bit spicy, a little bit garlicky, but also rich and creamy from finishing them off in butter.

This gives it a complex texture that contrasts perfectly with the rich and filling Cottage Pie.

When you roast green beans in this way, the skin stays on.

This gives the dish a nice crunch even when finished off in butter.

This side tastes good at room temperature, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.

5 – Roasted Eggplant with Garlic Sauce

This side dish is super easy to make, but it brings a ton of flavor.

The garlic sauce helps bring this side together.

Pairing the eggplant with some parsley for garnish adds even more color and flavor.

This goes well with any meat or poultry dishes, including the cottage pie.

This dish pairs well with those rich flavors, so it’s perfect if the entrée has a lot of spices or seasonings.

It can even be served as an appetizer.

6 – Sauteed Swiss Chard

This is an absolutely beautiful side dish.

The deep green color of Swiss chard pairs well with the subtle earthy flavors.

It works as a great accompaniment to the cottage pie and any other meal that you might be serving.

Swiss chard can be prepared in several different ways.

For this dish, saute it quickly in olive oil with some fresh minced garlic.

Swiss chard keeps it well – you can even prepare it ahead of time.

It’s perfect for those busy weeknights.

7 – Pear Pecan and Goat Cheese Salad

One of the best things about this dish is that the dressing is made in the same bowl as the salad.

Many classic salads like Caesar and spinach call for a large bowl with separate vessels for each component.

However, we’ve found that it only takes a little bit of extra effort to make these elements come together at once.

This ensures that each bite is equal parts greens, pears, goat cheese, and salad dressing.

If you’re serving this with other carbs or proteins, that means that each forkful will have a little bit of everything.

This delicious salad goes well with the earthy flavors of the cottage pie.

It can even serve as an appetizer for those who want to keep the meal light.

Conclusion

Cottage pie is the perfect dish to share with your family and friends.

With these seven best side dishes, you’ll have a complete meal from appetizer to entrée to dessert.

These dishes will elevate any meal into something special.

All of these recipes are easy enough for weeknight dinners but delicious enough for anyone who might be coming over.

If you want to add even more flavor and spice, you can experiment with different ingredients in each recipe.

This is a versatile dish that will quickly become a classic favorite.