What To Serve With Cottage Pie? 7 BEST Side Dishes

It’s the Monday after the bank holiday weekend, and I bet you’re all feeling rather homesick.

Here’s a dish to cure those Monday blues – cottage pie.

It’s a classic and tasty dish that won’t cost the earth and requires minimal effort.

Cottage pie is a British dish made from cooked minced meat (usually beef) and vegetables, topped with mashed potato and baked in the oven until nice and crispy on top.

There are so many different side dishes that you can serve with cottage pie.

In this blog post, we will be discussing seven of the best side dishes that you can choose from.

Whether you are looking for something hearty or something light, we have got you covered.

Keep reading to learn more about these delicious side dishes.

Table of Contents

What to Serve with Cottage Pie? 7 BEST Side Dishes

what to serve with cottage pie 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.

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That being said, let’s get into it.

These are some of the best side dishes to serve with cottage pie.

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.

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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.

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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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the best side dishes to serve with cottage pie?

Cottage pie is a great all-in-one meal, but pairing it with the right side dish can really enhance the flavors and create a balanced plate for your diners.

The best sides to serve with cottage pie include roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, green salad, coleslaw, garlic bread, roasted root vegetables and herbed couscous.

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How do I make a traditional cottage pie?

A traditional cottage pie is made with ground beef or lamb mixed with vegetables such as carrots, onions and celery cooked in a rich gravy and topped with mashed potatoes.

To begin, cook the vegetables in a skillet with some butter until softened. Next, add the ground beef or lamb and cook until browned.

Add beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste and herbs like thyme, parsley and bay leaves to create a savory gravy.

Pour the mixture into an oven-safe dish and top with mashed potatoes before baking in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

What are some helpful tips when making a cottage pie?

There are several easy steps you can take to make sure your cottage pie turns out perfectly every time.

First, use fresh ingredients whenever possible—fresh herbs and vegetables will add more flavor than dried or canned.

Second, be sure to cook the meat and vegetables thoroughly before adding in the stock—this will ensure that your cottage pie has a rich flavor. Finally, don’t forget to let it rest for a few minutes after baking.

This resting time allows the flavors to come together and creates a more cohesive dish. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to make a delicious cottage pie your guests will love.

Yield: 4 Servings