Are you looking for a comforting meal to feed your family this winter? Look no further than cottage pie.
This hearty dish of ground beef, veggies, and mashed potatoes has been a favorite since the 19th century and will surely be loved by children and adults alike.
The only question left is what to serve with cottage pie.
In this blog post, we’ll reveal our best tips on side dishes that will complement cottage pie perfectly – from zesty salads to simple roasted vegetables.
What Is Cottage Pie?
Cottage pie, or shepherd’s pie as it is sometimes called, is a classic British dish made with minced meat and vegetables topped with mashed potato and cheese.
It is usually served hot in the oven after being baked for an hour until golden brown and bubbling.
It can also be served cold as leftovers, making it a great make-ahead dish.
The ingredients for cottage pie are simple and can be varied depending on what you have in the house.
The base of the dish is usually made with minced beef or lamb, onions, stock, carrots, peas, and a few spices to taste.
The mashed potato topping typically includes butter, milk, and cheese for added flavor and creaminess.
What To Serve With Cottage Pie?
Cottage Pie is a classic, hearty dish with various accompaniments. Here are some options for what to serve with cottage pie.
Fresh Bread
Fresh bread is a staple in many kitchens and can be made using various ingredients, including all-purpose flour, yeast, water, salt, sugar, butter, or oil.
Fresh bread can be served as an accompaniment to cottage pie because the flavor of the bread complements the creamy texture and savory flavor of the pie.
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The bread can be used to sop up any of the juices and gravy produced by the pie, creating a satisfying bite.
Fresh bread also adds variety and texture to the meal, providing a pleasant contrast to the softness of the pie.
It is an easy way to add a homemade touch to your meal while allowing for some convenience in preparation and serving.
The combination of creamy pie and crusty bread is a classic that always pleases.
Minted Peas
Minted Peas are a popular side dish in the United Kingdom that is served alongside cottage pie.
It’s made with peas, mint, butter and sugar for sweetness.
The freshness of the mint combined with the sweetness of the sugar complements the savory flavor of the cottage pie perfectly.
Minted peas are an easy-to-make side dish that can be prepared in minutes.
They’re also a great way to add extra greens to your meal.
Minted peas are an excellent source of fiber, protein, and vitamins A and C, which helps keep you full and satisfied after your meal.
The addition of mint is not only for flavor but it adds a bright pop of color to the plate that makes it an appealing side dish.
Minted peas pair well with various savory dishes and can be enjoyed year-round.
Try them as a side dish for cottage pie, roasted meats or fish for a delicious and nutritious meal.
Creamed Corn
Creamed corn is a classic side dish that typically consists of corn kernels cooked in a cream sauce.
It can be prepared with canned or frozen corn, heavy cream, butter, salt and pepper.
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This creamy version of the traditional vegetable adds a savory richness to any dish it’s paired with and creamed corn pairs well with cottage pie because of its creamy texture and mild sweetness.
The richness of the cream sauce complements the savory flavors of the mincemeat filling while adding an interesting contrast to the texture of the mashed potatoes.
The combination of flavors and textures makes for a comforting, hearty meal that is sure to satisfy.
Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is a winter squash with a sweet, nutty flavor and smooth texture when cooked.
It is often roasted in the oven to bring out its natural sweetness and can be added to stews, soups, casseroles, bread, pies, and more.
Butternut squash is known for its versatility and can be used as a substitute for pumpkin in many recipes.
It is also an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
When served with cottage pie, butternut squash adds sweetness and a creamy texture to the dish, complementing the flavors of the other ingredients nicely.
It also helps to lighten the pie, making it healthier and more enjoyable.
Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted cauliflower is a versatile side dish that can be served with various main dishes.
Cauliflower is known for its mild flavor and crunchy texture when roasted, making it an ideal accompaniment to cottage pie.
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The nutty flavor of roasted cauliflower pairs wonderfully with the creamy mashed potatoes, savory gravy, and succulent cottage pie meat.
Roasted cauliflower also adds a pop of color to the plate, making for an attractive presentation.
Additionally, roasted cauliflower is a healthy option as it is low in carbs and contains vitamins and minerals.
With its easy preparation and nutty flavor, serving roasted cauliflower alongside cottage pie will surely be a hit with family and friends.
Roasted Asparagus
Roasted asparagus is a tasty and nutritious vegetable side dish.
It’s made by roasting fresh asparagus spears in the oven with oil, salt, and pepper until tender-crisp.
Roasted asparagus has a slightly smoky flavor, which pairs wonderfully with the beefy cottage pie.
The buttery crust and the creamy mashed potatoes combine with the roasted asparagus, creating a comforting and satisfying meal.
Roasted asparagus is also nutritious, providing important vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, E, K, B6, folate, magnesium, fiber, and potassium.
So not only does it taste great, it’s good for you too! Enjoy this delicious vegetable side dish with cottage pie and other favorite dishes.
Roasted Eggplant
Roasted eggplant is made from roasted eggplant, usually served with cottage pie.
Eggplants are naturally high in moisture, and roasting them helps to draw out this moisture, resulting in an incredibly delicious and creamy texture when combined with the mashed potato topping of the cottage pie.
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Combining these two flavors makes for a very comforting and savory dish.
Roasting the eggplant also helps to soften its skin, which makes it more pleasant to eat.
Additionally, roasting brings a sweet, smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the hearty cottage pie filling.
Serving roasted eggplant with cottage pie is a great way to put an interesting twist on classic comfort food.
Not only does it look great, but the combination of flavors makes for a truly unforgettable meal.
Garlic-Roasted Potatoes
Garlic-roasted potatoes are a classic accompaniment to cottage pie.
The savory, garlicky flavor of the potatoes complements the rich flavors in the cottage pie and adds an extra layer of flavor.
The potatoes also provide a nice contrast in texture as they become crunchy on the outside while remaining tender inside.
This makes them very enjoyable to eat, along with the cottage pie.
The garlic-roasted potatoes also provide a light, nutty flavor that pairs nicely with the herbs and spices used in the pie filling.
Serving garlic-roasted potatoes alongside cottage pie is an easy way to elevate this classic British dish into something special.
FAQs
What Vegetables To Serve With Cottage Pie?
Carrots, peas, and corn are great options for pairing with cottage pie.
If you’d like to add more variety to the plate, you could also serve broccoli, green beans or spinach.
Roasted root vegetables like potatoes, parsnips or squash can make a nice change from mashed potatoes on top of your pie.
What Type of Salad To Serve With Cottage Pie?
A simple green salad is always a good choice with cottage pie.
Start with a bed of leafy greens like romaine, spinach or arugula and top it off with tomatoes, onions, olives and maybe some crumbled feta cheese.
If you’d like to add a bit of sweetness, dried cranberries, chopped apples or mandarin oranges would be delicious too.
What Bread To Serve With Cottage Pie?
Freshly baked crusty bread is an excellent option for serving with cottage pie. Whole-grain bread or rye bread works particularly well.
If you don’t have any bread, a crunchy biscuit or puff pastry would also be a tasty accompaniment.
Conclusion
Now you should know what to serve with cottage pie. Cottage pie is a classic British dish that can be enjoyed all year round.
It’s warm and hearty, making it the perfect comfort food for cold winter nights.
Cottage pie becomes even more comforting and delicious when served with complementary side dishes like butternut squash, roasted cauliflower, roasted asparagus, roasted eggplant, and garlic-roasted potatoes.
These side dishes add unique flavors, textures, and colors to the plate, making for a truly memorable meal.
So next time you make cottage pie, remember to serve it with some of these delicious side dishes for an unforgettable culinary experience!
