When it comes to comfort food, cottage pie is king. This dish is made with ground beef and vegetables, topped with creamy mashed potatoes, and baked until golden brown. It's the perfect meal for a cold winter day! But are you stuck on what to serve with cottage pie? We've got you covered with 31 of the best side dishes that will pair perfectly with your cottage pie!
From roasted vegetables to simple salads, there's something for everyone on this list. So whether you're looking for a hearty side or something light and refreshing, we've got you covered!
So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
What Is Cottage Pie?
Cottage pie, also known as shepherd's pie, is a traditional British dish that dates back to the 18th century. The dish is typically made with ground beef or ground lamb, potatoes, and carrots, which are cooked in a rich gravy or tomato-based sauce. The mixture is then topped with a thick layer of mashed potato and baked until golden brown.
While cottage pie is often associated with rural England, the dish is now enjoyed by people all over the world. In addition to being delicious, cottage pie is also hearty and filling, making it the perfect comfort food for chilly evenings.
Whether you're looking for a classic recipe or something new to try, cottage pie is sure to hit the spot.
What To Serve With Cottage Pie: 31 Superb Sides
Cottage pie can be served with a variety of sides, but some of the most popular include green beans, carrots, and peas. For a heartier meal, you could also serve it with roasted potatoes or roasted vegetables. Cottage pie is also often served with a side of bread, such as garlic bread or rolls. If you're looking for something lighter, you could serve cottage pie with a salad or soup.
We've put together a list of 31 superb sides to help you decide what to serve with your cottage pie. No matter what you choose to serve with it, cottage pie is sure to be a hit!
1. Yorkshire Pudding
Yorkshire pudding is a classic English side dish that is often served with cottage pie. The dish is made with flour, eggs, and milk, and is cooked in an air fryer or a hot oven until it is puffed up and golden brown. Yorkshire pudding can be served plain, or with gravy or butter.
2. Irish Soda Bread
Irish soda bread is a type of quick bread that is made with flour, baking soda, buttermilk, and salt. It is traditionally cooked in a cast iron skillet and served with butter. Irish soda bread can also be served with jam or honey. It's a great simple side to serve with cottage pie!
3. Mushy Peas
Mushy peas are a traditional English side dish that is often served with cottage pie. The peas are cooked until they are soft and then mashed with a fork or potato masher. Mushy peas can also be flavored with mint, butter, or cream.
4. Festive Spinach Salad
This colorful spinach salad is the perfect accompaniment for a filling cottage pie. This light salad is the perfect combo with a rich main dish. The salad is made with baby spinach, pomegranate seeds, mandarin oranges, and a cranberry, orange, and rosemary salad dressing.
5. Dinner Rolls
Dinner rolls are a classic side dish that can be served with just about any meal. They can be store-bought or homemade and are typically served with butter. Dinner rolls are the perfect side for sopping up any extra gravy from your cottage pie.
6. Roasted Brussel Sprouts With Parmesan Cheese
These cheesy roasted brussel sprouts are a delicious and healthy way to round out your cottage pie meal. The sprouts are roasted with olive oil, garlic, and salt until they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
7. Goat Cheese Salad
This goat cheese salad is a simple and elegant side dish that pairs well with cottage pie. The salad is made with mixed greens, crumbled goat cheese, candied pecans, and a balsamic vinaigrette. The sweetness of the pecans contrasts nicely with the savory flavors of the cottage pie.
8. Roasted Turnip And Garlic Mash
This roasted garlic and turnip mash is a simple recipe with few ingredients that is always thick and creamy! The sweetness of the roasted garlic and the buttery richness of the turnips makes this flavorful side dish a delicious pairing for cottage pie!
9. Corn Salad
This corn salad is a summery side dish that is perfect for serving with cottage pie. The salad is made with fresh sweet corn kernels, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, and a simple vinaigrette. It's a great way to add some freshness and color to your meal.
10. Apple Walnut Salad
This apple walnut salad is a great way to add some sweetness and crunch to your cottage pie meal. The salad is made with apples, walnuts, dried cranberries, and a honey mustard dressing. It's a simple and tasty side that is sure to please everyone at the table.
11. Creamy Vegan Coleslaw
This Vegan Coleslaw is a lightened-up version of the classic we all love. It's mayo-free, yet it's still so rich, creamy, and tangy. It provides a nice contrast to the cottage pie and will be a hit when served up as a side!
12. Candied Sweet Potatoes
Candied sweet potatoes are a type of sweet potato that is cooked in a sugary syrup until it is soft and sticky. They are often served as a side dish for holiday meals. Candied sweet potatoes can be served plain or with a dollop of whipped cream, pecans, and marsh
13. Oven-Roasted Carrots
An easy no-fail recipe for the best oven-roasted carrots! These perfect roasted carrots are naturally sweet with a touch of savory from fresh herbs and spices! They're a great go-to side dish for cottage pie.
14. Cajun Green Beans
Cajun green beans are a type of green bean that is cooked with Cajun spices until tender. These Cajun green beans are a delicious side dish with a unique flavor - a perfect accompaniment to a dish like cottage pie!
15. Grilled Corn On The Cob
Grilled corn on the cob is a type of corn that is grilled over an open flame until it is tender. It is often served as a side dish for barbecues and pairs well with cottage pie.
16. Avocado Apple Pear Salad
This avocado apple pear salad was made to accompany rich main dishes, like cottage pie. It brings fresh crunch and tang to the table.
17. Honey Roasted Vegetables With Rosemary
These honey-roasted vegetables are naturally sweet and fragrant from rosemary. A cozy and delicious recipe, perfect with cottage pie!
18. Skinny Broccoli Salad
This lightened-up skinny broccoli salad gets a delicious crunch from the sunflower kernels and crisp broccoli, with a delicious healthy dressing made from Greek yogurt!
19. Sauteed Zucchini
Perfectly tender sauteed zucchini that’s never soggy or mushy. All you need is 10 minutes, a hot pan, and a few simple ingredients to transform this lackluster green vegetable into everyone’s favorite side dish recipe!
20. Instant Pot Baby Potatoes
These garlicky parmesan potatoes are easy to make, tender, and an all-around delicious side dish to serve with cottage pie.
21. Smoky Radish Greens
With a rich smoky flavor, smoky radish greens are an easy, tasty vegetable side, flavored with bacon and smoked paprika. An easy 5-ingredient recipe that pairs well with cottage pie.
22. Shimeji Mushrooms
These shimeji mushrooms are a great side dish. The garlic, butter, and soy sauce flavors play so well together.
23. Honey Spiced Roasted Carrots
With a sweet complex flavor profile from cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and cardamom, honey-spiced roasted carrots go from reliable to WOW. A perfect side for cottage pie.
24. Healthy Broccoli Salad With Greek Yogurt Dressing
Easy healthy broccoli salad with tangy, creamy Greek yogurt dressing. With crunchy broccoli, crispy bacon, and shredded cheddar, this perfect side dish is healthier and more flavorful!
25. Maple Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
These delicious roasted carrots are glazed with maple syrup and brown sugar. They are the perfect combination of sweet and savory.
26. Sauteed Broccolini
Sauteed broccolini is a nutrient-rich, tender version of broccoli that goes well with just about everything and takes only 10 minutes to make. To make this vegan side, simply cook the broccolini in olive oil and toss with garlic, red chili flakes, and lemon juice for extra flavor.
27. Roasted Brussel Sprouts With Pancetta
Brussels sprouts with pancetta is the green side dish to round out your meat and potato meal! Easy to make on one pan, this simple dish is a great side for cottage pie.
28. Garlic Sauteed Mushrooms
Sliced sautéed mushrooms are a favorite side dish in Ireland, the home of cottage pie. These mushrooms are cooked Irish style and are caramelized to a deep golden brown in a large skillet with butter and garlic.
29. Honey Roasted Parsnips And Carrots
These honey-roasted parsnips and carrots are a tasty and easily prepared side dish. The carrots and parsnips are smothered in a glaze of honey, mustard, and rosemary for the most delicious flavor.
30. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
You only need 5 ingredients to make these simple roasted sweet potatoes! This popular vegetable is deliciously seasoned and perfectly caramelized in this easy recipe.
31. Balsamic Brussel Sprout Salad
This wonderful mixture is out of this world! This brussel sprout salad recipe is tossed in a homemade balsamic vinegar dressing on a bed of cool and crisp brussel sprouts. Add crispy bacon, dried cranberries, and freshly shaved parmesan cheese and you have one incredible tasting salad that pairs perfectly with so many dinner recipes! This salad provides a lovely contrast to the hearty cottage pie.
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