The best sides for Cottage Pie are Crispy Garlic Potatoes, Glazed Brussels Sprouts, Creamed Corn, Roasted Green Beans with Garlic and Pecorino Cheese, and Roasted Eggplant with Garlic Sauce.
Crispy garlic potatoes add crunch that contrasts the soft mashed-potato topping. A sharp, garlicky bite keeps each forkful interesting.
For something green, glazed Brussels sprouts or sauteed Swiss chard bring freshness without competing with the savory filling.
Cottage pie is hearty on its own, but the right side dish turns it into a complete meal. These seven sides add crunch, freshness, or a lighter contrast to balance the rich mashed-potato topping.
7 Best Side Dishes to Pair with Cottage Pie
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.
These are some of the best side dishes to serve with cottage pie - and for seafood nights try fish pie side ideas for seafood meals.
| 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, goes with 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 bright and healthy element to the meal |
| Pear Pecan and Goat Cheese Salad | Refreshing and tangy, balances out the richness of the Cottage Pie |
Here is a closer look at each side dish in more detail:
1 - Crispy Garlic Potatoes
This side dish is almost as important as the Cottage Pie itself.
Both 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.
You can also try substituting ghee or duck fat for the olive oil if you like something with a bit more umami flavor - or serve alongside garlic butter shrimp side suggestions for balance.
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.
These glazed Brussels sprouts also pair nicely with richer fish dishes - see honey glazed salmon side ideas for complementary flavors for options.
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 improves 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 - and doubles as a go-to for other mains, so consider creamed corn side pairings for easy reheating.
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 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.
If roasted vegetables are the plan, roasted carrots make a great companion - find more ideas at roasted carrots side suggestions for sweet-savory contrast.
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.
For a lighter starter that echoes the eggplant's roasted notes, consider pairing with red pepper soup - see red pepper soup side ideas for warm starters.
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.
Sauteed Swiss chard also pairs well with braised beef preparations - see Swiss steak side ideas for hearty mains for similar complements.
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.
For similar comfort-food pairings, see chicken pot pie side list for classic combos. For another meat-and-potato favorite, shepherd's pie side ideas for hearty dinners offers matching accompaniments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crispy garlic potatoes are the most popular choice. The crunchy texture contrasts the soft mashed-potato topping while the garlic flavor goes with the savory meat filling.
Glazed Brussels sprouts and creamed corn also work well for adding color and variety to the plate.
For large groups, go with sides that can be made in big batches and hold well at room temperature. Crispy garlic potatoes scales up easily.
Grain-based dishes and roasted vegetables stay good on a buffet without becoming soggy.
A simple green salad or steamed vegetable is the easiest low-effort option. It adds color and nutrients without heavy prep or additional richness.
How do you serve sides for a large group?
Sheet-pan sides and big-batch grains scale easily.
Roast everything on one or two trays and serve from the pan.
Avoid delicate sides that wilt or lose texture when held warm.