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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think cottage pie is a complete meal in itself?

238 replies

00100001 · 02/10/2022 19:25

Why do I need to add extra veggies in the side to what is (possibly?) already a complete meal?

Protein, veggies and carbs all there.

OP posts:
TheLassWiADelicateAir · 02/10/2022 20:18

MrsDeaconClaybourne · 02/10/2022 19:35

Only ever carrot and onion in it for me so I'd say something green on the side. I hate peas though....

I'd possibly stretch to allowing mushrooms and /or lentils in the pie itself but not everyone in the house likes them. Definitely no peas or sweetcorn.

Agree 100%. Adding celery, mushroom and spinach sounds yuk.

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 02/10/2022 20:19

Gotta have some petit pois with it. YABU!

Thenose · 02/10/2022 20:20

It needs half a plate of non-starchy veg.

Belledan1 · 02/10/2022 20:21

I put peas, onion, tinned carrots or boil some carrots before adding as carrots take ages to cook and mushrooms in mine. Do try and put a side veg like sprouts or cabbage with it. Sometimes just have as it is. Used frozen mash today for top as trying to empty freezer.

Sallyh87 · 02/10/2022 20:21

Salad with cottage pie for me.

SquigglePigs · 02/10/2022 20:22

I only put onions and carrots in mine so I serve it with green veg. I've played around with my recipe over the years and it does work with peas etc in it. My preference is how I do it now though.

So in answer to your question - it entirely depends how you make it!

wherearebeefandonioncrisps · 02/10/2022 20:22

Sometimes we have baked beans in our cottage pie.

On the odd occasion I'll add a small tin of baked beans into my cottage pie!

( Runs and hides.)

AllTheUsernamesLeftAreShit · 02/10/2022 20:22

Totally a complete meal, particularly if you (like me) include carrots, peas and mushrooms.

Serving with baked beans is also acceptable, particularly if making it stretch to two dinners.

Solmum1964 · 02/10/2022 20:23

Changechangychange · 02/10/2022 19:31

Doesn’t cheese make it a shepherds pie?

No, shepherd's pie is made with lamb!

oakleaffy · 02/10/2022 20:23

Changechangychange · 02/10/2022 19:30

Depends on what veggies you include in it - if you just use mince and potatoes, there aren’t really any veggies in it are there? And half a diced carrot in the mince doesn’t really count either.

If you are putting peas in it, you are a monster and frankly don’t deserve a cottage pie.

Peas in cottage pie??
My anathema as a child was sliced banana and raisins in Vesta Curry when camping.
There was never enough rice and mum put raisins in it😉the powdery dry “ Meat” part 😂

Onetoffeetin · 02/10/2022 20:24

I usually do green beans with ours, preferably runners and maybe Carrots too.
I always put a tin of baked beans in the pie as well...

Jconnais1chansonquivavsenerver · 02/10/2022 20:27

Changechangychange · 02/10/2022 19:31

Doesn’t cheese make it a shepherds pie?

No, cheese just makes the topping nicer. Cottage pie is made with beef as the basic meat and shepherd's pie is made with lamb.

Original poster
00100001 · 02/10/2022 20:27

Sallyh87 · 02/10/2022 20:21

Salad with cottage pie for me.

Salad and gravy??

OP posts:
Iamchurchill · 02/10/2022 20:28

Aye, but no harm in doing a bit of broccoli on the side!!!

VestaTilley · 02/10/2022 20:28

YANBU, but I always serve up peas on the side.

Original poster
00100001 · 02/10/2022 20:28

Beelezebub · 02/10/2022 20:17

Why would you ruin a perfectly good shepherds pie by putting PEAS inside it.

Apart from such disgusting behaviour, the ratio of veg to meat and mash isn’t right if you’re relying on the veg in the pie to make it a complete meal - it definitely needs something adding. Even worse, if you assume that it’s a complete meal then you can’t have extra gravy, and that’s a travesty by any definition.

I don't add peas to shepherds pie.

I add peas to cottage pie.

OP posts:
Oxborn · 02/10/2022 20:28

Got to be baked beans on side

daisychain01 · 02/10/2022 20:29

We'd want at least 5 veg on the side - steamed sugarsnap peas, broccoli, carrot, Swiss chard, asparagus or whatever's in season.

On its own it definitely wouldn't give us our 8 a day veg so that's a no I'm afraid.

Sallyh87 · 02/10/2022 20:29

00100001 · 02/10/2022 20:27

Salad and gravy??

Show quote history

😂 I know! If you eat quickly (which I do!) it’s alright though

CaptainMyCaptain · 02/10/2022 20:32

Oxborn · 02/10/2022 20:28

Got to be baked beans on side

No. Yuk.

MrsClatterbuck · 02/10/2022 20:32

StiggyZardust · 02/10/2022 19:27

I always serve peas or runner beans. I think it needs something green.

I'm the same. Have to have something green.
Also looks nicer and more complete.
Only thing I serve with nothing else is Irish Stew which probably has the same ingredients as Cottage Pie

diddl · 02/10/2022 20:32

Sallyh87 · 02/10/2022 20:29

😂 I know! If you eat quickly (which I do!) it’s alright though

Show quote history

Or use a salad plate?

takealettermsjones · 02/10/2022 20:33

Are we all just ignoring the people who say they put sweetcorn in it?! 🤮

FeralWitch · 02/10/2022 20:34

takealettermsjones · 02/10/2022 20:33

Are we all just ignoring the people who say they put sweetcorn in it?! 🤮

Yes. It’s for the best.

RosesAndHellebores · 02/10/2022 20:35

Cottage pie:
Onion, Carrots, mince, mushrooms, good beef stock, squirt of HP. Mash on top. A cpl of Yorkies never do any harm.

Shepherd's pie
Onion, Carrots, lamb Mince, bit of finely chopped rosemary, tsp mint sauce, lamb stock, mash on top.

If for adults I put sliced potatoes on top of shepherd's pie and and cover with a light leek sauce (instead of onion sauce).

Both need green veg to accompany: peas, beans, brocoli, cabbage, sprouts, take your pick.