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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:
ThinWomansBrain · 02/10/2022 20:38

I might have it without vegetables if I didn't have any fresh ones (although usually green beans in the freezer) - but why wouldn't you - unless you don't like vegetables.

Even if you have vegetables in it, tast different to a pile of steamed veg on the side.

I was once served chips with cottage pie at a friends hose - that was weird.

Spudlover · 02/10/2022 20:38

I put carrots, peas and onion in with the mince in a cottage pie, also usually put cheese on top. Always with green beans, kale or broccoli on the side. I rarely make Shepherds pie.

I do also make a cowboy pie though, no veg other than onion, a can of beans chucked in with the mince and lots of cheesy mash. Total comfort food!

DottyLittleRainbow · 02/10/2022 20:38

We have a fairly plain pie and veg on the side. Broccoli, or cabbage, or carrots, or green beans.

AdoraBell · 02/10/2022 20:40

I serve it with broccoli.

PeloFondo · 02/10/2022 20:40

I have baked beans with it, or pickled red cabbage

AnneElliott · 02/10/2022 20:42

I have beans with ours - veggies are in the pie.

Solmum1964 · 02/10/2022 20:43

Floydthebarber · 02/10/2022 20:11

In our last one, we had onion, celery, carrot and mushrooms in it. Peas on the side, broccoli would have been nice too. Dh made it and would happily put peas in it but knows I think they look a bit sad in there.

I think it would be fantastic with a side of baked beans but no one else seems to agree with me!

The last one I made was cooked with carrots in (and onions and tomatoes). Then a good quantity of frozen peas were stirred in just before it was topped with potato and returned to the oven to brown.
Baked beans are not considered a vegetable in this house and are only really served with breakfast. Sons wouldn't touch them until they went off to uni!

PassThePringles · 02/10/2022 20:47

Cabbage and beetroot on the side, carrots in it. If you haven't tried it with pickled beetroot, try it! I was all 🤨😐 when I met my partner and he mentioned it but I'm 100% converted now!

JorisBonson · 02/10/2022 20:48

I physically cannot eat cottage pie without baked beans. Ultimate comfort meal n

PurpleSky300 · 02/10/2022 20:48

topcat2014 · 02/10/2022 19:27

Surely a few green beans or peas? Unless, horrors, you already put peas in !

I put peas in the pie, I thought everyone did haha

Somethingneedstochange · 02/10/2022 20:49

I have veg on the side. Usually carrots and broccoli or some peas. I put some lentils in to bulk it out. So it stretches to a few more meals.

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 02/10/2022 20:51

I like a side of broccoli with mine but I wouldn’t complain if I didn’t have that.

LivingMyBestLie · 02/10/2022 20:52

I'd need a massive portion if it was to be my only food.

A side of veggies would help fill me up!

cardibach · 02/10/2022 20:53

Nothing needs peas. Don’t put them in, don’t put them on the side. They are grim. However, some broccoli, or garlicky courgette or similar would be nice with a cottage pie.

bridgetreilly · 02/10/2022 20:54

Even if you put peas and carrots in it, it’s not nearly enough for a whole portion.

MintyCedricHereWeGoAgain · 02/10/2022 20:58

I don't put peas in mine so I like greens on the side, but wouldn't look askance at anyone for not bothering.

OperaStation · 02/10/2022 21:00

00100001 · 02/10/2022 19:28

Peas are inside it though...

Assuming you put peas and carrots in...?

Show quote history

The vegetables in the pie aren’t enough to constitute a servicing of veg. You definitely need a decent portion of something green on the side to make it a balanced meal.

Imissmoominmama · 02/10/2022 21:00

Changechangychange · 02/10/2022 19:31

Doesn’t cheese make it a shepherds pie?

Lamb makes it a shepherds pie.

maddiemookins16mum · 02/10/2022 21:01

I NEVER put peas in it, they go a washed out colour. I put carrots, onions and leeks and serve it with peas or another green vegetable.
It always gets served with baked beans the next day (and brown sauce) as I make my cottage pie bubble and squeek patties.

mam0918 · 02/10/2022 21:01

I treat cottage pie like pasta or lasagne or stew/casserole, its a complete meal.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 02/10/2022 21:02

Mine is semi veggie anyway - red lentils and chopped root veg - but I’d always serve something green with it.

IncyWincyGrownUp · 02/10/2022 21:02

My middle child wouldn’t handle there not being a significant pile of veg on the side as well as the cottage pie itself. Apparently being 15 means he needs all the veg. I’m not sure whether it’s to aid growing or wind production, but both are happening at an alarming rate.

ThereIbledit · 02/10/2022 21:03

Soffrito mix (onions, celery & carrot) in it along with some tomato puree and maybe some mushrooms if I'm feeling fancy, and lentils if I'm feeling healthy. Having found out I no longer tolerate nightshades well I'd sub the mash for carrot and swede mash and omit the tomato puree - at which point I'm pretty sure it's not a cottage pie any more but fuck it! Veg on the side as we don't tend to get enough veg in our lives anyway and it makes the whole plate a healthier balance.

Is it brussel sprout season yet? I haven't had any for ages!

ThereIbledit · 02/10/2022 21:03

(Gosh I sound like a right healthy wanker there don't I)

FindingMeno · 02/10/2022 21:04

I often put in peas, sweetcorn, courgette and carrot, so that's plenty of veg already in it.