What to Serve with Pot Pie: Delicious Sides to Complete Your Meal

Vegetable pot pie is a comforting and hearty dish, perfect for a cozy night in. With its flaky crust and creamy, flavorful filling, it’s often a meal in itself. However, pairing it with the right side dishes can elevate your dinner to a truly exceptional experience. If you’re wondering What To Serve With Pot Pie to create a balanced and satisfying meal, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s explore some fantastic options that will complement your pot pie perfectly.

Complementary Side Dishes for Pot Pie

When choosing side dishes for pot pie, you want to consider flavors and textures that enhance, rather than compete with, the main course. Pot pie is rich and creamy, so lighter, brighter, and slightly acidic sides often work best. Here are some categories and specific ideas to inspire you:

Fresh Salads: Adding Brightness and Crispness

A fresh salad is an excellent counterpoint to the richness of pot pie. The crispness and acidity of a salad cut through the creaminess, creating a more balanced and enjoyable meal.

Simple Green Salad with Vinaigrette: A classic choice. A simple mix of greens with a light vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast. Consider a lemon vinaigrette to echo the lemon zest often found in pot pie recipes.
Arugula Salad with Lemon and Parmesan: The peppery bite of arugula, combined with lemon juice and salty parmesan, offers a vibrant and flavorful side.
Apple and Walnut Salad: The sweetness of apples, the crunch of walnuts, and the freshness of greens create a delightful salad that complements the savory pot pie. A light cider vinaigrette would tie the flavors together beautifully.

Roasted Vegetables: Enhancing Earthy Flavors

While pot pie itself often contains vegetables, serving a side of roasted vegetables can add another layer of flavor and texture, especially if you choose vegetables that are different from those in your pie.

Roasted Asparagus: Asparagus roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper is simple yet elegant. Its slightly bitter notes pair well with the creamy filling of pot pie.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze: Slightly caramelized Brussels sprouts with a touch of balsamic glaze offer a sweet and savory side that complements the richness of the pot pie.
Roasted Carrots with Herbs: Sweet roasted carrots, perhaps with thyme or rosemary, bring a different kind of sweetness and earthiness to the meal.

Grains and Starches: Lightening the Meal

If you want to add a grain or starch but keep the meal relatively light, consider these options:

Quinoa Salad: A light and fluffy quinoa salad with herbs, lemon, and perhaps some vegetables like cucumber and bell peppers, can be a healthy and refreshing side.
Couscous with Dried Fruit and Nuts: Fluffy couscous with the sweetness of dried fruit and the crunch of nuts offers a textural contrast and subtle sweetness that works well.
Simple Rice Pilaf: A basic rice pilaf, cooked in broth with a bit of butter and herbs, is a comforting and understated side that won’t overshadow the pot pie.

Bread: For Sopping Up Deliciousness

While pot pie already has a crust, serving a simple bread on the side is perfect for soaking up any extra creamy filling.

Crusty Bread with Olive Oil: A simple loaf of crusty bread, served with good quality olive oil for dipping, is always a welcome addition.
Garlic Breadsticks: Light and airy garlic breadsticks can be a fun and flavorful side, especially if you keep them on the lighter side to avoid being too heavy.

vegetable pot pie before baking

Image alt text: Unbaked vegetable pot pie with a golden crust and visible vegetable filling, ready for the oven.

Tips for Pairing Side Dishes with Pot Pie

Consider the Season: Choose seasonal vegetables for your side dishes to ensure freshness and flavor.
Think about Balance: Aim for a balance of flavors and textures. If your pot pie is very rich, opt for lighter, brighter sides.
Don’t Overdo It: Pot pie is already a substantial dish. You don’t need to serve multiple heavy sides. One or two well-chosen sides are usually sufficient.
Prepare Ahead: Many side dishes can be prepared partially or fully in advance, making your meal preparation smoother, especially if you are also making homemade pot pie crust.

As mentioned before, if you’re aiming to make vegetable pot pie from scratch, planning ahead is key. Making the filling a day or two in advance and having pie crusts ready can significantly simplify the process.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Serving Pot Pie

Just as there are common mistakes in making pot pie, there are also things to keep in mind when serving it with side dishes:

Overly Heavy Sides: Avoid sides that are too heavy or creamy, as they can make the meal feel overly rich and overwhelming.
Sides That Compete in Flavor: Choose side dishes that complement the flavors of your pot pie, rather than competing with them. For example, avoid sides with very strong or clashing spices.
Forgetting the Refreshment: Don’t forget to include something fresh and bright, like a salad or lightly dressed vegetables, to balance the richness.

filling for vegetable pot pie in a large skillet with a metal spatula

Image alt text: Vegetable pot pie filling being stirred in a skillet, featuring colorful vegetables like carrots, peas, and celery.

Making Pot Pie a Complete Meal

By thoughtfully choosing your side dishes, you can transform vegetable pot pie into a truly complete and satisfying meal. Whether you opt for a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, or a light grain dish, the right pairings will elevate your pot pie experience and create a memorable dinner. Experiment with different combinations to find your perfect pot pie accompaniment!

And remember, for the best pot pie experience, consider making your own pie crust. A homemade pie crust truly enhances the flavor and texture of the dish.

Pot Pie Leftovers and Serving Suggestions

Leftover pot pie can be just as delicious the next day. Reheat it in the oven to maintain the crust’s crispness. When serving leftovers, a fresh side salad can revitalize the meal and make it feel new again.

a slice of vegetable pot pie on a plate with a fork