10+ Paneer Recipes for Delicious and Easy Homemade Meals

Paneer is a popular cheese used in many dishes, especially in Indian cooking. It has a mild flavor that works well with different spices and sauces.

Whether you like your food spicy or creamy, paneer recipes can offer something tasty for you to try.

Paneer recipes are easy to make at home and can turn simple meals into satisfying dishes. You don’t need many fancy ingredients, and you can cook paneer in many ways to suit your taste.

Paneer is a great choice if you want to add variety to your meals.

1) Paneer Butter Masala

Paneer Butter Masala is a creamy and rich Indian curry. You cook soft paneer cubes in a sauce made with tomatoes, butter, and cashews.

The taste is mild with a touch of sweetness from the butter. This dish goes great with naan or rice.

It’s simple to make but feels special for a meal. You’ll enjoy the smooth, flavorful gravy and tender paneer in every bite.

The key to the best taste is to slowly cook the tomato and onion base until it’s thick and rich. Add fresh cream at the end to make it extra smooth.

Ingredients

• 250g paneer, cut into cubes
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 large tomatoes, pureed
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 10 cashews, soaked and ground
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/4 cup fresh cream
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat butter in a pan on medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
2. Add onions and ginger-garlic paste; cook until soft.
3. Pour in tomato puree and cook until oil separates.
4. Add cashew paste, chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Mix well.
5. Add paneer cubes, stir gently, and cook for 5 minutes.
6. Pour in fresh cream and cook for 2 more minutes on low heat.
7. Garnish with chopped coriander before serving.

2) Palak Paneer (Spinach Curry)

Palak Paneer is a tasty Indian dish made with fresh spinach and paneer cheese. The spinach cooks down into a smooth, flavorful sauce.

Pieces of paneer are added and lightly fried to give the dish a nice texture. You can enjoy Palak Paneer with rice or flatbreads like naan.

It is a great way to add greens to your meal while enjoying creamy, mild cheese. The spices create a balanced, comforting flavor.

This recipe uses simple ingredients that are easy to find. You can make it at home for a wholesome and filling dish.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh spinach, washed
• 200g paneer, cut into cubes
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 1 green chili, chopped (optional)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or yogurt
• 2 tbsp cooking oil or ghee
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
2. Add onions, garlic, ginger, and chili. Cook until onions turn golden.
3. Add turmeric, chili powder, and garam masala. Stir well.
4. Add spinach and cook until wilted, then blend into a smooth sauce.
5. Fry paneer cubes until golden and set aside.
6. Mix the spinach sauce and add cream or yogurt. Stir gently.
7. Add paneer cubes to the sauce and cook for 5 minutes on low heat.
8. Serve warm with rice or bread.

3) Mattar Paneer (Peas and Paneer)

Mattar Paneer is a North Indian dish that combines soft cubes of paneer with green peas. You cook the peas and paneer in a tomato-based gravy with spices like cumin, garam masala, and ginger.

Start by frying the paneer until golden. Then simmer it with peas in a rich sauce made from onions, tomatoes, and spices.

The gravy is smooth and thick, which helps the paneer soak up all the flavors. This meal goes great with rice or Indian bread like roti or naan.

It’s a great way to enjoy paneer with a touch of sweetness from the peas.

Ingredients

• 2 cups paneer, cut into cubes
• 1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil or ghee in a pan. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
2. Add chopped onions and ginger paste. Cook until onions turn golden.
3. Pour in the tomato puree and cook until oil separates.
4. Add turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Mix well.
5. Add peas and a little water. Cook until peas are soft.
6. Gently add paneer cubes and simmer for 5 minutes.
7. Garnish with fresh coriander before serving.

4) Paneer Makhani

Paneer Makhani is a creamy and mild curry that you can enjoy with naan or roti. It has soft paneer cubes cooked in a rich tomato and cashew gravy.

The sauce is buttery and slightly sweet. You can easily make this dish at home with simple ingredients.

The tomato and cashew base gives the curry its smooth texture. Cooking the paneer gently helps it soak up the flavors.

This dish is perfect when you want something comforting but still full of flavor.

Ingredients

• 400g paneer, cut into cubes
• 3 large tomatoes, pureed
• 1/4 cup cashews, soaked
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup fresh cream
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Blend soaked cashews with some water to make a smooth paste.
2. Heat butter in a pan, add ginger-garlic paste and sauté until fragrant.
3. Add tomato puree and cook for 8-10 minutes on medium heat.
4. Stir in cashew paste, chili powder, and salt. Cook until the oil separates.
5. Add cream and mix well.
6. Gently add paneer cubes and simmer for 5 minutes.
7. Sprinkle garam masala and garnish with coriander.
8. Serve warm with naan or roti.

For more details, you can check this Paneer Makhani recipe.

5) Paneer Pakora (Fritters)

Paneer pakora is a snack made with paneer cubes coated in a spiced chickpea flour batter. You fry these fritters until they turn crispy and golden brown.

They are perfect to enjoy with green chutney or ketchup. This recipe is simple and quick to make.

Just mix some basic spices into the batter to add flavor. The pakoras come out soft inside and crunchy outside, making them a popular choice for tea time or parties.

You can make them extra crispy by frying twice or adjusting the batter thickness. Serve them hot for the best taste.

Ingredients

• 200g paneer, cut into cubes
• 1 cup chickpea flour (besan)
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt to taste
• Water as needed
• Oil for deep frying

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix chickpea flour, chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, salt, and enough water to make a thick batter.
2. Heat oil in a pan for deep frying at about 350°F (175°C).
3. Dip each paneer cube into the batter, coating it completely.
4. Carefully drop them into hot oil and fry until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Remove and drain on paper towels.
6. Serve hot with your favorite chutney.

You can find more details and tips to make crispy paneer pakoras at Hebbars Kitchen.

6) Saag Paneer

Saag Paneer is a dish made with fresh spinach and soft paneer cheese. You cook the spinach with spices like turmeric and chili to give it a nice flavor.

The paneer is cut into cubes and tossed in the spiced greens. You can use other greens like mustard or kale if you want to mix it up.

The dish is creamy and filling. It pairs well with rice or flatbread.

Ingredients

• 450g paneer, cut into cubes
• 500g fresh spinach (or other greens)
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon chili powder (or Kashmiri chili powder)
• 1 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil or ghee in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add turmeric, chili powder, and salt. Stir for 30 seconds.
3. Add paneer cubes and gently toss to coat. Cook until lightly browned.
4. Add washed spinach. Cook until wilted and soft.
5. Stir everything together and simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Serve hot with rice or bread.

For more details on making this dish, check Saag Paneer recipes from Food Network or BBC Good Food.

7) Paneer Tikka

Paneer Tikka is an Indian snack made with cubes of paneer marinated in spiced yogurt. You grill it until the edges turn golden and slightly charred.

It’s a great appetizer or side dish to enjoy with chutney or salad. You can cook paneer tikka in an oven, air fryer, or on a stovetop grill pan.

The marinade usually has yogurt, spices like cumin and chili powder, and sometimes gram flour to help it stick well. Adding bell peppers and onions makes it colorful and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 500g paneer (cubed)
• 150g thick plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp gram flour (roasted)
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• 1 large red onion (cut into squares)
• 1 bell pepper (cut into squares)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix yogurt, spices, gram flour, lemon juice, and salt in a bowl.

2. Coat paneer, onion, and bell pepper with the marinade.

3. Marinate for at least 1 hour in the fridge.

4. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or prepare a grill pan.

5. Thread paneer and veggies onto skewers if using.

6. Grill or bake for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway.

7. Serve hot with chutney or salad.

You can try this simple and tasty recipe for a quick snack or party treat. For more details, check this restaurant-style paneer tikka.

8) Paneer Chili Dry

Paneer Chili Dry is a tasty Indo-Chinese dish. It has crispy paneer cubes mixed with crunchy bell peppers and onions.

The sauce is spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet. This gives the dish a great flavor.

Coat the paneer with cornflour and spices before frying. This gives the paneer a crispy texture.

Toss everything in a chili sauce made with soy sauce, garlic, and chili. The dish is quick to make and full of bold flavors.

Ingredients:

• 250g paneer, cut into cubes
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Toss paneer cubes with salt, chili powder, and cornflour.

2. Heat oil in a pan at medium-high heat (350°F / 175°C).

3. Fry paneer until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside.

4. In the same pan, sauté garlic, onion, and bell pepper.

5. Add soy sauce and chili sauce, mix well.

6. Add the fried paneer back and toss everything together.

7. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then serve hot.

For a detailed recipe, you can visit this restaurant style paneer chili dry recipe.

9) Paneer Sabzi (Dhaba Style)

Paneer Sabzi Dhaba Style is a simple and tasty dish you can make at home. It has soft paneer cubes cooked in a spicy onion and tomato gravy.

The flavors come from common Indian spices. These spices give it a warm and comforting taste.

First, sauté onions and ginger garlic paste. Then, add tomatoes and spices like turmeric and chili powder.

Mix in the paneer cubes and cook until the gravy thickens. This dish goes well with roti or rice.

Ingredients

• 20 paneer cubes
• 4 onions, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• Salt to taste
• 4 tbsp oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan on medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).

2. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.

3. Mix in ginger garlic paste and cook for 1 minute.

4. Add tomato puree, turmeric, chili powder, and salt. Cook until oil separates.

5. Add paneer cubes and garam masala. Stir gently.

6. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the gravy thickens.

7. Serve hot with your favorite bread or rice.

For more details, check this Dhaba Style Paneer Sabzi recipe.

10) Afghani Paneer

Afghani Paneer is a creamy and mildly spiced dish with soft paneer cubes. The sauce uses a rich paste of onions, ginger, garlic, and herbs like coriander and mint.

Warm spices such as cumin, garam masala, and a hint of cardamom or cinnamon add extra flavor. Cream or yogurt gives the dish a smooth, velvety texture.

This dish is light and tasty. It’s great served with naan or rice for a filling meal.

You can adjust the green chili to your taste. Keep it mild or make it a little spicy.

Ingredients

• 250 grams paneer, cut into cubes
• 1 large onion, cooked
• 1 inch ginger
• 3-4 garlic cloves
• ⅓ cup coriander leaves
• Few mint leaves
• 3-4 green chilies
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garam masala
• ¼ tsp cardamom or cinnamon
• ½ cup cream or yogurt
• 1½ tbsp oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Blend onion, ginger, garlic, coriander, mint, and chilies into a smooth paste.

2. Heat oil in a pan. Add the paste and cook for 5-7 minutes on medium heat.

3. Add cumin, garam masala, cardamom, and salt. Cook for 2 minutes.

4. Mix in cream or yogurt carefully. Simmer for 3 minutes.

5. Add paneer cubes. Gently coat them with the sauce.

6. Cook for another 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.

7. Serve hot with naan or rice.

For more details, check this Afghani Paneer recipe.