Top 10 Paneer Dishes Every Indian Food Lover Must Try

If there is one concern that creases the foreheads of working parents, it is preparing nourishing meals that are packed with flavour, and are of course quick to prepare. A lot of paneer dishes tick all the boxes for parents cooking delicious and healthy meals for the entire family. These dishes can be prepared for lunch and dinner both, and the leftovers can be repurposed into wraps, sandwiches or stuffed pakoras.

Of the different culinary ingredients that are part of Indian kitchens, one which is equal parts delicious and high in protein and nutrition is paneer. Master the knack of making paneer at home and you will never have to worry about fulfilling your protein intake without burning a hole through your pocket. Paneer dishes across the Indian subcontinent are layered with delicious tasting notes and aromas and some of these delights are dishes which can be prepared by working parents wanting quick meals for lunch and dinner. The leftovers also have the potential to be repurposed into sandwiches or wraps, making paneer dishes a must-try for every gastronome and for the busy parent, wanting to quickly prepare lunch tiffins and early dinners at home.

Paneer Bhurji

One of the most common and mouthwatering paneer recipes, the paneer bhurji is nothing but crumbled chunks of paneer tossed in a tempering of fragrant cumin, hing, turmeric, ginger-garlic paste and other assorted spices. A hack to make paneer bhurji creamier is frying just a little bit of besan or gram flour in hot oil before adding spices and vegetables to the tempering. Quick to prepare, paneer bhurji can be whipped up in minutes by busy parents. One can get started on the paneer, the other on making warm phulkas to swiftly pack a lunchbox for school and work alike.

Shortcut Paneer Butter Masala

This recipe involves adding a pre-made tomato purée and cream mixture to a rice cooker or a casserole so the gravy cooks on its own, without fuss. A tempering of bay leaves and some cashews and raisins will introduce a luxurious touch into the classic gravy. Creamy, mildly sweet and basically approved by children, paneer butter masala can be made at dinner, served with warm wheat rotis and salad. 

Matar Paneer

Paneer curries abound in the roster of Indian cuisine. That’s because Indian cottage cheese is a very versatile protein which goes well with a lot of desi flavours. One such light, fragrant and aromatic curry is matar paneer that brings together fresh peas with the paneer in a gravy that is mild and comforting. Matar paneer can be made quickly in a pressure cooker by pooling all ingredients together, and it can be packed as a lunchtime staple with a side of rotis or phulkas.

Chilli Paneer

A one-pan recipe that’s perfect for quick dinners when parents come home from work, chilli paneer brings together chunks of cottage cheese with spring onions, capsicum and carrots in a wok. Laced with soy sauce, ginger and garlic and some toasted sesame, a bowl of chilli paneer served with steamed rice can turn into a no-fuss dinner on a busy evening.

Kadai Paneer

One of the most delicious sabzis to emerge from Indian and Mughlai kitchens, kadai paneer brings a smoky and savoury effect into a preparation infused with the aromas of complex desi masalas. A quick recipe to prepare, the kadai paneer involves bringing together all essential ingredients in stir-fry style in the eponymous kadai. The simple, rustic sabzi derives its flavour from big slices of onions and capsicums that are added along with the paneer to the dish.

Air Fryer Paneer Tikka

On days when busy parents wish to prepare something delicious for the family, an air fryer paneer tikka can become a quick and delicious option. Marinate the paneer in a mix of curd, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, red chilli powder and other assorted spices. Grill or air fry it as per taste preferences. The tikka can be packed in a tiffin box with some jeera rice or it can be served as a starter at dinner with a quickly made warm soup.

Paneer Tava Pulao

What’s interesting about this dish is that it can be prepared in a slightly deep pan or tava, which bestows this name upon the rice. Chopped onions, tomatoes and ginger-garlic paste can be used to flavour the paneer pulao. But what brings a spiced and umami touch into the recipe is a sprinkling of pav bhaji masala. This infuses the quick, one-dish meal with lipsmacking flavours of the popular street food that will be enjoyed by the whole family. 

Desi Paneer Stir-Fry

No need to make a gravy or wait too long for veggies to cook. Just like the Asian-inspired chilli paneer, this stir-fry is quick to make, except it is seasoned with Indian flavours. Think garam masala, ginger-garlic paste, a hint of Kashmiri chilli powder and some kasuri methi as ingredients that build savoury, spicy touches into the paneer recipe. A must-try for busy parents as a dinnertime staple that can be served with warm dal rice, paneer stir-fry is comforting, warm and straightforward enough to cook on busy days.

Paneer Salad

A recipe which is fast becoming popular for its flavour and its nourishing properties, paneer salad can be prepared on busy mornings as a lunchbox staple that goes with a side of lemon rice or curd rice made from leftovers. Lightly tossed paneer, seasoned with salt, black pepper and turmeric, can be mixed with baby corn, lettuce, olives, onions, capsicum and carrots – all of which are tossed in a vinaigrette made using lime juice, olive oil, diced garlic and a dash of mustard.

Paneer Wrap

One of the easiest on-the-go paneer meals to prepare, the paneer wrap is so versatile that every busy parent can come up with their own recipe according to whatever is available in the kitchen at a given moment. Flatbreads can be stuffed with grated purple cabbage, carrots and onions along with paneer sautéed lightly in garam masala and some red chilli powder. The wrap can either be grilled in a sandwich toaster or placed on a pan for roasting. A well-made paneer wrap can quickly become a favourite on rushed evenings.