Indian Style Masala Pasta

Masala pasta is a delicious and flavorful Indian style pasta with curried vegetable masala. This is a super quick recipe that you can make in 20 minutes, vegan and gluten free too.

This is such a kid friendly pasta recipe that you can pack in lunch or serve for quick dinner.

Some more delicious pasta recipes you might like to try are spinach sauce pasta, pumpkin pasta, easy veg cheese pasta.

Pasta recipes are always a hit with kids and my kid is no exception. She can have pasta day in and out.

Instead of making cream laden white sauce pasta always, I make many variations to make it healthier and sneak in veggies as much as possible. This masala pasta recipe with loaded vegetables is something we all enjoy.

I make this Indian style masala pasta recipe for quick dinner or weekend brunch. Once you have chopped vegetables ready, you can make the masala and cook the pasta side by side. Once done, toss and serve. So good pasta in 20 minutes flat.

This is a very versatile recipe. You can throw in whatever you fancy into the masala and it comes out good every single time.

Have no vegetables handy? No problem, this masala pasta tastes good just with onions and tomatoes too.

Got fuzzy eaters at home? Sneak in as many vegetables as possible and watch them disappear in a flash 🙂

See the options are even more, I have given many variations in the notes section, don’t miss it.

Here I have used carrot and bell peppers along with onion and tomato. I also make one more variation of this pasta with paneer, I will share that here too.

Just like with vegetables, you can also use any type of pasta here. I have used organic durum wheat pasta. You can also pasta for specific dietary requirements like gluten free pasta, pasta made with millet quinoa etc,

This is a delicious meal on its won and does not require any side. For kids you can serve with a simple yogurt dip to cut down the spices.

This Masala Pasta Is

Delicious pasta recipe cooked in Indian style

vegan recipe

can be made gluten free by just using gluten free pasta

wholesome meal for kids

healthier loaded with vegetables

Gets ready in 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Apart from pasta you need very few ingredients typically used in Indian cooking for this Indian style masala pasta recipe.

Pasta– Any variety of pasta can be used. While making for kids you can use tiny pasta varieties like macroni, ditalini for the ease of eating. You can also penne pasta or mini penne pasta to make masala pasta.

Here I have used farfalle or bow tie pasta made of organic durum wheat. Whichever pasta you use, make sure to cook it al dente according to package instructions. With every brand of pasta, cooking time varies a bit.

For Masala- The base for this masala pasta recipe is onions and tomatoes. Just like many Indian masala curries, here also we are going to saute onions and tomatoes with spice powders.

You can also add 2 tablespoon tomato sauce for color and flavor.

Vegetables– vegetable are optional but I highly recommend in this recipe. You can add vegetables like carrot, green peas, corn, bell peppers, beans, broccoli in this recipe. To increase the volume and keep this dish more substantial, do not chop the veggies very fine.

Also make sure to blanch green peas and corn if using.

Spice powders– All the regulars you use for Indian curries. Ground turmeric, roasted ground coriander, ground cumin, red chili powder, garam masala powder.

All these spice powders can be added or left out as per taste. You can also vary the proportions. While making for kids, you can add very less red chili powder or leave it out too. Instead add a dash of freshly cracked pepper powder.

Other ingredients– Minced ginger garlic, chopped cilantro and some lemon juice.

How To Make Indian Style Pasta?

Here is a quick briefing of recipe for Indian pasta. It gets ready in minutes. The prep time is also very less for this recipe.

You have to basically make a masala base by sauteing ginger garlic, onions and tomatoes with spice powders. Next in goes the chopped veggies and cook till they turn soft.

Finally add cooked pasta and toss well. Finish with chopped cilantro leaves and lemon juice. Yummy masala pasta ready!

Check out the step by step instructions below.

Step By Step Method

Cooking pasta

Bring a large pot of water to rolling boil.

Add few drops of oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix well.

Add the measured pasta and mix well.

Cook until it turns soft with a light bite (al dente) Durum pasta usually gets cooked in 8-12 minutes depending on the size, quantity and brand used.

Once cooked, drain excess water after reserving around 1/4 cup pasta cooked water.

Keep covered until use.

Making Masala For Pasta

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds.

Next add slit green chili, minced ginger garlic. Saute for a minute.

Add sliced onions and saute for 2 minutes.

Now add finely chopped tomatoes. For a super smooth pasta you can blanch and puree the tomatoes but for quick weeknight dinners, I just add chopped tomatoes.

Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, ground coriander, ground cumin.

Mix well and saute for 7-8 minutes or until the tomatoes are well cooked and oil separates from sides. Add chopped vegetables and mix well.

Add salt to taste and cook for another 5-6 minutes or until the vegetables turn soft.

How To Make Masala Pasta

Now once the veggies are well cooked, add cooked pasta. Now add 2-3 tablespoons of pasta cooked water and mix well.

Toss well, add chopped cilantro or coriander leaves and lemon juice. Adjust salt if required.

Mix well and serve Indian style masala pasta hot.

 

Variations With The Recipe

You can use any pulao base like paneer butter or palak paneer pulao and make this pasta. Just use al dente pasta and toss instead of rice.

You can add a handful of cubed paneer or tofu in masala pasta. Adding paneer is especially a great way to increase protein if you are serving this as main meal.

Sometimes I also add boiled chickpeas in this recipe. You can also mushrooms.

When making masala pasta for kids you can skip chili powder and add pepper powder also.

Tips For Making Indian Style Masala Pasta

While cooking pasta do add few drops of oil to avoid sticking and breaking of cooked pasta.

Adding few tablespoons of pasta cooked water prevents the dish from getting dry and also makes it more tasty.

You can any of your favorite vegetables like corn, peas in this recipe. It will be attractive to kids too.

If not vegan, you can use butter to saute the veggies to enhance flavor. On the same note you can also add some cream after cooking veggies.

I hope you will try this indian style masala pasta recipe and enjoy as much as we did. Please give a star rating ★ in the recipe card below. Follow us on Pinterest , Instagram, Facebook   for more recipes and ideas