Cottage Cheese Recipes Indian Style

Written by
Petrina Verma Sarkar
Food writer Petrina Verma Sarkar is a native of India with extensive knowledge of the country's regional cuisines.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Petrina Verma Sarkar
Updated 06/23/20
Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese)

Veena Nair / Getty Images

In India, cottage cheese is the perfect alternative for vegetarians! Paneer (the name it is known by in India), is often homemade in big blocks (not runny as in the rest of the world) and then cut into cubes or slices. Its delicate milky flavor easily absorbs and adapts to the flavors of other ingredients used in a dish with it. As a result, it is very versatile. Here are a few of my favorite Paneer recipes. Enjoy!

  • 01 of 13

    How to Make Paneer

    Homemade Paneer

    Lakshmi Wennäkoski-Bielicki / Getty Images

    Nothing beats the taste of fresh, homemade paneer! First things first. Learn how to make paneer.

  • 02 of 13

    Palak Paneer

    Palak Paneer

     Christine Glade / Getty Images

    This mildly flavored palak paneer dish is super healthy too. If paneer is not on hand or you want a dairy-free option you can also use tofu or veggies like cauliflower or potato.

  • 03 of 13

    Mutter Paneer

    Mutter paneer peas cottage cheese

    The Spruce

    This North Indian curry made with mutter (peas) and paneer (cottage cheese) is probably the most frequently ordered dish in Indian restaurants. Make mutter paneer in your home and you've got a sure crowd pleaser!

  • 04 of 13

    Navratan Korma

    Navratan Korma

     Nociveglia/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

    This delicious Mughlai dish gets its name Navratan (meaning nine gems) from the nine different veggies, fruit, and nuts used in it! Serve navratan korma with hot Naans and you're sure to impress!

    Continue to 5 of 13 below.
  • 05 of 13

    Tandoori Paneer Tikka

    Tandoori Paneer Tikka recipe

    The Spruce

    Soft, juicy chunks of paneer marinated in Tandoori masala and then grilled with veggies! Tandoori paneer tikka is a great dish to serve at your next barbecue.

  • 06 of 13

    Paneer Kabab

    Veg kababs
    pandiyan v / Getty Images

    This simple paneer kabab dish can be made ahead of time and grilled quickly when you're ready to eat.

  • 07 of 13

    Paneer Paratha

    Aaloo (Potato) Paratha
    Aaloo Paratha.

    Aparna Balasubramanian / Getty Images

    Use fresh crumbly paneer for this to get a lovely creamy taste for paneer paratha!

  • 08 of 13

    Toasty Paneer Sandwich

    Paneer Dhokla Sandwich with green chillies

    Sayantan Sarkar / Moment Open / Getty Images

    A yummy and nutritious snack, this toasty paneer sandwich can be made up in minutes. It is great for breakfast, brunch and even school lunch boxes.

    Continue to 9 of 13 below.
  • 09 of 13

    Chilli Paneer

    Chilli Paneer

    Photosindia.com / Getty Images

    This delicious chilli paneer dish is an Indian adaptation of a Chinese recipe! It makes for a terrific snack! Here's the recipe...

  • 10 of 13

    Paneer Szechuan

    Paneer Szechuan - Indo-Sichuan Style Paneer

    Veryhuman / Wikimedia Commons

    This easy recipe uses previously prepared Indo-Chinese Szechuan Sauce that can be made ahead and stored in your fridge for future use. Guests will love this paneer Szechuan!

  • 11 of 13

    Rasgulla

    Rasguilia Indian dessert recipe

    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

    Soft, spongy balls of cottage cheese soaked in chilled sugar syrup...Nicely made Rasgulla melts in your mouth and leaves you wanting more...always!

  • 12 of 13

    Rasmalai

    Ras Malai

     

    Uzma Alam / EyeEm/ Getty Images 

    Probably my favorite dessert, Ras Malai is dumplings made from cottage or ricotta cheese soaked in sweetened, thickened milk delicately flavored with cardamom.

    Continue to 13 of 13 below.
  • 13 of 13

    Sandesh

    Sandesh mishti

    Manubahuguna | Dreamstime.com

    No Bengali meal is complete without mishti or sweets and none is more loved by the Bengalis than Sandesh. It is surprisingly easy to make.