Vegetarian Meatballs with Pasta
Tender paneer and potato 'meatballs', spiced with classic Indian herbs, are simmered in a tangy tomato masala sauce and served over perfectly cooked pasta. A delightful fusion dish that brings the best of both worlds to your dinner table.
For 4 servings
Cook the pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tsp of salt for the pasta water.
- Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
- Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Prepare the vegetarian meatballs
- In a mixing bowl, combine the grated paneer, mashed potato, breadcrumbs, 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, 1/2 tsp coriander powder, 1/4 tsp red chili powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp chopped cilantro.
- Mix everything well until it forms a firm, workable dough.
- Divide the mixture into 12-16 equal portions and roll them into smooth, round balls.
Shallow fry the meatballs
- Heat 3 tbsp of oil in a wide pan or skillet over medium heat.
- Gently place the meatballs in the pan, ensuring not to overcrowd it. Fry in batches if necessary.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown and crisp on all sides.
- Remove the fried meatballs with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels.
Make the masala sauce
- In the same pan (remove excess oil, leaving about 1 tbsp), add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the remaining 1 tsp of ginger-garlic paste and cook for another minute until the raw smell disappears.
- Add the tomato puree, turmeric powder, remaining 1/2 tsp red chili powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Cook the masala for 5-6 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens and oil begins to separate from the sides.
Simmer and combine
- Stir in the dried oregano and sugar.
- Pour in 1 cup of water and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water.
- Carefully add the fried vegetarian meatballs to the sauce. Coat them gently with the gravy.
- Cover the pan and let it simmer on low heat for 4-5 minutes, allowing the meatballs to absorb the flavors.
Serve
- Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the sauce and meatballs.
- Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Garnish with the remaining 1 tbsp of fresh cilantro.
- Serve hot in bowls.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Ensure the boiled potato is well-mashed and not watery to help bind the meatballs.
- 2Do not overmix the meatball mixture, as this can make them dense.
- 3Fry the meatballs on medium heat to ensure they cook through without burning on the outside.
- 4Be very gentle when stirring the meatballs in the sauce to prevent them from breaking.
- 5Using reserved pasta water helps the sauce cling better to the pasta due to its starch content.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegan
Replace paneer with an equal amount of crumbled firm tofu. Ensure your breadcrumbs are vegan.
gluten freeGluten free
Use certified gluten-free pasta and gluten-free breadcrumbs for the meatballs.
healthyHealthy
Bake the meatballs in an oven or air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 15-20 minutes until golden, instead of shallow frying, to reduce oil.
kid friendlyKid friendly
Omit the red chili powder to make it non-spicy. You can add 1 tablespoon of tomato ketchup to the sauce for a slightly sweeter, milder flavor.
high proteinHigh protein
Add 1/4 cup of cooked and mashed chickpeas or red lentils to the meatball mixture for an extra protein boost.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Good Source of Protein
Paneer is a rich source of casein protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth.
Energy Boosting
The carbohydrates from pasta provide a quick and sustained source of energy to fuel your body and brain.
Rich in Lycopene
Tomatoes are packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
Frequently asked questions
This dish can be part of a balanced meal. It provides protein from paneer, carbohydrates for energy from pasta, and vitamins from tomatoes. To make it healthier, you can bake the meatballs instead of frying them and use whole wheat pasta.
