Baked Malai Paneer Pasta

This is a cheesy pasta dish loaded with paneer, not just paneer, the most addictive malai paneer, and the sauce also has the touch of malai curry. This is a totally comforting dish that can be called Indian baked paneer mac and cheese.

Malai Paneer Tikka, a version of paneer tikka that is not the fiery red colored one, is equivalently tasty, and as the name suggests, this pasta dish is loaded with the flavors from the paneer dish. Instead of marinating and grilling, the onions, bell pepper, and paneer are sauteed quickly, just to tender crisp perfection as they cook in the oven while baking too.

Malai means cream, and we have traditional paneer curries with malai or white sauce and the cheese sauce for this pasta is based on that. This eggless Indian alfredo sauce with a touch of ginger, garlic, and Kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves) is a perfect one to pour on pasta and devour. Spinach and Paneer Stuffed Shells in Malai sauce has a similar sauce that makes an addictive meal too. Or add a little of curry powder or garam masala and make this Curried Alfredo Pasta for yet another comforting meal that you might want to make often.

This recipe uses shell pasta that is medium sized. Macaroni also works. Smaller pasta are ideal for this bake but penne or bowties can also be used instead. 

Pasta, sauce, Malai paneer, and shredded mozzarella are layered in a dish just like how a lasagna is done. This makes it even better when you dig in and find layers of paneer, pasta covered in sauce, and the cheese stringy. Can you imagine anything even better than this? Well, this is it! Try this for once, and I can assure you that this will be repeated in your home just like in ours.

This comforting baked malai paneer pasta is a tasty meal that will make everyone go for seconds. It is a great choice to make when you are planning to feed for a crowd. The ingredient list may look long but it does take the same time as it would take for a simple layered pasta.  

The ingredients are also most pantry staples. With bell peppers and paneer, a non-melting Indian cheese, whip up this delicious meal. With the colors of Christmas foods, this is an ideal one to make when you have vegetarian guests. Malai Paneer Tikka, Vegan Baby Potato Kurma, Vegan Coconut Milk Pulao, Eggless Peppermint Cake, White Chocolate and Candy Cane Kheer are also great options to make for christmas.  This pasta dish is medium spicy. The Thai chili can be adjusted according to the preferred heat level. The leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days and will be handy when you have a busy day. 

Two years back, I made this Garlicky Christmas Fettucine after watching the movie, The Holiday. The fettuccine pasta had red and green colored veggies in a white sauce. This year, during the holidays, we watched the movie, Klaus. Debra is hosting an event in our #Movies&Munchies group, and this month the selected movie was Klaus. We watch a movie and make food inspired by the movie and share it in our blog. Klaus is a great animated movie to watch with the whole family. With a clever plot by the postman to get enough mails, he learns more and helps in uniting the community too. The movie also speaks about determination, kindness, and selfless acts. ”A true selfless act always sparks another” - this message from the movie will stick to anyone for sure. It is a movie that I would recommend anyone to watch. Especially, around the holidays we watch Christmas movies and this is worth it all.

This is December and this is the month of Bakeathon 2022. Every year for Bakeathon, we share delicious baked recipes that can be a meal, side, dessert, snack. Anything baked works. We share every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of the month, yes we share 13 recipes. Here are the recipe, I have shared so far.

Pumpkin Banana Bread

 

Eggless Banana Almond Gingerbread

 

Pandesal

 

Samosa Chaat Pizza

 

Cheese Hatch Chile Tamale Cups

Cranberry Gingerbread Rolls

Roasted Tandoori Spice Vegetables

Tutti Fruity Sweet Rolls

Baked Millet Handvo

If you like the flavors of the cheesy baked pasta, here are a few pasta recipes with a different flavor profiles that you might love to try.

Baked Gnocchi With Tomatoes and Basil

Spicy Baked Mac and Cheese

Mexican Pasta Bake

Baked Feta Pasta

Garlicky Christmas Fettucine

I am also linking this to Wonderful Wednesday, Full Plate Thursday, and Thursday Favorite Things.

Ingredients

Serves 6-8

To cook Pasta

Pasta - 1 lb

Water

Oil - 2 tbsp

Salt

Ginger-Garlic-Chili Paste

Ginger - 3-in piece, chopped

Garlic - 6 cloves

Green chili - 6

Water - 2 to 3 tbsp

For Malai Paneer Tikka

Paneer - 2 cups, 1/2-in cunes

Green bell pepper - 1.5 cups, cut into1-in 

Red bell pepper - 1.5 cups, cut into 1-in pieces

Onion - 1.5 cups, cut into 1-in pieces

Oil - 1 tbsp

Yogurt - 3 tbsp

Heavy cream - 3 tbsp

Black pepper - 1/2tsp

Salt - 3/4 tsp

Cumin- 1 tsp

Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp

Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp

Ginger-garlic paste - 1/2 of the above

Kasoori methi - 1 tbsp

For the Malai Sauce

Butter - 2 tbsp

Ginger - 1 tsp, chopped fine

Garlic - 1 tsp, chopped fine

Ginger-garlic chili paste - 1/2 from above

All purpose flour - 3 tbsp

Black pepper - 1/2 tsp

Salt - 1 tsp

Milk - 3 cups

Heavy cream - 1/2 cup

Mozzarella cheese - 1 cup, shredded

Kasoori Methi - 1 tbsp

To assemble

All of the above

Mozzarella cheese - 2 cups, shredded

Method

Grind the ginger, garlic, and Thai chilies to a paste with 2-3 tablespoons of water. 

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, and drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil.

Heat oil in a pan, add the cumin followed by half if the ginger-garlic paste. Cook for a minute. Add the onions and bell peppers , mix, and cook for 2-3 minutes. 

Heat butter in a heavy bottomed pan. Add the chopped ginger snd garlic, fry for 30 seconds. Add the remaining ginger-garlic-chili paste and cook for a minute.

Add the salt, cumin, and coriander powder, followed by cream and paneer. Combine thoroughly and cook for 3 minutes. 

Add the flour and cook it in butter for 30 seconds to a minute. Add the milk whisking continuously so that lumps are not formed. When it thickens snd begins to boil, add the cream, mix well..

Switch off the flame, add a cup of shredded mozzarella and whisk to make a smooth, creamy, and cheesy sauce.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

For layering: add about half cup of the sauce to the bottom of the baking dish. Add half the pasta, then add half the bell pepper paneer mixture as a layer, followed by a cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Repeat the layers once again topping with another cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-27 minutes. If the top browns quickly, cover with a foil and remove it during the last 5 minutes. The mixture should be bubbly with all the cheese melted. 

Remove from the oven. Garnish with extra methi if preferred, and  serve hot/warm.