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    Home » Instant Pot Recipes » Instant Pot Paneer Gravy with Pasta Sauce | Paneer Curry

    Instant Pot Paneer Gravy with Pasta Sauce | Paneer Curry

    Posted on February 11, 2023 · Last Updated on February 11, 2023 · By Srividhya G · 22 Comments

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    paneer curry for pinterest with text overlay

    Quick and easy Indian paneer curry/gravy made with pasta sauce in Instant Pot! Serve it with rice or any Indian flatbread for a delicious meal.

    close up overhead shot of paneer curry with pasta sauce served in brassware with roti

    Disclaimer: This is a semi-homemade recipe made without any authentic Indian ingredients. I am not claiming this to be a traditional or authentic recipe, but I can assure you that it’s delicious and easy to make when the time is pressing. This paneer curry is a perfect weeknight dinner recipe that’s a keeper. 

    Jump to:
    • Pasta sauce & curry powder for a paneer curry
    • Ingredients & substitutions
    • Dietary specifications 
    • How to make Instant Pot paneer curry with pasta sauce
    • Recipe Notes
    • More paneer recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Pasta sauce & curry powder for a paneer curry

    Necessity is the mother of invention, which drove me to make this paneer curry. I am sharing how I came up with this recipe. 

    Usually, the week before travel, especially the India trip, is always crazy and hectic with last-minute shopping and packing. Also, I usually clean up my fridge and try to use all the vegetables. I had an 8 oz paneer pack and was planning on making a stir-fry. But the kiddo asked for paneer gravy instead of stir-fry. 

    Pasta sauce/ Marinara sauce instead of tomatoes

    I did not want to buy tomatoes just for this gravy, and that’s when the half-used pasta (traditional tomato-based pasta sauce) sauce caught my attention. I decided to use that as my tomato base. Even though I was a bit skeptical but on a whim, I went with my idea. :-)

    Curry powder to spice up the gravy

    Also, I used store-bought curry powder. I know there is no such thing called curry powder in India. The curious me bought some curry powder, which I use for a few dishes. But You can replace that with a coriander powder + chili powder combo, or you can use any other store-bought paneer masalas like shahi paneer masala or paneer tikka masala. You can play with your favorite flavors here.

    Verdict

    I know this gravy has a lot of experimental ingredients, but guess what? The recipe passed with distinction, and it came out with flying colors. Wondering who judged this recipe; of course, my dear son, who was eight years then. This paneer curry with pasta/pizza/marinara (yes, I have tried all these) has become a staple in our household, and I am sharing the same. I used my instant pot to make the process quick, but you can also prepare this on the stovetop. I have explained that as well below. 

    paneer curry close up shot served in brassware with spoon inside

    Ingredients & substitutions

    Oil and cumin seeds: We start the curry preparation by tempering, and we need oil and cumin seeds for the same. 

    Onion: We need one cup of chopped onion, and you can use red, white, or yellow onions. I have used red onions. 

    Spices: We only need ground turmeric and curry powder for this recipe. 

    Pasta or marinara sauce: While I prefer marinara sauce for this recipe, you can also use pasta, marinara, or pizza sauce. 

    Paneer: I have used 8-oz paneer cut into cubes. You can use tofu or mushrooms instead of paneer.

    Dried fenugreek leaves: This is the key ingredient; please do not skip it. Dried fenugreek leaves or kasoori methi help mask that light basil flavor from pizza or pasta sauce. 

    Green peas: I used a handful of green peas to make it more like matar paneer, but that’s optional. 

    Apart from these ingredients, we need salt, sugar, water, and some cream or milk. 

    Please check the recipe card for exact measurements.

    Dietary specifications 

    This paneer curry is a vegetarian curry which gluten-free and nut-free. For a vegan version, use tofu or mushroom and skip the cream. You can use plant-based milk instead of cream.

    This curry stays good for two to three days in the refrigerator. You can enjoy this with roti, paratha, kulcha, or rice. 

    How to make Instant Pot paneer curry with pasta sauce

    • Set the Instant Pot in saute mode. Add the oil, and when it is hot, add the cumin seeds. Let the cumin seeds crackle, add the chopped onions, and saute until they turn translucent. Turn off the Instant Pot.
    sauteing onions
    • Then add the pasta sauce, turmeric powder, curry powder, sugar, salt, chopped paneer, and green peas if using.
    adding other ingredients
    • Add water and mix them well. 
    curry mixed together
    • Close the Instant Pot. Ensure the sealing ring is in place and set the vent to the sealing position. Cook the soup at high-pressure manual/pressure cook mode for 3 minutes, and after the cooking is done, wait for two minutes and release the pressure. 
    • Open the Instant Pot, mix the gravy nicely, and then set the IP back to saute mode.
    • Now add the cream, crushed kasoori methi, and chopped cilantro.
    adding cream, kasoori methi, cilantro
    • Let it simmer for a couple of minutes, and that’s it. Instant Pot Paneer gravy is ready. Serve hot with rice and roti.
    cooked paneer gravy

    Stove Top Method

    • Heat the kadai and add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds. Let the cumin seeds crackle, add the chopped onions, and saute until they turn translucent.
    • Then add the pasta sauce, turmeric powder, curry powder, sugar, salt, chopped paneer, and peas. Mix them well and add water.
    • Let this simmer for about 7 minutes. Keep stirring the mix every two minutes.
    • Once the gravy has thickened, add the cream, crushed kasoori methi, and chopped cilantro.
    • Let it simmer for a couple of minutes, and that’s it.

    Recipe Notes

    • Sugar is completely optional.
    • Instead of curry powder, you can use coriander powder + chili powder combo, shahi paneer masala, or paneer tikka masala mix.
    • Adjust the salt and spice as per your preference.
    • For this recipe, I used the marinara sauce with no added veggies. It’s just the basil-flavored pasta sauce. You can use pizza sauce or any other flavored pasta sauce. 
    partial shot of paneer gravy served with roti

    More paneer recipes

    • Paneer Butter Masala | Paneer Makhani
    • Paneer Do Pyaza Recipe
    • Paneer Curry With Kolhapuri Masala | Kolhapuri Paneer
    • Paneer Lababdar

    PS:  If you try this Instant Pot paneer curry, please don’t forget to comment and rate this recipe. Please comment if you have any questions, and I will get to it ASAP. Follow me on my Pinterest for more healthy and delicious ideas! Follow me on Instagram or join my Facebook Group for more recipe updates! You can also sign-up for my newsletter for weekly updates.

    📖 Recipe

    square image for paneer curry served in brassware with roti
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    5 from 3 votes

    Instant Pot Paneer Gravy with Pasta Sauce | Easy Paneer Curry

    Quick and easy Indian paneer curry/gravy made with pasta sauce in Instant Pot! Serve it with rice or any Indian flatbread for a delicious meal.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Main Course, roti accompaniments, sides
    Cuisine: Fusion, North Indian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 183kcal
    Author: Srividhya G

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients

    Measurement Details: 1 cup = 240ml; 1 tbsp = 15ml; 1 tsp = 5ml;

    • 1 tbsp oil
    • 1 tsp cumin seeds
    • 1 cup onion chopped
    • 8 oz paneer cubed
    • ¼ cup green peas if using frozen, thaw it at room temperature
    • 1.5 cups pasta or marinara sauce
    • ¼ tsp ground turmeric
    • 1 tbsp curry powder or to taste
    • 1 tsp salt
    • ½ tsp sugar
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 tbsp cilantro chopped
    • 2 tsp dried fenugreek leaves crushed
    • 2 tbsp cream

    Instructions

    • Set the Instant Pot in saute mode. Add the oil, and when it is hot, add the cumin seeds. Let the cumin seeds crackle, add the chopped onions, and saute until they turn translucent. Turn off the Instant Pot.
    • Then add the pasta sauce, turmeric powder, curry powder, sugar, salt, chopped paneer, and green peas if using.
    • Add water and mix them well.
    • Close the Instant Pot. Ensure the sealing ring is in place and set the vent to the sealing position. Cook the soup at high-pressure manual/pressure cook mode for 3 minutes, and after the cooking is done, wait for two minutes and release the pressure.
    • Open the Instant Pot, mix the gravy nicely, and then set the IP back to saute mode.
    • Now add the cream, crushed kasoori methi, and chopped cilantro. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes, and that’s it. Instant Pot Paneer gravy is ready. Serve hot with rice and roti.

    Stove Top Method:

    • Heat the kadai and add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds. Let the cumin seeds crackle, add the chopped onions, and saute until they turn translucent.
    • Then add the pasta sauce, turmeric powder, curry powder, sugar, salt, chopped paneer, and peas. Mix them well and add water.
    • Let this simmer for about 7 minutes. Keep stirring the mix every two minutes.
    • Once the gravy has thickened, add the cream, crushed kasoori methi, and chopped cilantro.
    • Let it simmer for a couple of minutes, and that’s it.

    Notes

    • Sugar is completely optional.
    • Instead of curry powder, you can use coriander powder + chili powder combo, shahi paneer masala, or paneer tikka masala mix.
    • Adjust the salt and spice as per your preference.
    • For this recipe, I used the marinara sauce with no added veggies. It’s just the basil-flavored pasta sauce. You can use pizza sauce or any other flavored pasta sauce. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 693mg | Potassium: 264mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 404IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 210mg | Iron: 1mg

    I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @vidhyasvegetariankitchen or tag #vidhyasvegkitchen
    For Video RecipesCheck out My YouTube Channel

    Update Notes: Earlier posted on 2017. Now updated the post with step-wise pictures and recipe card.

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    Filed Under: Fusion, Gravy, Instant Pot Recipes Tagged With: how to make paneer gravy with pasta sauce, how to prepare paneer gravy in instant pot, how to use pasta sauce as tomato base, how to use pasta sauce for indian gravies, Instant Pot Indian Recipes, instant pot paneer gravy, paneer gravy, paneer gravy with pasta sauce, Paneer Recipes, pasta sauce paneer gravy

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Radha says

      February 22, 2023 at 8:32 pm

      5 stars
      I do make it like this for a quick fix meal to serve with rice, roti, or pasta. This is always a hit in our home.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        March 04, 2023 at 6:26 am

        Thanks Radha. :-)

        Reply
    2. Kimberly says

      July 29, 2021 at 7:42 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing recipe! So easy to make. I used cumin powder instead of the seeds and didn’t have any fenugreek so I substituted with dry mustard powder. It was already tasty without the dry mustard. I will definitely be making this again! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        July 30, 2021 at 10:59 am

        Thank you. Glad it worked out. :-)

        Reply
    3. Jagruti says

      August 30, 2017 at 7:56 am

      This recipe is great for students who has very less time on their hand, nice one!

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        August 30, 2017 at 11:05 am

        Thanks J.

        Reply
    4. Soniya says

      August 30, 2017 at 5:59 am

      Hmm… Love instant pot dishes and this one is definitely a keeper!

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        August 30, 2017 at 11:06 am

        True. Thanks Soniya

        Reply
    5. Jayashree says

      August 30, 2017 at 2:59 am

      This is different and easy to make. Looks tasty Vidya.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        August 30, 2017 at 11:09 am

        Thanks Jayashree

        Reply
    6. afroz261 says

      August 29, 2017 at 10:10 pm

      Paneer is my favorite vegetarian protein. This gravy looks so creamy and delicious. Will try it soon.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        August 30, 2017 at 11:06 am

        Thanks. Please do let me know how you liked it.

        Reply
    7. Uma Srinivas says

      August 29, 2017 at 7:52 pm

      Easy and delicious recipe. I will make these with vegan options.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        August 30, 2017 at 11:07 am

        Thanks Uma. Yeah I need to try the vegan version too.

        Reply
    8. Aish Das-Padihari says

      August 29, 2017 at 1:44 pm

      My 5 year old loves to eat paneer. I will try your recipe.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        August 30, 2017 at 11:09 am

        Thanks Aish. Please do try.

        Reply
    9. Sudha says

      July 28, 2017 at 9:04 am

      Tried this last evening and kids loved it. Thanks for the great idea for a quick fix dinner.:)

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        July 29, 2017 at 10:03 pm

        Thanks a lot Sudha. Glad you liked it. :-) Your comment made my day.

        Reply
    10. Chitra Sundaram says

      July 21, 2017 at 2:14 am

      Hi Vidya, I have nominated you for the award of Awesome Blogger. Congratulations! Visit the post https://wordpress.com/post/chitrasrecipes.wordpress.com/5326 for more details. Hope you do your nominations as well, even if you don’t it’s fine.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        July 23, 2017 at 6:40 am

        Thanks. Will do it soon.

        Reply
    11. lathiya says

      July 18, 2017 at 12:50 pm

      Wow..Easy and interesting twist of using pasta sauce..looks great

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        July 20, 2017 at 7:10 pm

        Thanks Lathi.

        Reply

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