30 Paneer Recipes List | Indian Paneer Dishes With Pictures

Looking for Indian, vegetarian paneer recipes? This paneer varieties list includes popular Indian paneer dishes such as quick paneer gravies for chapathi and roti, restaurant-style paneer curries, dry starters, snacks for kids, breakfast recipes, rice varieties and paneer sweets. Whether you are searching for paneer gravy recipes for chapati, easy lunch box ideas or a comprehensive paneer dishes name list for special occasions, this paneer recipes list has plenty of easy and delicious options to try at home.

Paneer, also known as Indian cottage cheese, is one of the most versatile ingredients used in Indian cooking. From rich, creamy restaurant-style paneer gravy recipes like Paneer Butter Masala and Shahi Paneer to quick snacks like Cutlet and Sandwich, there are countless ways to enjoy it. In this collection, I have shared my tried and tested easy paneer recipes for beginners that are perfect with step by step pictures.

I never thought I would eventually create a collection of 30 paneer recipes on my food blog. In my family, nobody was a big fan of paneer. While most kids love paneer dishes, my daughter Raksha was just the opposite and avoided paneer recipes until she was six years old. So paneer appeared very rarely in my kitchen.

Over the years, things slowly changed. My husband Sendhil started enjoying restaurant style paneer recipes after learning about their health benefits and Raksha began asking for paneer dishes after seeing her classmates bring them in their lunch boxes. That encouraged me to experiment with different paneer varieties including Restaurant style Paneer Butter Masala, Mughlai Paneer Kurma, Paneer Makhani, Shahi Paneer, Paneer 65, Paneer Tikka, Chilli Paneer, Paneer Bonda, Paneer Cutlet, Paneer Sandwich, Paneer Dosa and Paneer Biryani and paneer snacks for kids.

Today, paneer dishes have become one of our family favorites. Here I have shared a collection of 25 easy paneer recipes that are tried, tested and loved by my family. I will continue to update this list whenever I try and post new paneer recipes. Browse through the collection and find your favorite paneer dish with step-by-step pictures.

Check out my South Indian Kurma Varieties for chapathi and Poori if interested.

INDIAN PANEER RECIPES – COLLECTION

Homemade Paneer / How to make Paneer at home

Check out the paneer recipes below but before that lets see how to make paneer at home. You can make soft and fresh paneer/ cottage cheese at home. Click the picture below for detailed recipe.

Paneer Gravy Recipes For Chapati & Roti

Paneer gravy recipes are perfect side dish for chapati, roti, naan, kulcha and jeera rice. From restaurant-style paneer butter masala to rich Mughlai paneer kurma, these recipes are easy to prepare at home and are ideal for lunch and dinner. Click on the images to take you to detailed recipe.

White Paneer Korma

A luxurious, mildly sweet restaurant style paneer gravy infused with saffron, curd, and a silky cashew-tomato paste. It stands out as a top-tier paneer recipe for chapathi or paratha, making it a spectacular centerpiece for festive family thalis and special occasions

Restaurant style Shahi Paneer

An incredibly smooth, creamy simple paneer gravy for chapati featuring a luscious white sauce base made from milk, poppy seeds and cashews. It’s an excellent easy paneer recipe for beginners looking for a sweet, fragrant and non-spicy curry that kids will absolutely love in their lunch boxes.

Paneer Korma Recipe ( Mughlai )

A majestic, royal restaurant style paneer gravy made with a rich blend of cashews and aromatic whole spices. This velvety dish is the absolute perfect paneer recipe for chapathi, butter naan, or jeera rice when you want to elevate a special weekend dinner.

Restaurant style Palak Paneer Recipe

Rich and creamy, palak paneer recipe in Punjabi restaurant style with the flavor of Kasoori methi and Garam masala.

Phool Makhana Paneer Gravy

A unique, highly nutritious simple paneer gravy for chapati that pairs soft cottage cheese cubes with crunchy, roasted foxnuts (lotus seeds) in a rich onion-tomato gravy. It is a spectacular, protein-rich option when you want to try hidden paneer varieties that perfectly mimic a premium restaurant-style dish at home.

Chanar Dalna Recipe

An authentic, traditional Bengali style cottage cheese curry where fresh, handmade paneer cubes (chhena) and potato chunks are simmered in a beautifully spiced ginger-cumin gravy. It is a prized gemstone among no onion no garlic paneer recipes that serves as a spectacular, aromatic simple paneer gravy for chapati, pooris, or steamed rice during festive occasions.

Paneer Pasanda Recipe

A premium, royal restaurant style paneer gravy featuring stuffed paneer sandwiches fried and smothered in a luscious, tangy tomato-cream sauce. It is the ultimate showstopper paneer recipe for chapathi, rich jeera rice, or butter naan when hosting a special dinner party at home.

Paneer Butter Masala

The crown jewel of Indian cottage cheese curries, featuring a rich, velvety tomato-cashew base heavily kissed with butter and cream. It is the absolute number-one paneer recipe for chapathi or garlic naan that both kids and adults love for its mildly sweet flavor.

Paneer Methi Chaman

An exotic, flavorful green gravy where succulent paneer cubes are simmered with fresh, mildly bitter fenugreek leaves and aromatic Kashmiri spices. This unique dish acts as a wonderful simple paneer gravy for chapati or soft phulkas, making it a fantastic way to include healthy greens in your dinner menu.

Paneer Makhani Recipe

A smooth, sweet, and comforting spice-free restaurant style paneer gravy prepared in a rich tomato, honey, and cashew nut sauce base. This classic North Indian curry is a phenomenal paneer recipe for chapathi or soft phulkas, making it a guaranteed hit for toddlers and kids’ dinner tables.

Matar Paneer Recipe

A comforting, classic North Indian combination of tender green peas and soft paneer cubes cooked in a lightly spiced onion-tomato gravy. It is a fantastic, everyday simple paneer gravy for chapati, roti, or warm jeera rice that is easy to whip up on busy weeknights

Kadai Paneer Recipe

A vibrant, semi-dry curry packed with freshly ground kadai masala, crunchy capsicum, and onions tossed with succulent paneer cubes. It stands out as a highly requested, spicy paneer recipe for chapathi, naan, or paratha when you want to bring bold dhaba flavors home.

Easy Paneer Curry

Simple and easy, no grind Paneer curry recipe that is ideal for lunch box and breakfast during busy morning hours. It pairs well with roti, chapathi and poori.

Dhaba style Palak Paneer

A garlic-infused, smoky green spinach gravy that brings the bold flavors of roadside dhabas straight to your dining table. This vibrant dish is a highly requested simple paneer gravy for chapati or hot tandoori rotis, serving as a clever way to smuggle nutritious greens into your family’s dinner menu.

Restaurant style Paneer Butter masala

A luxurious, rich restaurant style paneer gravy featuring succulent cottage cheese cubes cooked in a velvety tomato-cashew base heavily kissed with butter and cream. It is the absolute number-one paneer recipe for chapathi, butter naan, or jeera rice that kids and adults alike love for its mildly sweet, aromatic flavor.

Quick 10-Minute Paneer Bhurji

A protein-packed, scrambled cottage cheese dish tossed with finely chopped onions, tomatoes, and everyday Indian spices. This dry paneer starter and snack makes a fantastic, quick paneer bhurji for kids lunch box or a 10-minute morning breakfast wrapped tightly inside a kathi roll.

Sindhi style Palak Paneer

Paneer Starter Recipes

Looking for easy paneer starters for parties and get-togethers? These paneer starter recipes are crispy, flavorful and loved by both kids and adults. Serve them as appetizers or evening snacks.

Paneer Cutlet Recipe

A healthy, protein-rich dry paneer starter and snack made with fresh paneer, finely chopped vegetables, and structural binders like breadcrumbs or poha instead of potatoes. These crispy, guilt-free cutlets serve as a fantastic quick paneer recipe for kids’ lunch boxes or a weekend tea-time treat.

Tawa Paneer Tikka Recipe

A highly requested, smoky dry paneer starter and snack featuring cottage cheese cubes, bell peppers, and onions marinated in a spiced yogurt mix and grilled to perfection on a simple tawa. It serves as a fantastic easy paneer recipe for beginners looking to recreate a premium restaurant-style appetizer right at home.

Aloo Paneer Bonda (Potato & Cottage Cheese Fritters)

A crispy, golden-brown South Indian tea-time snack featuring a spiced mashed potato and crumbled paneer filling dipped in a seasoned gram flour batter. These flavorful fritters double as a highly sought-after dry paneer starter and snack that pairs perfectly with hot ginger chai or sweet mint chutney.

Crispy Restaurant Style Paneer 65

A fiery, deep-fried dry paneer starter and snack tossed in a spicy, yogurt-based marinade and aromatic curry leaves. It is a wildly popular, crowd-pleasing easy paneer recipe for beginners looking to serve a classic, restaurant-style appetizer for home parties or weekend treats.

Restaurant Style Chilli Paneer

A wildly popular Indo-Chinese dry paneer starter and snack featuring crispy fried cottage cheese cubes tossed with crunchy bell peppers and onions in a tangy, spicy soy-chili sauce glaze. It serves as a fantastic, crowd-pleasing option for home parties or a quick weekend treat that everyone will love.

Paneer Sweet Recipes

Paneer can also be used to prepare delicious Indian desserts. These paneer sweet recipes are easy to make and are perfect for festivals and celebrations.

Paneer Ladoo

A decadent, melt-in-the-mouth traditional Indian sweet made with fresh paneer, condensed milk, and a touch of cardamom flavor. It is a fantastic, crowd-pleasing easy paneer recipe for beginners that can be whipped up in under 15 minutes for festivals or special family occasions.

Instant Paneer Kheer recipe (Chanar Payesh)

A rich, creamy, and traditional Indian dessert where soft crumbled paneer is simmered in thickened, cardamom-scented milk and garnished with toasted nuts. This delectable sweet serves as a fantastic, crowd-pleasing easy paneer recipe for beginners that can be whipped up in under 20 minutes for festivals or special family occasions

Paneer Breakfast Recipes

If you are bored of regular breakfast dishes, try these paneer breakfast recipes. They are filling, nutritious and make a great start to the day.

Paneer Sandwich Recipe

A quick, protein-rich breakfast or snack featuring a spiced, crumbled paneer filling layered between slices of bread and toasted to golden perfection on a tawa. It serves as a fantastic, kid-approved quick paneer recipe for lunch boxes or a satisfying evening tea-time treat.

Punjabi Stuffed Paneer Paratha

A wholesome, protein-rich North Indian flatbread stuffed with a perfectly seasoned, grated paneer filling spiked with green chilies, coriander, and carom seeds. Cooked with crisp golden spots on a tawa, it is the ultimate, kid-approved quick paneer recipe for lunch boxes or a hearty, satisfying weekend breakfast paired with fresh curd and pickle.

Crispy Paneer Masala Dosa

A spectacular, protein-rich twist on the classic South Indian breakfast featuring a golden, crispy dosa sheet wrapped around a perfectly seasoned, spiced paneer filling. It is a highly requested, kid-approved quick paneer recipe for breakfast or dinner that makes an exceptional, crowd-pleasing option when you want to upgrade your regular idli-dosa routine.

10-Minute Instant Paneer Maggi Noodles

A quick, comforting street-style upgrade to your favorite comfort food, featuring pan-seared paneer cubes tossed with vegetables and instant noodles in a spicy tastemaker glaze. This protein-packed twist makes a fantastic, kid-approved quick paneer recipe for kids’ lunch boxes or a satisfying evening snack that comes together in less than 15 minutes.

Stuffed Paneer Poori

A delicious, festive twist on classic Indian comfort food featuring fluffy, golden-fried pooris stuffed with a mildly spiced, grated paneer filling. This protein-packed treat serves as a spectacular, kid-approved quick paneer recipe for breakfast or a special weekend brunch that pairs beautifully with simple potato masala or a tangy pickle.

Paneer Rice Recipes

Paneer rice recipes are perfect for lunch boxes, weekend meals and special occasions. These one-pot recipes combine the goodness of paneer with aromatic rice and flavorful spices.

Pressure cooker Paneer Pulao

A mild, aromatic, and quick one-pot rice dish featuring soft paneer cubes, sweet green peas, and fragrant basmati rice delicately spiced with whole whole garam masala. It is a highly requested, kid-approved quick paneer recipe for kids lunch boxes or a hassle-free weeknight dinner that pairs beautifully with a simple onion raita.

Restaurant Style Paneer Biryani

An aromatic, rich, and layered rice dish featuring succulent cubes of paneer marinated in a spiced yogurt mix, cooked alongside fragrant basmati rice and fresh mint. It is a highly requested, festive paneer recipe for special occasions that makes a fantastic crowd-pleasing option for Sunday family lunches or dinner parties.

Clay Pot Paneer Matka Biryani

An extraordinarily fragrant and premium paneer recipe for special occasions, where marinated paneer cubes, long-grain basmati rice, and caramelized onions are slow-cooked (dum) inside an earthen clay pot. This traditional cooking method infuses the dish with a distinct, rustic smoky aroma, making it a spectacular, crowd-pleasing option for festive family gatherings or weekend dinner parties.

FAQ

Q. What are the most popular paneer dishes?

Paneer Butter Masala, Shahi Paneer, Kadai Paneer, Paneer Tikka and Chilli Paneer are among the most popular Indian paneer dishes.

Q. Which paneer recipe is best for chapati?

Paneer Butter Masala, Paneer Makhani, Kadai Paneer and Mughlai Paneer Kurma pair well with chapati and roti.

Q. What can be made with paneer?

Paneer can be used to make gravies, starters, snacks, sandwiches, parathas, biryani, pulao and desserts.

Q. Which paneer recipes are suitable for kids?

Paneer Sandwich, Paneer Cutlet, Paneer Bonda and Paneer Paratha are popular among kids.

Q. Is paneer healthy?

Paneer is rich in protein and calcium and can be included as part of a balanced diet.

Q. Can I freeze paneer?

Yes. Paneer can be frozen for up to a month. Thaw and soak in warm water before use.

I hope this collection of paneer recipes helps you find the perfect dish for every occasion. Whether you are looking for a quick paneer gravy for chapati, a party starter, a healthy snack for kids or a festive dessert, this paneer recipes list has something for everyone.