Spiced Palak Paneer with Roasted Spinach and Indian Cheese
Fresh spinach leaves roasted and blended with aromatic spices, folded with cubes of pan-fried paneer for a vibrant and flavorful vegetarian curry. This indian-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian curry) ready in about 40 minutes pairs paneer, cut into 1-inch cubes, ghee or vegetable oil, cumin seeds for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 10 oz fresh spinach leaves, washed and roughly chopped
- 8 oz paneer, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp ghee or vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 small green chili, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- to taste salt
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread 10 oz roughly chopped fresh spinach leaves on a baking sheet and roast for 8 minutes until slightly wilted and fragrant. Remove and let cool.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 8 oz paneer cubes and pan-fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crisp on edges. Set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add remaining 2 tbsp ghee and 1 tsp cumin seeds; sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Step 4: Add 1 small finely chopped onion, 1 tsp grated ginger, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 finely chopped small green chili. Cook for 5 minutes until onion is translucent and softened.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp garam masala; cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
- Step 6: Transfer roasted spinach leaves to a blender, add 1/4 cup water, and blend into a smooth puree.
- Step 7: Pour the spinach puree into the skillet, mix well with the spices and onions, and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.
- Step 8: Stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream and season with salt to taste. Add a squeeze of 1 tsp lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
- Step 9: Gently fold in the golden paneer cubes and cook for 2 more minutes to warm through. Serve immediately with roti or steamed rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Palak Paneer with Roasted Spinach and Indian Cheese take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spiced Palak Paneer with Roasted Spinach and Indian Cheese?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep paneer, cut into 1-inch cubes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Palak Paneer with Roasted Spinach and Indian Cheese?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spiced Palak Paneer with Roasted Spinach and Indian Cheese for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Spiced Palak Paneer with Roasted Spinach and Indian Cheese vegetarian curry?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian curry based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
