Paneer Butter Masala (Creamy Tomato & Coconut Sauce)
Ingredients
Method
- Heat butter or oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add paneer cubes and lightly fry until golden on the edges. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the paneer butter masala spice mix and cook briefly (about 30 seconds) to release the flavors.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Add the water and mix well to create a smooth sauce.
- Pour in the coconut milk and stir to combine.
- Return the paneer to the pan and simmer for 5–10 minutes, allowing the flavors to come together.
- Taste and adjust salt as needed.
- Serve warm with rice, chapati, or naan.
Notes
- Don’t overcook paneer — it can become tough
- Coconut milk keeps it creamy without needing heavy cream
- Great served with rice, chapati, or naan
- You can add vegetables like peas or spinach if desired
Emily’s Notes
This Paneer Butter Masala has become one of our favorite comfort meals to make at home. There is something so satisfying about a warm, creamy tomato sauce paired with soft cubes of paneer and served alongside rice or fresh bread. Before moving to Uganda, I’d only ever had paneer at restaurants – now it’s become a weekly staple in our home.
Living in Uganda has taught me that food has a beautiful way of connecting us to places, memories, and people. Some meals remind us of where we’ve been, while others become part of the new story we’re creating.
I love that this recipe feels special enough for a family dinner but is still simple enough to make on an ordinary weeknight. It’s one of those meals that brings everyone to the table — full of flavor, comforting, and always worth making again.
Whether you already love Indian-inspired dishes or you’re trying paneer for the first time, I hope this recipe becomes a favorite in your home too.
Pull Up a Chair
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turns out. Leave a comment below and let me know what you served it with. Some of our best dinner ideas have come from conversations around the table.
From Our Kitchen Notebook
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A Little About Me
I’m Emily — a wife, mom of three, and home cook who believes some of life’s best conversations happen around the table.
Our family moved back to Uganda after more than a decade away, and our kitchen has become a place where old favorites, new flavors, and everyday moments come together. Here, I share the recipes we actually make for our family—from homemade bread and simple weeknight dinners to treats worth baking again and again.
I’m so glad you stopped by. I hope you find something your family will love, too.
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Made with love,
Emily