This Creamy Tandoori Sauce Pasta is the ultimate vibrant fusion of hearty pasta and Indian spices. It packs the punch of the tandoori masala spice mix, with a creamy sauce for extra comfort!
P.S. This healthy recipe also includes step-by-step photos, making it fail-proof for you!
In this post you’ll learn:
- Why you will love this recipe
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Useful tips
- Storage, Meal Prep, and Freezing Instructions
- FAQ
- More recipes like this!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- It’s bursting with flavor! The vibrant blend of tandoori spices gives the pasta a bold twist that’ll leave you wanting more.
- Healthy indulgence: This recipe combines the goodness of wholegrain pasta and antioxidant-rich spices, making it a delicious and nutritious dish!
- A vegan-friendly delight🌱
- This easy recipe also includes step-by-step pictures to help you in the kitchen!
- Plus, you can choose to use a pre-packaged tandoori spice mix / store-bought tandoori paste so you wouldn’t have to bother with getting the 5 individual spices it’s made up of!
- Versatility at its best: Feel free to customize your Tandoori Pasta by adding your favorite veggies or (plant-based) protein options. For the garnish, you could use some fresh herbs of choice and also some plant-based cheese if that sounds yummy to you!
What is Tandoori Pasta?
Tandoori Pasta is a fusion dish that combines the flavors of traditional Indian tandoori spices with pasta, creating a unique and flavorful blend of cuisines. So you get a simple recipe with the creamy and hearty richness of a pasta dish, but also that flavor complexity from the tandoori spice blend. The best of both worlds! 🏆
What Flavor is Tandoori?
Tandoori flavor can be described as smoky, spicy, and tangy. This is due to the blend of warm, aromatic spices like paprika, chilli pepper, coriander, cumin, and garam masala. Yogurt is often added to a tandoori marinade, resulting in that creamy goodness!
If these spices sound yums to you, definitely also check out my Easy Tandoori Vegetables Platter and my 5-Minute Tandoori Mayonnaise recipes!
Ingredients
First up, the star ingredients: the tandoori spice mix, also known as the tandoori masala! Feel free to just get a pre-mixed tandoori spice blend so you don’t have to bother with each of the individual ingredients!
- Garam masala: A warm and aromatic spice blend.
- Paprika: A vibrant red spice made from dried and ground bell peppers that will give that nice red color to the dish.
- Kashmiri chilli or cayenne pepper: A fiery spice that adds a kick to the dish. Kashmiri chilli powder works best due to its characteristic slight bitterness but normal cayenne powder works great too!
- Coriander: A fragrant spice with a citrusy and slightly sweet flavor.
- Cumin: An earthy and slightly nutty spice.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning, bringing out the flavors of all the ingredients!
Now part two, the aromatics and vegetables:
- Olive oil: A versatile oil.
- Fresh ginger: A aromatic root that gives that nice warming flavor.
- Yellow onion: A savory and slightly sweet aromatic.
- Garlic: Packs that garlicky punch to this recipe.
- Bell pepper: The sweetness of this vegetable balances the flavor really well. I used red bell peppers but you can use any color!
And lastly, for the pasta:
- Fusilli, or your pasta of choice: I like fusilli since the sauce coats the pasta evenly and they also get into the nooks and crannies of the pasta, ensuring that you get to taste the sauce well in every bite!
- Tomato blocks: Chunks of fresh or canned tomatoes essential in pasta dishes.
- Reserved pasta water: The starchy water from boiling the pasta, used to create a silky and flavorful sauce.
- Lemon juice: Adds a refreshing citrusy tang to the pasta, brightening up the flavors.
- Plant-based yogurt: A creamy and tangy alternative to dairy-based yogurt, providing that luscious creaminess!
- Basil: Adds freshness and a mild herbal note to the pasta, enhancing its overall presentation and taste. Feel free to substitute with parsley.
Can I Just Use Store-bought Tandoori Paste?
Yes, you can. Of course the flavor profile might differ a bit since every brand has its own characteristic flavor. However, you can definitely substitute the tandoori spice mix blend with some pre-made (or homemade) tandoori paste/sauce instead.
Is Tandoori Paste Healthy?
Tandoori paste can be a healthy option depending on its ingredients and how it is used. Traditional tandoori paste typically contains a blend of spices like cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and ginger, which offer various health benefits. These spices are known for their antioxidant properties and potential anti-inflammatory effects. For example, cumin is antidiabetic and is beneficial for cholesterol and stress management. While chili peppers boost your metabolism and ginger have to potential to prevent cancer.
However, it’s important to be mindful of store-bought tandoori pastes, as they may contain added preservatives, artificial colors and high amounts of sodium. Reading the ingredient list and choosing brands with minimal additives is recommended.
With this easy and simple recipe though, you can mix your own tandoori spice mix so you can be sure of what goes in there!
Where to Buy Tandoori Pasta?
Depending on where you live, you can find tandoori pasta in either any supermarket chain, or a specialty Indian or Asian supermarket. Alternatively, you can buy one at Amazon.
A very popular brand is called Patak’s, which I can recommend. Here in the Netherlands where I live, I can get them in the Asian section of a regular supermarket chain such as Albert Heijn (AH), Jumbo, Aldi, Lidl, and Coop. You can also find one in Xenos. In Belgium, you can find it at Delhaize. If you live in Germany, you can get them in Aldi, Rewe, Lidl, and Edeka.
In the UK, you can get one at major supermarkets such as Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons, and Asda. If you live in Australia, you can get one at Woolworths or Coles, with Sharwood’s being another popular brand.
How to Make Tandoori Pasta
First up, the preparations!
- Peel and mince onion, garlic, and ginger. Cut bell peppers into stripes.
- Measure and mix tandoori spice blend.
- Cook pasta in boiling water according to package instructions.
Next, time to cook the tandoori sauce!
- Heat olive oil in a large pan and sauté minced garlic, ginger, and onion until fragrant.
- Add bell peppers (optional) and cook for 5 minutes until slightly softened.
- Add tandoori spice mix, fry briefly to release aroma.
- Stir in tomato blocks and let simmer.
P.S. You can also repeat the four steps above, excluding the bell peppers to get yourself a homemade tandoori masala paste! Then feel free to use that paste in your cooking however you want. 😉
Now your pasta should be almost done. Note that you want it to be undercooked for about 1 minute undercooked since leaving them in a hot pot after draining will still cook them further a little.
So now…let’s mix the pasta and the sauce!
- Reserve (take out) 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Add the reserved pasta water to the sauce and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the bell peppers are cooked through.
- Now stir in the cooked pasta and lemon juice to the sauce. Optionally, add plant-based yogurt and stir to coat.
- Turn off the heat, garnish with basil if desired, and enjoy!
If you want to add a side dish, I highly recommend my Healthy Whole Wheat Garlic Bread with Olive Oil, or this Sliced Bread Garlic Bread version which uses your regular sliced bread to make things even simpler!
Useful Tips
Some of my top tips to ensure that you would get a delicious plate of this pasta tandoori:
- The recipe cooks really fast so be sure to measure out and cut your ingredients beforehand!
- Take your pasta off the heat 1-2 minutes earlier than the cooking time in the package. Since the pot will still be hot, it will still continue to cook even after it is drained. It will also be cooked further after it’s mixed with the creamy tandoori sauce.
- If your pasta looks a bit dry, add splashes of (pasta) water. You can also add some plant-based milk for added creaminess.
- If you’re looking to eat more veggies, you can try adding some zucchini, eggplant, and peas. If you’d like to add some leafy greens, try adding rucola/arugula or spinach.
- You can use any pasta of your choice, be it spaghetti, macaroni, penne, farfalle, or anything else! Get ready for some yummy tandoori spaghetti, tandoori macaroni, or tandoori (insert your favorite pasta here)!
- P.S. if you’re a fan of spicy noodles, check out my Easy Spicy Gochujang Ramen (or Udon) recipe!
Storage, Meal Prep, and Freezing Instructions
Storage:
- This pasta in tandoori sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Make sure to cool the pasta completely before storing it to maintain its freshness.
Meal prep:
- This recipe is great for meal prepping as it reheats well. Simply divide the cooked Tandoori Pasta into individual meal containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days for quick and convenient meals throughout the week.
- You can reheat the pasta in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if needed to prevent it from drying out.
Freezing:
- I do not recommend freezing this pasta since it will alter the texture of the pasta.
FAQ
Tandoori seasoning works really well as a marinade as it infuses that smoky and aromatic profile. It can be used to season vegetables, tofu, or even fish/meat to my non-vegetarian/vegan friends.
You can also use the spice blend in sauces such as in this Tandoori Pasta recipe! Additionally, using them in dips works great too. Add some to your 3-Minute Homemade Vegan Mayonnaise to make a Tandoori Mayonnaise, anyone? 😉
Tandoori sauce typically consists of a base of yogurt, which provides a creamy and tangy element. The yogurt is combined with tandoori spices like paprika, chili powder, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic, and garam masala.
For this Tandoori Pasta recipe, I also added some tomato blocks and lemon juice since we want to serve it with pasta.
Tandoori sauce often uses Greek yogurt while tikka sauce uses regular yogurt. Other than that, they often share the same spices used. The difference is a bit hard to decipher since the ingredients vary depending on the recipe and as a result, there is often an overlap between the two.
The biggest difference between tandoori and tikka is usually in the type of meat that is used. Both dishes use chicken, but tandoori uses chickens with bones while tikka uses boneless chicken.
Moreover, tikka is usually prepared on a skewer while tandoori usually requires marinating before it is grilled in a tandoor (a large urn-shaped oven, from which its name comes from).
The spiciness of tandoori dishes definitely varies depending on the amount and type of chili powder used. For example, the traditional chili powder used (Kashmiri chili powder) is usually spicier than the regular cayenne pepper.
If you’re not so great at handling spicy food (like me 🙈), start with just a bit of chili pepper and then add more later if necessary.
Want More Recipes Like This?
If you’re a fan of these tandoori spices, definitely check out my Easy Tandoori Vegetables Platter and my 5-Minute Tandoori Mayonnaise recipes!
For an Indonesian curry-like dish, check out this Authentic Vegan Rendang recipe, simplified. It’s based on my mum’s rendang recipe so I’m very happy to present the recipe to you!
For an easy dinner recipe, check out this 30-minute Rainbow Poke Bowl (which uses my Super Flavorful 5-Minute Marinated Tofu), or try my Sticky Tempeh recipe for yet another flavor-packed meal!
If you want something packable for lunch, try this Hummus Bagel (Sandwich + 3 Open-faced Combos), or some of my sushi recipes such as this Shiitake Roll, Kimchi Sushi, or the simpler Kappa Maki (Cucumber Rolls), Natto Maki, and Umeshiso Rolls.
Looking for something sweet to balance the heat in this dish? I got you 😉 Check out my 5-Minute Strawberry Oat Milk recipe to pair this with.
And if you’re in for dessert, check out my Baked Oats Without Banana recipe which has 5 different flavor variations for you to try! And if you’re not a fan of cakey desserts, try this Flax Seed Pudding or Oreo Overnight Oats!
Creamy Tandoori Sauce Pasta
Ingredients
Tandoori Spice Mix
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 2 Tbsp paprika powder
- 1 tsp chilli powder preferably kashmiri but normal ones work too
- 2 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
The Aromatics
- 1 inch ginger fresh (2.5cm)
- 1 yellow onion large
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 bell pepper large
For the Pasta
- 3 cups 240 grams dried fusilli, or your pasta of choice
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 cup tomato blocks
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice from about half a lemon
- ½ cup plant-based yogurt (optional)
- 3 Tablespoons basil chopped (optional), substitutable with parsley
Instructions
Preparation
- Peel and mince your onion, garlic, and ginger. Cut your bell peppers into stripes.
- Measure and mix the tandoori spice together.
- Now cook your pasta by first bringing a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package instruction.
Cooking the Sauce
- To a large pan, add your olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic, ginger, and onion. Cook for 2-3 minutes on medium to high heat while stirring occasionally, until they become fragrant.
- If using the optional bell peppers, add them now and cook further for another 5 minutes until the bell peppers become a bit softer.If not using bell peppers, cook the aromatics further for another 5 minutes.
- Now add your tandoori spice mix. Turn the heat down to low and fry to release the aroma for about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn the spices by keeping an eye on it and turning the heat down even lower if needed.
- Add your tomato blocks, stir to combine, and let it simmer as you prepare your pasta in the next steps.
Mixing the Pasta and the Sauce
- Your pasta should be almost done by now. The pasta should be undercooked for about 1 minute since they will cook further as they sit in a hot pan as you simmer your pasta sauce further.So reserve 1/4 cup of your pasta water, then drain your pasta.
- Add that reserved pasta water to the sauce mixture. Then simmer on low heat for about 5-7 more minutes, until the bell peppers are cooked through.
- Once the bell peppers are no longer crunchy when you bite them, stir in your cooked pasta into the sauce and add the lemon juice. If it gets a bit dry, add a couple more splashes of the pasta water.
- If using yoghurt, add them now and stir to coat.
- Once everything is coated evenly, turn the heat off and serve. Garnish with basil if using.
Notes
- The recipe cooks really fast so be sure to measure out and cut your ingredients beforehand!
- Take your pasta off the heat 1-2 minutes earlier than the cooking time in the package. Since the pot will still be hot, it will still continue to cook even after it is drained. It will also be cooked further after it’s mixed with the creamy tandoori sauce.
- If your pasta looks a bit dry, add splashes of (pasta) water. You can also add some plant-based milk for added creaminess.
- If you’re looking to eat more veggies, you can try adding some zucchini, eggplant, and peas. If you’d like to add some leafy greens, try adding rucola/arugula or spinach.
- You can use any pasta of your choice, be it spaghetti, macaroni, penne, farfalle, or anything else! Get ready for some yummy tandoori spaghetti, tandoori macaroni, or tandoori (insert your favorite pasta here)!
- This pasta in creamy tandoori sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Make sure to cool the pasta completely before storing it to maintain its freshness.
- This recipe is great for meal prepping as it reheats well. Simply divide the cooked Tandoori Pasta into individual meal containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days for quick and convenient meals throughout the week.
- You can reheat the pasta in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if needed to prevent it from drying out.
- I do not recommend freezing this pasta since it will alter the texture of the pasta.
July 27, 2023 at 8:03 pmThanks for breaking down this recipe! Making my own tandoori spice mix is way easier than I thought, and it’s delicious too!
October 17, 2023 at 5:03 pmPerfect for a busy weeknight dinner, on those days where you want something more than just a regular pasta. Thank you!