Makhani Pasta

 

Makhani pasta unlike the tomato based Italian classic recepi this Indian version pasta will suit all the desi palate. It's spicy, creamy, rich and absolutely delicious. Cooked in Indian fusion sauce which is slightly sweet and rich sauce base. Makes an ideal weekday dinner.

The sauce stores well in refrigerator for up to a week or simply freeze them up for longer period of time. The dish can be prepared in less than 20 minutes and a quick hunger fix.  I use penne variety of pasta for making my makhani pasta. It's purely vegetarian dish and perfect for vegetarians as well. Now you may have a good pasta without a take out meal. 

Ingredients 

1 cup penne pasta 

2 tbsp all purpose flour 

1 cup milk

5 tbsp butter 

1/2 cup cashews

2 tomatoes,chopped

1 large red onion,chopped

2 dry chilly,cut into pieces 

5 cloves garlic,chopped

1 tsp coriander powder 

1/4 tsp turmeric powder 

1 tap red chilly powder 

1/4 garam masala 

Salt to taste

1/4 tsp black pepper powder 

1 tsp cooking oil

1 tsp Italian seasoning 

Shredded cheddar cheese (optional) 

Methods

In a large pan, boil water with salt and oil. Sdd penne pasta and cook for 7-8 minutes. Remove from heat and strain. Drizzle with water to stop the pasta from cooking further due to heat. We want al-dente texture. 

In a pan, melt 3 tbsp butter and saute red dry chilly, onion and garlic till the onion turns translucent.

Add chopped tomatoes and cook till the tomatoes soften.

Add the chilly powder,garam masala, turmeric powder,coriander powder and cashew.  Stir and cook for a minute. 

Add water and cook for 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and let it to cool completely.

Add the mixture into a blender and grind into fine paste.

In a pan melt remaining 2 tbsp butter and add the all purpose flour.  Fry on on low heat for a minute or till the raw smell leaves.

Add the milk and stir continuously to avoid lumps and till the mixture thickened.

Add the ground paste and stir. Cook for a minute while stirring.

Add the boiled pasta season with salt and black pepper powder.

Turn off heat and transfer to a serving plate,sprinkle with Italian seasoning and shredded cheddar.  Serve immediately.