Weeknight dinners need to be quick, filling and kind to your energy levels. Indian vegetarian cooking is full of dishes that come together in thirty to forty minutes with pantry staples, and many taste better the next day. Here are fourteen easy ideas with short, practical methods. Quantities are loose on purpose, because Indian home cooking runs on taste. Adjust the spice to your comfort, and swap vegetables with whatever is in your fridge.
Before you start: a tiny spice kit
You can cook most of the ideas below with cumin seeds, mustard seeds, turmeric, red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala, salt and a little oil or ghee. Add ginger, garlic, onions and tomatoes, and you are covered.
One-pot comfort dinners
1. Moong dal khichdi
Rinse equal parts rice and split yellow lentils. Fry cumin and ginger in ghee, add the rice and lentils with turmeric, salt and about four times the volume of water, and pressure cook or simmer until soft. Serve with yoghurt and pickle.
2. Vegetable pulao
Saute whole spices such as bay leaf and cinnamon, add sliced onions and mixed vegetables, then rinsed basmati and water. Cook covered until fluffy. Pair with raita.
3. Lemon rice
Temper mustard seeds, curry leaves, peanuts and a pinch of turmeric in oil, fold into cooked rice, then finish with lemon juice. Ideal for leftover rice.
Dal and curry nights
4. Tadka dal
Boil toor or masoor dal with turmeric until creamy. Make a tempering of ghee, cumin, garlic and dried red chilli, and pour it over the top. Serve with rice or roti.
5. Chana masala
Cook onions, tomatoes, ginger and garlic with coriander powder and garam masala, then simmer canned chickpeas in the masala for fifteen minutes. A squeeze of lemon lifts it.
6. Rajma
Simmer cooked kidney beans in a tomato and onion base with cumin and a little chilli. It is deeply satisfying with plain rice.
7. Palak paneer
Blanch spinach and blend it smooth. Cook onion, ginger and garlic, add the puree with spices, and fold in cubes of paneer. Finish with a splash of cream or milk.
8. Aloo gobi
Dry-cook potato and cauliflower with cumin, turmeric and coriander in a covered pan until tender. A good partner for roti.
Quick pan dinners
9. Egg-free besan chilla
Whisk gram flour with water, salt, turmeric and chopped onion, tomato and coriander. Pour onto a hot pan like a pancake and cook both sides. Serve with chutney.
10. Paneer bhurji
Fry onion, tomato and green chilli, crumble in fresh paneer, add a pinch of turmeric and garam masala, and cook for a few minutes. Wrap in a roti or serve with toast.
11. Vegetable upma
Roast semolina until fragrant. Temper mustard seeds and curry leaves, add chopped vegetables and water, then stir in the semolina until it thickens.
12. Masala omelette-style tofu scramble
Crumble firm tofu into a pan with turmeric, chopped onion and tomato. It works as a vegan replacement for bhurji.
Light and cooling options
13. Curd rice
Mash cooked rice with yoghurt and a little milk, then top with mustard seeds, curry leaves and grated ginger tempered in oil. Excellent on hot evenings.
14. Cucumber and chickpea chaat bowl
Toss boiled chickpeas, cucumber, onion, tomato, chaat masala and lemon, and top with yoghurt and chutney. No stove needed beyond the chickpeas.
Meal-planning tips
- Cook a big batch of rice or dal on Sunday and refresh it with a new tadka each night.
- Keep frozen peas, canned chickpeas and paneer for emergencies.
- Pair a dry vegetable with dal and roti for a balanced plate.
- If you are fasting during Navratri, see our Navratri fasting rules and food list before using regular spice mixes and grains.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make these dinners without an onion or garlic?
Yes. Use asafoetida and ginger for flavour, and tomatoes for body.
How do I make them lighter?
Use less oil, add more vegetables and choose dal, khichdi or curd rice for gentler evenings.
Which ideas work well for kids?
Khichdi, pulao, besan chilla and curd rice are usually popular with children, with chilli kept low.
Can I prepare these ahead?
Dal, rajma and chana masala keep well for a few days in the fridge or freezer.
Related reading
Browse the English section, enjoy our Indian street food guide and the guide to Indian sweets.
