46 Delicious Indian Recipes Everyone Should Master

Indian cuisine is incredibly diverse. You’ll find rich curries and breads throughout the Northern region, rice- and lentil-based dishes in the Southern—and plenty of sweets and street food options sprinkled throughout. From everyday dishes meant for weeknight cooking to ones reserved for special occasions like Diwali, you’ll easily find many that you return to on a regular basis. And, if you’re anything like us, you’ll be inspired to keep a few essentials (like fresh paneer, a jar of ghee and the spice blend, garam masala) on hand, too. You can’t go wrong with any of the recipes in this roundup but Chana Masala is one of our favorites. Often called Amritsari Chole, this chickpea curry originates from Punjab but is popular all over India. There are many versions of this dish and every house has its own take on it. Ours features chickpeas smothered in a delicious thick, piquant and spiced gravy.

These soft, thin and heavenly potato rotis are easy to make, taste divine and can be had for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The trick in this recipe is not to add any water to the dough. You can have these rotis simply with yogurt and achaar (Indian pickle) as a traditional North Indian breakfast, or with any curry such as chana masala or saag paneer — or even steal a bite as a mid-day snack.

Aloo gobi, a vegetarian dish of cauliflower, potatoes and fragrant spices is a wonderful addition to any meal. This version comes together quickly (in just 45 minutes) and is guaranteed to become an instant family favorite.

Aarti says, "Paneer is very easy to make at home, and my recipe is quick, easy, and delicious. I also think homemade has a better texture than anything store-bought." She also offers this tip: "If the milk doesn't separate, juice some more lemons and add another tablespoon or two. Boost the heat again and the milk should separate. Stir in a motion that gathers the curds together rather than breaks them up."