Indian Style Pasta Recipe | Masala Pasta Recipe

When it comes to pasta I usually do not prefer ordering pasta if we go to any Italian restaurant, the reasons simply are that I find the pasta is too bland for y taste buds and also it is loaded with lots of cheese.Instead I would happily go for paper thin Pizzas though they are loaded with cheese. 

Pastas are perfect for weekend lunch or dinner and I usually make it for dinner as I find it easy to cook.As TH prefers mostly Pesto sauces with pasta or a simple one rather than the tomato or the white sauce, I usually end up preparing either Basil Pesto Pasta or Spinach Pesto Pasta or simple Aglio Olio or Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta or  Red Bell Pepper Sauce Pasta.But when parents or in-laws come to visit us and if we plan for pasta for dinner, I usually end up preparing this Indian style pasta for them to suit their taste buds as I am sure that they would not prefer other kind of pastas which I usually prepare.I must say that this is a fusion recipe and definitely would suit any Indian taste buds.

Check out other Pasta Recipes in my blog:

• Basil Pesto with Spiral Pasta
• Creamy Avocado Pasta
• Eggplant Pasta
• Macaroni with Roasted Vegetables and Herbs in White Sauce
• Pasta Salad
• Roasted Bell Pepper Pasta
• Spinach Pesto Penne Pasta
• Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta 

Indian style Pasta Recipe | Masala Pasta Recipe:

Serves 2

Prep time:25 mins | Cooking time:20 mins | Total time:45 mins

Cuisine:Indo-Italian | Category: Pasta - Main Course

Ingredients:

2 cups Penne Pasta(or any other shape like fusili,sphagetti)

1 Onion,finely chopped
1 large Tomato,blanched and pureed
1 Carrot,finely chopped
1 Capsicum,finely chopped
3-4 Babycorns,finely chopped(optional)

3-4 Garlic pods,finely chopped
2 tsp Tomato Sauce
1/4 tsp Garam masala
1 tsp Red chili powder
1/4 tsp Black Pepper powder

1 tsp Mixed Herbs or Oregano

2 tbsp chopped Coriander

2-3 tbsp Olive Oil

Salt to taste

Method:

to cook pasta:

Cook according to the instruction of your package or follow this procedure:

• Bring water to boil in a big pot (filled to its half) and add salt,1 tsp olive oil and pasta and cook over medium flame for 10-12 mins until al dente(cooked and tender to teeth).You can cook it further for 2-3 mins more to get soft pasta,but definitely do not make it soggy.

• Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of water for later usage.you can even give a cold bath to the pasta by running it under fresh tap water which helps in keeping the pasta separate.

to prepare Masala Pasta:

• Heat olive oil in a wide bottomed pan and fry sliced garlic until slight brown and then add chopped onions and fry until they are pink and soft.

• Add finely chopped carrots and baby corns and fry well for 5-6 mins and then add finely chopped capsicum and fry for a minute.

• Now add pureed tomato,tomato sauce,garam masala powder,red chili powder and mix well and fry until the oil separates.I have not added tomato puree as I was not having tomatoes at home at that moment.

• Add 4-5 tbsp of reserved pasta liquid if required add more to get a medium sauce consistency.
• Add cooked pasta and mix well until all the pasta is covered with the sauce and is warm.Now add black pepper powder,Italian herbs,chopped coriander,salt(remember we added salt while making pasta as well,so add accordingly)and mix well.
• Dish it out to the serving platter and garnish with coriander.

Serve it hot or warm with Tomato sauce and Lime Soda or drink of your choice.

Notes:

1. You can replace penne pasta with any of the pasta like spiral, fusili, spaghetti, macaroni , farfelle or any other pasta of your choice.
2. If you want it more spicy add chopped green chilli while adding onions.
3. If you are preparing it for kids adjust the spicyness accordingly.
4. If you want to skip tomato sauce ,add 1/2 tsp of sugar to the tomato puree to balance the flavors in pasta.
5. You can add colored bell peppers, blanched broccoli, thinly sliced mushrooms to the pasta.
6. You can make it a bit more Desi version by adding cumin seeds and curry leaves in the tempering and also turmeric powder along with the other masala but somehow I don't like the idea of making the pasta very south Indian way.

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