• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • ABOUT

Swasthi's Recipes

Home >> Recipes >> vegetarian

Indian dinner recipes (Vegetarian dinner recipes)

By swasthi , on December 19, 2020, 84 Comments,

Indian dinner recipes for any day of the week. Enjoy the wonderful flavors of authentic Indian cooking in the comfort of your home. From classic curry recipes, biryani, pilaf, flatbreads and many more to enjoy for dinner. This post gives you a ton of variety to choose from both North Indian & South Indian cuisines.

Indian dinner recipes for bachelors & beginners
WhatsApp
Share958
Pin358
Reddit
Tweet
Email
1K Shares

These tried and tested recipes are a family favourite & are sure to please everyone. This collection includes restaurant and homestyle recipes which you can plan for your weekend and weeknight dinners.  

Advertisement

If you are wondering what to make for dinner, then this may help you. Usually South Indians eat rice, curry, veggie stir fry, sambar and rasam for dinner. Some people also eat chapathi and vegetable curry.

Many people even love to eat only breakfast foods like idli, crispy dosa for their dinner as it is easier to prepare. I have included only some Instant recipes below. For more you can check this link – BREAKFAST RECIPES.

South Indians also love their easy rice dishes like curd rice, coconut rice, ghee rice and coconut milk rice. I have included only a few rice dishes in this post. For more you may check this link – RICE RECIPES. You can also check DAL RECIPES here.

North Indians eat roti, sabzi, dal, chawal for their meal. A special dinner has dal makhani, chana masala or chole with bhatura.

vegetarian Indian dinner recipes

You can also check these links for more choice
Sandwich Recipes
Pasta Recipes
Recipes using bread
Oats recipes
Ragi Recipes

30 Indian dinner recipes

1. Paneer butter masala is a delicious & creamy Indian dish made with Indian cheese aka paneer, butter, spices & herbs. This recipe will help you to make the best butter paneer at home with minimal effort. This butter masala or makhani sauce can also be made ahead and refrigerated. This goes well with Jeera rice or butter naan. For more similar recipes check this collection of paneer recipes.

paneer butter masala for indian dinner recipes

2. Chana masala is a popular dish made by simmering chickpeas in a onion tomato gravy. Chana masala is made almost in every region of India with so many variations. This recipe will give an unique, flavorful and one of the most delicious curries.You can also check this Punjabi chole for variation. Both these dishes can be eaten with bhatura, paratha or poori.

chana masala

3. Kadai paneer is yet another amazingly flavorful dish made with fresh ground spice powder known as kadai masala. This post shares 2 recipes. First one to make a gravy version and the second to make a semi dry kadai paneer. Similar recipe made with kadai masala is this kadai mushroom.

kadai paneer for indian dinner recipes

4. Palak paneer needs no introduction as it is hugely popular among the Indians. This dish is prepared by adding Indian cheese or paneer to palak or spinach gravy. This recipe will give you one of the best delicious and creamy palak paneer you can make at home.

palak paneer
Advertisement

5. Rajma masala is a North Indian curry made by simmering red kidney beans in a spicy onion tomato gravy. Jeera rice goes very well with this.

rajma masala for indian dinner recipes

6. Veg biryani is a one pot simple, flavorful & delicious dish that can be made in just 30 mins. This is not a dum style biryani so it saves a lot of time and effort without having to spend much time in the kitchen. This goes well with a raita or plain curd. You can make this in a regular pot, pressure cooker or Instant pot.  You can also check this Vegetable dum biryani, Hyderabadi style paneer biryani and mushroom biryani.

veg biryani

7. Khichdi is similar to the South Indian Ven Pongal. It is a one pot healthy, wholesome & quick dish made with rice, dal, veggies, ginger and minimal spices. This 30 mins khichdi is only not nourishing but also comforts the tummy.

You can also make this with any whole grains like millets, quinoa, steel cut oats etc. Please use the search box to find – dalia khichdi, oats khichdi and steel cut oats. Serve khichdi alone or with some pickle or chutney and papads.

khichdi
Advertisement

8. Bisi bele bath is hugely popular in Karnataka. It is made with rice, lentils, bisi bele bath powder and veggies. This is a spicy version of the khichdi. It takes about 50 to 60 mins including the preparation. You can just serve it with some papads.

Recipes that are popular on the same lines are these sambar rice, vangi bath & rava bath.

bisi bele bath

9. Fried rice is a classic dish made in Indo Chinese restaurant style. This post will teach you how to make the best veg fried rice using simple ingredients like rice, veggies and garlic. This can be made just under 15 mins if you have the precooked rice and some frozen or chopped veggies.

If you eat eggs then you can also check this – egg fried rice.

veg fried rice

10. Veg pulao is another one pot rice pilaf which is super quick to make either in a pot or cooker. It can be made under 30 mins. The recipe can be made with mixed veggies or even with a single veggie like potato, mushroom or even with only peas. Peas pulao and Kashmiri pulao are other similar dishes.

veg pulao for dinner

11. Lemon rice is a refreshing dish made by tempering rice with spices, curry leaves lentils and peanuts. A generous amount of lemon juice and turmeric is used for a nice color and flavor. Serve it plain or with curd. Coconut rice is another similar recipe you can check.

lemon rice

12. Tomato rice is quite popular in Tamilnadu and great to have when you do not have much time. All you need to prepare is an onion, few tomatoes and herbs. The recipe can be done under 30 mins. You can also check this thakkali sadam which is made with precooked rice.

tomato rice
Advertisement

Traditional Indian dinner recipes

13. Aloo Paratha are the most popular stuffed North Indian flatbreads. These have a spiced potato filling and are super delicious. I have shared 3 easy ways to roll them perfectly. No matter even if you are a beginner you will easily make them.

aloo paratha

14. Sambar is a popular south Indian lentil soup made with mixed veggies, spices and herbs. This is eaten with rice, idli, dosa, ven pongal or even with vada. Each state has their own way of making sambar. I have shared my mom’s own best sambar recipe which is a rough adaptation from Karnataka and Andhra cuisines.

sambar

15. Rasam is another comforting soup made with spices and herbs. We usually eat rasam along with rice and veggie stir fry on the side. Rasam is very light on the tummy & makes you feel hungry very quickly. So fill up your meal with lots of veggies.

This post shares instant rasam recipe which tastes very close to the one served in south Indian restaurant meals /thali. You can also check this Andhra style Tomato rasam.

rasam
Advertisement

16. Dal makhani is another most popular restaurant dish made with black lentils, kidney beans, butter and spices. This slow cooked creamy and super flavorful dish is amazingly delicious. Serve it with butter naan.

dal makhani

17. Bhindi masala is a dish made with okra or ladies finger. Okra are stir fried and then simmered with a spicy and flavorful masala. This is one of those homestyle veggie dishes that is healthy and delicious. Serve this with plain rice, chapati or roti.

bhindi masala

18. Mixed veg kurma is a South Indian dish made by simmering mixed veggies in a kurma gravy. To cut down the preparation time, you can use frozen chopped veggies like carrot, beans and peas. I also have the Instant pot instructions for this recipe.

19. Aloo gobi is another simple dish made by stir frying potato and cauliflower. This post shares 2 recipes. First one is a semi dry dish or sabzi and the second one is a gravy dish.

aloo gobi for indian dinner recipes

20. Dum aloo is a delicious restaurant style dish made by simmering potatoes in a aromatic yogurt and cashew gravy. This is a great dish to make for occasions and surprise your family. I have the instant pot instructions for this recipe. Simple Potato curry and Aloo matar are some similar dishes.

21. Dal fry is the simplest and the most delicious lentil dishes from India. Made with basic ingredients this is healthy, nutritious and simple to make. I have included the instant pot instructions for this recipe as well. Serve this with plain rice, roti or Jeera rice.

Here are some fusion dishes which are not authentic Indian but loved by most Indians. So I have included them here.

Fusion Indian dinner recipes

22. Masala pasta is a super simple pasta dish made in Indian style with Indian spices. This is a kids’ friendly dish and will be loved by everyone.

masala pasta

23. Gobi Manchurian is another popular Indo-Chinese starter or appetizer made with gobi aka cauliflower. It can be served as a starter or as a side with noodles & fried rice. You are short of time you can also serve this with plain basmati rice. Make sure you make the manchurian a bit more saucy.

gobi manchurian

24. Hakka noodles is an Indo-chinese dish that you can make under 30 mins. This post shares the veggie version. You can also add in some eggs or even shredded chicken.

hakka noodles

25. Chilli paneer is another popular Indo-chinese appetizer made by tossing fried paneer in chilli sauce. This can be eaten with hakka noodles or fried rice or even with plain basmati rice.

chilli paneer

26. Garlic mushrooms is a unique and hot dish made by tossing mushrooms in a fresh made spicy chilli garlic sauce.

garlic mushrooms for indian dinner recipes

Instant dinner ideas

These Instant Indian dinner recipes are of great help when you need to cook something immediately and do not have much time. All these dishes can eaten with a chutney.

27. Wheat dosa are instant dosas made with whole wheat flour and water.

wheat dosa

28. Oats dosa are another healthy instant crepes made with oatmeal, spices and herbs.

oats dosa for indian dinner recipes

29. Chilla are gram flour pancakes made without fermentation.

chilla

30. Akki rotti is are karnataka style flatbreads made with rice flour, curry leaves and spices.

akki roti for indian dinner recipes

Faqs

What is the best indian food for dinner?

South Indian dinner ideas – chapatti – veg kurma, ghee rice – soya chunks curry, Bisi bele bath & sweet corn vada.
North Indian dinner ideas – Paneer tikka, poori – potato masala, jeera rice – butter paneer/ chana masala, kulfi or kheer.

What should I eat for Indian dinner?

Non-Vegetarian dinner ideas – Chicken curry / butter chicken/ chicken tikka masala with butter naan, roti, cumin rice or ghee rice.
Vegetarian dinner – Dal makhani / Vegetable korma/ potato curry/ paneer butter masala with butter naan, roti, paratha, cumin rice or pulao.

Indian dinner recipes (Vegetarian dinner recipes)
WhatsApp
Share958
Pin358
Reddit
Tweet
Email
1K Shares

Related Posts

Advertisement

FEATURED RECIPES

Breakfast Recipes

Upma recipe (r…

upma recipe

Cake Recipes

Banana cake re…

banana cake recipe

Breakfast Recipes

Aloo paratha r…

aloo paratha

vegetarian

Paneer recipes…

paneer recipes

Dal Recipes

Dal makhani (S…

dal makhani recipe

Rice Recipes

Veg biryani re…

veg biryani

Advertisement

POPULAR RECIPES

Idli recipe (S…

soft idli

Samosa recipe …

samosa

Pav bhaji reci…

pav bhaji

Eggless chocol…

eggless chocolate cake

Palak paneer r…

palak paneer

Rajma recipe |…

rajma

Advertisement

Paneer butter …

paneer butter masala

Kadai paneer r…

kadai paneer

Paneer tikka r…

paneer tikka

Advertisement

About swasthi

I’m Swasthi shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthis recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills.
Read more..

Reader Interactions

Share Your Comments & Feedback: Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Advertisement
  2. Chandra mohan says

    September 18, 2017

    Indian break fast food is very tasty fully l love indian food spicey and cahtpata all overall world femsoe

    Reply
  3. KISHOR says

    August 26, 2017

    NICE RECIPES FOR BEGINNERS , IT INCREASES CONFIDENCE TO DO INDEPENDENTLY,

    I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU THAT NOW I CAN LIVE ALONE WITHOUT LIFE PARTNER WITH THE

    POWER OF YOUR RECIPES. THANKS! GREAT GIFT BY YOU

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      August 27, 2017

      Hi Kishor
      You are welcome. Glad to know the recipes are useful. Thanks a lot for the comment, made me happy.

      Reply
  4. KARTHIK says

    July 28, 2017

    hi swasthi,
    i am a engeneering student , i am staying in hostle , i am fed up because i am fat , can u please suggest me what break fast and lunch to have to maintain my diet
    thank you.

    Reply
  5. hari says

    July 25, 2017

    hi,

    i am not able to find the list of bachelor recipes here. pls highlight me the list of recipes.

    i can find only the external links for other recipes.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      August 2, 2017

      Hi Hari
      Iam sorry there are no external links, all of them are internal links to my own recipes on this blog. Intially this post had a quick list of bachelor recipes which has been updated with all the links suggested by our readers. Most of them are collections that help for quick search. Please do explore you will find very simple recipes.

      Reply
  6. Sunil Methuku says

    May 29, 2017

    this is what im looking from ages.. thanks a lot chef…

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 29, 2017

      Welcome Sunil Methuku

      Reply
  7. Smita Mehta says

    March 6, 2017

    Very simple and easy breakfast recipes shared. Thank you for listing it all together. Its really helpful for the bachelors to who usually have shortage of time.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 10, 2017

      Welcome Smita
      Glad to know the recipes are useful

      Reply
  8. Advertisement
  9. Jeena says

    January 16, 2017

    Excellent collection of dishes and recipes… Appreciate the effort u put to compile this collection..

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      January 18, 2017

      Thanks Jeena

      Reply
  10. Amit says

    January 9, 2017

    NYC … Compliment… I love cooked

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      January 10, 2017

      Thanks

      Reply
      • yum says

        January 16, 2017

        swasthi: please also share weekly (7 day) menu. i love your receipes and i m praying to ALLAH that some magic happens and i learn to ccok all ur recepies… (i cant cook bcoz i dont have time 🙁 )
        please share multiple 07 days menu

        Reply
        • swasthi says

          January 18, 2017

          Hi Yum
          Thanks for trying.I will try to make the menu

          Reply
  11. Karthi says

    November 12, 2016

    Hi swasthi
    Nice and useful recipes you post. It easy to made i will going to try your breakfast recipes. Thanks for posting.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      November 15, 2016

      Hi Karthi,
      You are welcome. Yes do try the recipes. Thanks

      Reply
  12. neha kumar says

    October 10, 2016

    Hi Swathi,

    I have a 14 month old. He is a very active baby, however he has always been very thin (birth wt : 2.8 Kg, Now about 8Kg). He is a very frugal eater and is not interested in food atall, as per doctor’s suggestion we are trying to keep a 4hr difference b/w his meals and concentrating on solids. thus his milk intake takes a beating. Also now he is at dayschool so i have to prepare meals in the morning and pack along,
    His food chart is as under:
    6:45 : Gets up
    7:30 : Milk Shake(banana/chikoo and formula)/Kheer(suji/oats) (we keep it milk based)
    10:00 : Porridge (oats/suji./rice + Carrot + one more Vegetable + almond and cashew nut powder + formula)
    01: 30 : khichri (moong/green moong/arahar + oats/suji+ 3 vegetables grated)
    5:00 : Milk (50-60Ml)/Kheer/aata Halwas
    7:30 : Milk (if he asks for it as at that time we are travelling)
    8:30-9:00 : gravy and rice (if he is still active) else milk (100 ml)
    9:30 Bedtime

    we used to give him milk at 6:30 AM, but then he did not eat his breakfast so we had to stop.

    can you please suggest some improvement in the diet chart.
    Also can you suggest how can i add milk and fruit to his diet (i see that you don’t recommend mixing fruit and milk, but as the baby is not with me most of the day, I don’t have a very wide window to give him fresh fruits.. fresh food for that matter..

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      October 13, 2016

      Hi Neha
      I would suggest 6.45 am and 7.30 pm for fresh fruits. This should increase his appetite and he may consume more food.
      It is true that mixing fruits and milk or milk with any other foods is not good for the body. The entire system turns sluggish especially in kids. Try not to give him milk with fruits and dal at least. For more intake of dairy, you can try giving him paneer every night. This should work. Hope this helps. For further queries pls leave ur comment on any baby food post.

      Reply
  13. nani says

    October 8, 2016

    Thank you for all your hard work in creating this website! Love all your recipes<3

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      October 13, 2016

      Welcome Nani
      Glad to know you liked it. Thanks you

      Reply
  14. Advertisement
  15. murli says

    September 21, 2016

    New to cooking…followd ur site..felt very easy to cook following your recipes…thnx..

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      September 23, 2016

      Hi Murli
      You are welcome
      Thanks for following

      Reply
  16. Tanmayini says

    September 13, 2016

    Hi Swasthi,

    I thought of writing you many a times.. I can’t thank you enough as your website has been rly a saviour to me.. M recently married & my hubby is a complete foodie. Being a working lady, no prize guessing I did not do much cooking earlier. I have almost tried all your recipes starting from lemon chicken, prawn fry, various sandwiches, rava upma…what not!

    I continue to use your site..It’s a regular practice now..Heart felt thanks for all your yummy n easy recipes. Keep posting as you do have keen followers like me..

    Thanks again.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      September 15, 2016

      Welcome Tanmayini
      So happy to know the blog is useful. Thanks for trying so many recipes. Really appreciate your comment. Yes will surely keep posting.
      🙂
      Have a lovely day

      Reply
  17. Tanmayini says

    September 13, 2016

    Hi Swathi,

    I thought of writing you many a times.. I can’t thank you enough as your website has been rly a saviour to me.. M recently married & my hubby is a complete foodie. Being a working lady, no prize guessing I did not do much cooking earlier. I have almost tried all your recipes starting from lemon chicken, prawn fry, various sandwiches, rava upma…what not!

    I continue to use your site..It’s a regular practice now..Heart felt thanks for all your yummy n easy recipes. Keep posting as you do have keen followers like me..

    Thanks again.

    Reply
  18. Neha Shaik says

    September 5, 2016

    Hi Swasthi, your website is helpful especially the variaties and pictures in handy. Being a student in different country and missing home food while mom’s away,your website teaches cooking to perfection. Thanks a lot for such great effort and work. Would love to see your App,YouTube channel,Snapchat some day. Once again loads of thanks.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      September 7, 2016

      Hi Neha
      You are welcome.
      Glad to know you. So glad to know the recipes are useful. Hopefully we will launch the app soon.Thanks a lot.

      Reply
  19. Vini says

    August 20, 2016

    Really helpful website. 🙂 Going to try few of the recipes soon. Please keep up the good work and keep the recipes coming.

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      August 21, 2016

      Welcome Vini
      Very happy to know the recipes are helpful. Thanks and will surely keep posting

      Reply
  20. Advertisement
  21. Aleena says

    August 10, 2016

    Loved all your recipes.Thank u for helping me.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      August 13, 2016

      welcome Aleena

      Reply
  22. Aravind Gosh says

    July 30, 2016

    Very good to see delicious foods in the cover…. even those who are not interested to cook can have interest in cooking….. A great thank to you all guys……

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      August 1, 2016

      Welcome Aravind Gosh
      Glad to know you liked them. Thank you

      Reply
  23. Richa says

    June 28, 2016

    This is going to be soo useful for me.
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 4, 2016

      welcome Richa

      Reply
  24. pavan says

    April 9, 2016

    Please introduce a mobile application of your site so that it is easy to use your information

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      April 13, 2016

      Thanks for the suggestion. Will try

      Reply
  25. Truptesh says

    February 12, 2016

    Hi
    Thank you so much for sharing recipe with photos. It is easy to understand. I cook occasionally.
    I made kheema & It was good.
    Keep on sharing recipes.
    Once again Thanks.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      February 12, 2016

      Hi and welcome,
      Glad to know the recipes are helpful.
      Thanks for trying and the feedback as well.

      Reply
Newer Comments »

Primary Sidebar

Advertisement

DIWALI RECIPES

JALEBI RECIPE
RASGULLA RECIPE
RASMALAI RECIPE
GULAB JAMUN
BESAN LADOO
KAJU KATLI
RAVA LADDU
Advertisement

CATEGORIES

DINNER RECIPES
SANDWICH RECIPES
BREAKFAST RECIPES
RICE RECIPES
CHUTNEY RECIPES
SNACKS RECIPES
SWEETS RECIPES

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Follow me on social media

Facebook

Like

Instagram

Follow

Pinterest

Follow

Twitter

Follow
Advertisement

HEALTH CORNER

RAGI RECIPES
OATS RECIPES
MILLET RECIPES

Advertisement
Advertisement

© 2012 - 2020 - Swasthi's Recipes. The content is copyrighted to SWASTHI'S and may not be reproduced in any form.