Creamy, comforting, and protein-packed, this Cottage Cheese Tikka Masala is a lighter take on the classic curry. Blended Good Culture cottage cheese stands in for heavy cream to create a silky, rich sauce, while tender cottage cheese curds replace paneer or chicken for a satisfying vegetarian main. Warm Indian spices: cumin, coriander, garam masala, paprika, turmeric, and chili simmer with tomato sauce and bell peppers for deep, restaurant style flavor at home.
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1 cup Good Culture Simply 4% Cottage Cheese, blended smooth with 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1 Serrano chili, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece ginger, minced
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- Salt, to taste
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 green bell peppers, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup Good Culture Simply 4% Cottage Cheese (in place of “paneer/chicken”)
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients, including the blended cottage cheese.
- In a nonstick pan, heat ghee in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, then sauté onions, Serrano chili, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.
- Stir in coriander powder, smoked paprika, red chili powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, and salt. Cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Mix in tomato sauce and water. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until thickened slightly.
- Stir in the blended cottage cheese and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Mix in the bell peppers and cover with a lid. Simmer on low for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Turn off the heat and gently fold in the remaining cottage cheese curds.
- Taste and adjust salt/spices. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with naan, roti, or rice.