Indian Main Course Vegetarian Recipes | Main Dish Recipes |

In any meal, the main course comprises the most filling and important part of the meal. The main course is served after the starters or snacks and is followed by the dessert. It may be made up of a single sumptuous dish, or a combination of a couple of dishes. It is common to find Subzis, curries or Dal served with Roti, parathas or rice as part of the Indian main course recipes.

On the other hand, dishes like biryanis, pasta, pizzas and baked dishes make up one-dish meals. When planning a menu, one must focus on the main course because it leaves a lasting impression on the diners, being the most comprehensive course of the meal. One dish meals are generally easy to make which ensure you never sleep with an empty stomach as they are also quite filling.

🌾 North Indian Vegetarian Main Course

shahi paneer recipe | Punjabi shahi paneer | restaurant style shahi paneer sabzi | 

shahi paneer is a rich and creamy paneer sabzi that translates to "Royal Paneer." This luxurious curry features soft, cubed paneer (cottage cheese) simmered in a velvety onion tomato-based gravy infused with a medley of aromatic spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. This Punjabi shahi paneer gravy has a very luscious mouth-feel that is complemented beautifully by succulent malai paneer.

aloo gobi dry recipe | Punjabi aloo gobi | aloo gobhi ki sabzi | potatoes and cauliflower vegetable |

Punjabi Aloo Gobi is a dry Indian sabzi which is from Punjab, but is widely eaten in very part of India.

rajma curry recipe | Punjabi rajma masala | healthy rajma curry | restaurant style rajma masala |

Rajma curry is also called rajma masala, Punjabi rajma recipe or rajma recipe in different parts of India.
Rajma curry and rice, no meal can be more satiating. This famous combination of rajma curry recipe + chawal is a complete one meal dinner and healthy protein for Vegetarians as it’s a cereal and pulse combination.

dal makhani | how to make dal makhani | dhaba-style dal makhani | punjabi dal makhani |.

Dal Makhani or maa di dal, as it is popularly known in the Punjab, with its smooth velvety texture and lovely flavour is a delicacy that is very much a dish of the Punjab.

Dal Makhani is traditionally cooked on a low flame overnight and allowed to thicken. Using a pressure cooker helps cook the dal in a jiffy. Serve hot with naans

butter naan recipe | homemade naan | butter naan made in tava | butter naan with yeast | 

A naan is an extremely popular Indian bread, and this simple butter naan recipe allows you to make it at home using a tava, or griddle. While traditionally cooked in a tandoor, you can easily replicate the soft, fluffy texture in your own kitchen. This particular recipe uses a combination of plain flour (maida), yeast, curd, and ghee to create a flavorful dough. The use of yeast helps the naan puff up, giving it that classic light and airy texture. The addition of black sesame seeds, or kala til, gives it a nutty flavor and a beautiful visual appeal.

aloo paratha recipe | how to make aloo paratha | stuffed aloo paratha | whole wheat aloo parathas |

aloo paratha recipe is a whole wheat aloo paratha which is a popular Punjabi breakfast recipe. So popular is whole wheat aloo parathas that I have it as a one-dish meal along with some curds and chopped onions.
Luscious whole wheat aloo parathas are stuffed with a succulent mixture of mashed potatoes flavoured perkily with green chillies, onions and all. A dash of amchur powder adds to the tanginess of the stuffing, making the Aloo Parathaa really tasty and satiating dish.

kabuli chana biryani recipe | chole biryani | veg chana brown rice biryani | healthy chole biryani | baked kabuli chana biryani |

kabuli chana biryani recipe also known as chole biryani is a unique blend of rice and pulses. Saffron-tinged rice is layered with a tongue-tickling kabuli chana gravy, covered with foil, and baked for a while till the flavours blend to make an awesome chole biryani one-dish meal. 

🌸 East Indian Vegetarian Main Course

aloo posto recipe | Bengali aloo posto recipe | aloo poshto | 

aloo posto recipe is a traditional Bengali delicacy. Made from potatoes, khus khus, kashmiri red chillies and haldi, this aloo poshto recipe is super easy to make.

This aloo posto recipe proves that poppy seeds and potatoes are a match made in heaven! Served Bengali aloo postopiping hot with fluffy rice or flavorful dal.

luchi recipe | Bengali style luchi | Bengali puri | 

This Bengali style luchi is so soft and so yummy. Learn how to make luchi recipe | Bengali style luchi | Bengali puri | 
A Bengali favourite, luchi is nothing but plain flour puris that taste great with Subzis / Curries. Bengali style luchi is white in colour and has a good amount of ghee or oil in them which makes it soft even after it cools. 
A dollop of ghee or oil added to the dough makes the luchireally crisp and flaky. These white and fluffy puris are a real delicacy, which will be loved by your whole family. 

baingan bhaja recipe | begun bhaja | healthy eggplant snack | how to make healthy begun bhaja | 

Amongst traditional Bengali recipes, Baingan Bhaja recipe is an evergreen favourite. The original recipe of Bengali begun bhaja involves shallow-frying the baingan in lots of oil till it is succulent and aromatic. Learn how to make healthy begun bhaja.

Bengali masoor dal recipe | mushurir dal | peyaj diye masoor dal |

Dal is a staple dish in every Indian household. Each region has its own style of making dal which vary in taste, and ingredients. This Bengali masoor dal is one such recipe that has a distinct and unique taste due to the use of panch phoran (mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, nigella seeds and fenugreek seeds) masala.

rasgulla recipe | rasgulla with homemade chenna | quick rasgulla | soft spongy Bengali rasgulla |

rasgulla is an Indian mithai which needs no introduction. For kids to elders this is one sweet which is enjoyed across most Indian states. Learn how to make soft spongy Bengali rasgulla.
Rasgulla with homemade chenna is one sweet the Bengalis cannot live without, and you too are sure to fall in love with it once you taste these super-soft, milk-white rasgullas.

🌅 West Indian Vegetarian Main Course

undhiyu recipe | Surti undhiyu | Oondhiya | authentic Gujarati undhiyu |

Oondhiya is a classic Gujarati vegetable from the city of Surat and hence also called Surti undhiyu. Oondhiya is a preparation of vegetables and fenugreek muthias cooked in an aromatic blend of spices. A traditional undhiyu reciperequires hours on end to make. 

Kathiyawadi sev tameta nu shaak recipe | dhaba style sev tamatar nu shaak | sev tameta sabzi | 

Indulge in the flavors of Kathiyawadi cuisine with this simple yet delectable sev tameta nu shaak recipe. This dish combines the tanginess of tomatoes with the crunchiness of sev (crispy chickpea flour noodles). Deep-fried sev is added to give a crispy texture to the sev tameta sabzi.

This recipe is for a delicious and perfect for a quick and easy Gujarati meal. Enjoy the symphony of flavors and textures in this Kathiyawadi sev tameta nu shaak with warm rotla.

traditional Gujarati dal dhokli recipe | dal dhokli |

Dal dhokli is a Sunday morning delight in most traditional Gujarati households! A perfect combination of spiced whole wheat flour dhoklis simmered in Gujarati dal, traditional Gujarati dal dhokli can be classified as a sumptuous one-dish meal, but you could also serve it with rice to make it all the more tasty and wholesome.
Dal Dhokli is an all-time favourite dish made in Maharashtra and Gujarat, in which strips of wheat flour dough are cooked in a tongue-tickling dal.

rotla recipe | bajra rotla | Gujarati style bajra rotla | healthy pearl millet roti | 

Bajra Roti is a traditional Indian flatbread made with bajra or black pearl millet flour making it extremely nutritious. Bajra flour is high in protein and is a complete protein for vegetarians when combined with dal. So as a Vegetarian, include bajra in your diet.

moong dal khichdi | Gujarati moong dal khichdi for IBS | how to make yellow moong dal khichdi | 

yellow moong dal and rice cooked together with peppercorns and flavoured with ghee, moong dal khichdi is a light and healthy meal despite the rich texture that the ghee and dal impart to it.

moong dal khichdi is very popular as a comfort food. It is sure to soothe you and make you feel better when you are off colour, especially if you are down with a fever or stomach ache!

Gujarati kadhi recipe | healthy Gujarati kadhi recipe | besan kadhi | 

Gujarati kadhi is inseparable from Gujarati cuisine. besan kadhi is basically a wonderful sweet and spicy curd mixture thickened with gram flour, which can be enhanced in many ways using other ingredients like pakoras and koftas. Gujarati kadhi is a very famous Gujarati preparation and is often cooked on a daily basis.
This simple dish requires tact and perfection, which comes from practice. Remember never to boil the Gujarati kadhion a high flame as it tends to curdle. The recipe isn’t a complex one all you need to do to get your kadhi right is to take care of the measurements.

🌴 South Indian Vegetarian Main Course

french beans and carrot thoran recipe | carrots beans thoran | Kerala style carrot thoran dry sabzi |

french beans and carrot thoran recipe is a Kerala style carrot thoran dry sabzi. ‘Thoran’ is a traditional vegetable preparation that is popular in Kerala. carrots beans thoran is a dry sabzi that can also be prepared with many different veggies.
In this french beans and carrot thoran recipe, we have used a colourful combination of French beans and carrot. First, the veggies are sautéed with onions and an aromatic tempering of seeds and red chillies, and then it is perked up with a tasty mixture of coconut and other ingredients, which not only improves the taste but also gives a nice mouth-feel to the Kerala style carrot thoran dry sabzi.

sambar recipe | sambar for idlis | South Indian sambar for dosas | easy homemade sambar recipe |

sambar is a hearty South Indian lentil stew simmered with vegetables, tamarind, and a unique spice blend called sambar masala. This fragrant, flavorful dish offers a symphony of textures with soft lentils, crisp vegetables, and a tangy-sweet sauce. It's a comfort food enjoyed at any time of day, often served with rice or soaked-up with fluffy appams.

Mysore sada dosa recipe | Mumbai style roadside Mysore Sada Dosa | 

when you want to have a quick and light meal, but are in too perky a mood for sada dosa, then go for the Mysore sada dosa which is not too heavy on the tummy but still has a nice, semi-spicy flavour, thanks to the mysore chutney!
Mysore masala dosa without the Mysore masala (which consists of a potato based vegetable stuffing) is Mysore sada dosa.

onion tomato uttapam recipe | uttapa Mumbai style | how to make onion tomato uthappam | South Indian tomato onion uttapa |

Onion tomato uthappam is a sumptuous South Indian snack, often had for breakfast or dinner. It is basically a thick pancake, made with dosa batter and topped with juicy onions and tangy tomatoes.
Green chillies and coriander add to the zesty flavour of this uttapa Mumbai style, making it a really exciting treat for your palate. Chopped curry is always also something very native to South Indian cooking. It features in other snack in Masala Vadai too

medu vada | south indian medu vada | urad dal vada | garelu vada | uzhunnu vada | 

Most South Indians consider breakfast incomplete without Medu Vada. Whether they have Idli, dosa, pongal or upma, they like to add a crispy, tasty and protein-rich urad dal vada to the platter.

In fact, when you have breakfast in a South Indian restaurant, even in the remote villages, you will be fascinated to see the waiter reel out the list of breakfast combos, almost all of them featuring vada!

Serving them fresh with Sambhar and coconut chutney however is doubly delightful.

tomato rasam recipe | Mysore rasam | easy rasam recipe | tomato rasam village style |

Tomato rasam village style and Medu Vada is a popular combo. You can also serve with it with a South Indian lunch of Chana Ghassi, French Beans Poriyal, Kolumbu, Mango Sasav , Ghee Rice and Paal Payasam.
 

curd rice recipe | South Indian curd rice | dahi chawal | thayir sadam |

Just like khichdi is to Gujarati, rajma chawal is to Punjabi, the curd rice is to South-Indians. Curd rice is also known as thayir saddam, dahi chawal and daddojanam. A very simple dish made using the most basic ingredients, curd and rice with an authentic South-Indian tempering does not take more than 15 minutes to cook.