Tikka Masala Lasagne (with Paneer or Ground Meat)

A cozy, flavorful twist on classic lasagne, layered with creamy tikka masala sauce, soft pasta sheets, and melty cheese. This fusion dish works beautifully with either ground beef or paneer, and you can add spinach or peas for a bit of extra veg.

Prep Time20

Cook Time45

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Servings:

Calories: 8156kcal

Ingredients

For the Filling / Sauce

15 ml vegetable oil
150 g onion finely chopped (1 medium)
10 g garlic minced (3 cloves)
15 g fresh ginger grated (1 piece, about 2.5 cm)
5 g ground cumin 1 teaspoon
5 g ground coriander 1 teaspoon
5 g garam masala 1 teaspoon
3 g turmeric 1 teaspoon
3 g chili powder ½–1 teaspoon, to taste
250 g paneer cubed or 250 g ground meat (chicken, lamb, or beef)
400 g crushed tomatoes 1 can
240 ml heavy cream
Salt to taste
8 g fresh cilantro chopped (2 tablespoons, optional, for garnish)

For Assembly

6–8 lasagne sheets depending on size of baking dish
150 g shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cook the filling In a large pan, heat oil and sauté onion until golden. Add garlic and ginger. Stir in all the spices and cook briefly.
Add the meat or paneer and cook through. Stir in the tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes. Add cream, season with salt, and simmer another 5 minutes. The sauce should be rich and creamy.
Assemble the lasagne In a baking dish, spread a little sauce on the bottom. Add a layer of pasta sheets, then sauce, then a bit of cheese. Repeat layers, finishing with cheese on top.
Bake Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 30–35 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
Rest & serve Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before cutting. Garnish with chopped cilantro if you like.

Notes

Recipe Notes

Fresh lasagna sheets work best, but dried ones can be used if parboiled
Use thick coconut cream for a rich, dairy-free option
Adjust chili powder to taste
Sauce should be creamy and spreadable, not watery
Let the lasagne rest before cutting for cleaner slices

Recipe Twists

Swap paneer for tofu or halloumi for a different vegetarian version
Add roasted bell peppers, mushrooms, or eggplant for extra depth
Layer in some béchamel for a creamier texture
Top with crumbled feta or a dollop of yogurt before serving
Try a mix of mozzarella and sharp cheddar for added flavor

Nutrition