Palak Paneer Kofta Curry (Spinach Cheese Dumplings in Saag)
Soft baked paneer and potato dumplings simmered in a spiced spinach sauce, a showpiece curry that is simpler than it looks.
Made with Saag (spiced spinach) base. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.41 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- 2
In a bowl, mix the paneer, mashed potato, cornflour, green chilli, cumin and a pinch of salt into a soft dough. Shape into 16 balls the size of a walnut.
- 3
Brush the koftas with half the oil and bake for 20 minutes, turning once, until golden.
20 min - 4
Cook the basmati rice to the packet instructions.
- 5
In a wide pan, heat the rest of the oil and add the garam masala for 20 seconds. Pour in your ready made saag spinach base (see the base recipe) and the cream. Simmer gently for 5 minutes.
5 min - 6
Add the baked koftas to the sauce, spoon over and warm through for 3 minutes without stirring hard. Serve with the rice.
3 min
Tips
- Chill the shaped koftas for 15 minutes if the mix feels soft. They hold their shape better.
- Baking instead of deep frying keeps the kitchen tidy and the koftas lighter.
- Add them to the sauce just before serving, or they soften and break.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 to 2 hours. Keeps for 2 days in the fridge. Reheat gently until steaming hot all the way through. The koftas can be frozen unsauced for 1 month.
Questions
Can I make the koftas vegan?
Yes. Use pressed firm tofu in place of the paneer and coconut cream in the sauce.
Why are my koftas falling apart?
The mix is too wet. Mash the potato dry, add another spoonful of cornflour and chill the balls before baking.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, if your garam masala is gluten free. Cornflour binds the koftas instead of wheat flour.
More made with saag (spiced spinach) base
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.