Tikka Masala Mac ‘n Cheese

Got the conception of this dish from

Chef Preeti Mistry who also has an amazing book called “The Juhu Beach Club Cookbook” if you like in your face amazing flavours.

So I decided to make this with my recipe of butter chicken base. But this is a vegetarian recipe which can easily made vegan with substitutions like coconut cream, nutritional yeast and vegan butter.

Of course you can add whatever else you’d like with it be it some protein like chicken or even some paneer tikka. Or even some jalapeños *insert yaaaas gif* — make it your own.

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Ingredients

• 16 oz elbow macaroni (1 bag)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon cream cheese
• 1 cup parmesan
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium shallot
• 1/2 cup tomato paste or a 6 oz can
• 1/2 teaspoon coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 4 to 5 cloves garlic
• 1 inch ginger
• 1/3 cup cilantro

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Directions

1. Put water to boil on the stove for the pasta — make sure to salt it generously. And cook pasta according to the instructions — about 9 minutes usually.
2. In a oven safe pan/pot heat the butter and add in chopped shallots and fry for a minute and in all the spices. Make sure to cook it out and grate in garlic and ginger and cook it for 1 to 2 minutes — add in a splash of water if it seems like the spices are close to burning.
3. Add in the tomato paste and about up-to 1/2 cup of water cook for 2 minutes then add in the heavy cream and cream cheese and incorporate. Cook for about 3 minutes — the sauce will start to thicken.
4. Add in half cup of parmesan and toss in elbow macaroni into the pan and give it a good mix incorporate everything.
5. Top with the rest of the parmesan (feel free to add more or any other kind of melty cheese of choice) and broil for up-to 5 minutes. Keep an eye on the pasta in the oven — since every oven varies.
6. Garnish with cilantro and serve. I paired my with some chicken tikka boti but feel free to eat it by itself or pair it with anything of your choice.

*I have a Tiktok out there in the interwebs of me making this. If you are a visual learner like me.