Tikka Masala Vegetarian Pies (Printable)

Flaky pastry hand pies stuffed with vegetables in creamy spiced sauce

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 cup potato, peeled and diced
02 - 1 cup cauliflower florets
03 - 1 cup frozen peas
04 - 1 medium carrot, diced
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

→ Tikka Masala Sauce

08 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
09 - 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
10 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
11 - 1 teaspoon garam masala
12 - 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
13 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
14 - 1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
15 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
17 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste

→ Pastry

18 - 2 sheets ready-rolled puff pastry (approximately 17 ounces)
19 - 1 egg, lightly beaten or plant-based milk

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 390°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let sizzle for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add onion, garlic, and ginger to the skillet. Sauté until soft and fragrant, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Stir in ground coriander, garam masala, turmeric, and chili powder. Cook for 1 minute to release flavors.
05 - Add diced potato, carrot, and cauliflower. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Mix in tomato paste and crushed tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes to develop flavor.
07 - Stir in peas, salt, and pepper. Add cream, reduce heat, and cook until vegetables are tender and sauce thickens, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Allow filling to cool slightly.
08 - Roll out pastry sheets on a floured surface. Cut into 12 equal rectangles, approximately 4 x 6 inches each.
09 - Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling on one half of each rectangle, leaving a border. Brush edges with beaten egg or plant milk. Fold over to form a pocket and crimp edges with a fork.
10 - Transfer pies to the prepared tray. Brush tops with egg wash or plant milk.
11 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
12 - Cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of flaky golden pastry and rich spiced filling creates the most satisfying handheld comfort food
  • These freeze beautifully so you can keep homemade meals ready for busy weeks
  • The filling works just as well on its own served over rice if you want to skip the pastry step
02 -
  • The filling must be completely cool before assembling because even slightly warm filling will make the pastry bottom soggy and prevent proper puffing
  • Don't overfill your pies or the filling will burst out during baking and create a mess on your baking sheet
03 -
  • Use a pizza cutter to quickly cut your pastry into even rectangles
  • Brush off excess flour before crimping edges for better sealing