10 Easy Maharashtrian Dinner Recipes for Beginners

Maharashtrian home cooking leans on jowar and bajra flatbreads, plenty of lentils, peanuts, coconut and a small set of warming spices. Most weeknight dishes are one-pot, need no marination and use ingredients you probably already have — which makes this a sensible cuisine to learn Indian cooking with.

Every dish below links to its full recipe on Masala Spin, with the ingredient list and step-by-step method. Times and calorie figures come from those recipe cards.

Why Maharashtrian food suits beginners

The 10 dishes

1. Pithla Bhakri

A Maharashtrian everyday classic — a silky besan gravy poured over jowar bhakri.

• Total time: 35 min · Course: Lunch · Cuisine: Maharashtra (Indian)
• Estimated calories: about 480 kcal per serving (estimate — see note below)
• Main ingredients: besan, onion, green chillies, curry leaves, mustard seeds, turmeric powder
• Key step from the recipe: Cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the pithla thickens to a semi-liquid consistency and is cooked.
• Read the full Pithla Bhakri recipe

2. Misal Pav

Sprouted moth-bean curry topped with farsan, onion and coriander, scooped up with pav.

• Total time: 40 min · Course: Breakfast · Cuisine: Maharashtra (Indian)
• Estimated calories: about 550 kcal per serving (estimate — see note below)
• Main ingredients: sprouted moth beans, onion, tomato, Kanda Lasun Masala, goda masala, ginger-garlic paste
• Key step from the recipe: Serve hot usal in a bowl, topped with farsan, chopped onion, coriander, and lemon wedges, with pav on the side.
• Read the full Misal Pav recipe

3. Sabudana Khichdi

The fasting-day (upvas) favourite — sago pearls with peanuts and cumin.

• Total time: 25 min · Course: Breakfast · Cuisine: Maharashtra (Indian)
• Estimated calories: about 410 kcal per serving (estimate — see note below)
• Main ingredients: sabudana, roasted peanut powder, potato, green chillies, cumin seeds, curry leaves
• Key step from the recipe: Rinse sabudana well, then soak in just enough water overnight or for 4-5 hours until soft.
• Read the full Sabudana Khichdi recipe

4. Amti

Maharashtrian tangy dal with goda masala, best served over plain rice.

• Total time: 30 min · Course: Lunch · Cuisine: Maharashtra (Indian)
• Estimated calories: about 360 kcal per serving (estimate — see note below)
• Main ingredients: Toor dal, goda masala, tamarind pulp, jaggery, mustard seeds, cumin seeds
• Key step from the recipe: Add the mashed dal to the tempering. Add goda masala, tamarind pulp, jaggery, and salt.
• Read the full Amti recipe

5. Varan Bhat

Plain toor dal finished with ghee and lemon, poured over rice. Comfort food, minimal effort.

• Total time: 30 min · Course: Lunch · Cuisine: Maharashtra (Indian)
• Estimated calories: about 450 kcal per serving (estimate — see note below)
• Main ingredients: Toor dal, Basmati or Sona Masuri rice, turmeric powder, Salt to taste, ghee, cumin seeds
• Key step from the recipe: Wash dal and rice separately. Pressure cook dal with turmeric and 3 cups water for 3-4 whistles.
• Read the full Varan Bhat recipe

6. Thalipeeth

A multi-grain flatbread that uses a blend of flours — usually eaten with curd or butter.

• Total time: 25 min · Course: Breakfast · Cuisine: Maharashtra (Indian)
• Estimated calories: about 380 kcal per serving (estimate — see note below)
• Main ingredients: Thalipeeth bhajan, finely chopped onion, green chilli, chopped coriander, cumin powder, turmeric powder
• Key step from the recipe: Combine Thalipeeth bhajan, chopped onion, green chilli, coriander, cumin powder, turmeric, sesame seeds, and salt in a bowl.
• Read the full Thalipeeth recipe

7. Zunka

Drier cousin of pithla — crumbly besan cooked with onion and green chilli.

• Total time: 25 min · Course: Lunch · Cuisine: Maharashtra (Indian)
• Estimated calories: about 390 kcal per serving (estimate — see note below)
• Main ingredients: besan, onion, green chillies, curry leaves, mustard seeds, turmeric powder
• Key step from the recipe: Cook on low heat, breaking lumps, until the mixture becomes dry, crumbly, and cooked.
• Read the full Zunka recipe

8. Matki Usal

Sprouted moth-bean curry, pairs with pav, bhakri or chapati.

• Total time: 35 min · Course: Lunch · Cuisine: Maharashtra (Indian)
• Estimated calories: about 340 kcal per serving (estimate — see note below)
• Main ingredients: sprouted moth beans, onion, tomato, Kanda Lasun Masala, goda masala, ginger-garlic paste
• Key step from the recipe: Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes for flavors to meld.
• Read the full Matki Usal recipe

9. Bharli Vangi

Baby brinjals stuffed with a peanut-coconut masala — a special-occasion dish.

• Total time: 45 min · Course: Lunch · Cuisine: Maharashtra (Indian)
• Estimated calories: about 520 kcal per serving (estimate — see note below)
• Main ingredients: brinjals, roasted peanut powder, desiccated coconut, Kanda Lasun Masala, goda masala, tamarind pulp
• Key step from the recipe: Combine peanut powder, roasted coconut, Kanda Lasun Masala, goda masala, tamarind, jaggery, and salt.
• Read the full Bharli Vangi recipe

10. Masala Bhaat

A one-pot spiced rice from Maharashtra, traditionally made with goda masala.

• Total time: 30 min · Course: Dinner · Cuisine: Maharashtra (Indian)
• Estimated calories: about 420 kcal per serving (estimate — see note below)
• Main ingredients: Basmati or Ambemohar rice, potato, green peas, onion, Goda Masala, turmeric powder
• Key step from the recipe: Add chopped onion and sauté until golden. Add diced potato and peas, sauté for 5 minutes.
• Read the full Masala Bhaat recipe

Two more worth knowing

Practical tips

A note on the numbers: times and calorie figures on this page come from the recipe cards on Masala Spin. Calories are rough estimates for a single serving and will change with your portion size, the exact ingredients you use and how much fat you cook with.

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