Step 1: Boil the Macaroni

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the macaroni, a little oil, and salt. Cook for 7 minutes for al dente pasta. Drain the pasta and spread it on a tray. Drizzle a little oil and toss to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prepare the Masala Base

Heat oil in a pan. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for a few seconds. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown. Add the green chili and ginger-garlic paste, and continue to sauté for another minute until the raw smell disappears.

Step 3: Cook the Masala

Add the chopped tomatoes, salt to taste, a pinch of turmeric powder, coriander powder, and chili powder. Mix everything well. Add a small amount of water and cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down, the masala thickens into a paste-like consistency (thokku), and oil begins to separate from the sides.

Step 4: Finish the Sauce

Add chopped coriander leaves to the cooked masala and mix. Then, pour in the tomato ketchup and stir until it is fully incorporated into the masala.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add the boiled macaroni to the pan with the sauce. Add more chopped coriander leaves and the butter. Toss everything together gently until the macaroni is evenly coated with the sauce.

Step 6: Add Final Touches and Serve

Sprinkle chili flakes and grate your desired amount of cheese over the pasta. Mix gently for about a minute until the cheese melts and becomes stringy. Serve the Indian-style macaroni pasta hot.

• Boil the pasta for exactly 7 minutes for a standard al dente texture. For a softer pasta, cook for one extra minute.

• After boiling and draining the pasta, toss it with a little oil on a tray to prevent it from sticking together while it cools.

• Cook the onion-tomato masala until it becomes a thick paste and the oil separates for the best flavor.

• Add chopped vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and peas along with the onions for a more nutritious meal.

• For a non-vegetarian version, add cooked minced chicken or paneer cubes to the masala.