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Top 15 Best Italian Cookbook Reviews

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Italian cookbook is loved across the world, for Italia’s unique cuisine and inspiring regional distinctions, from Parma to Sicily. However, do you know that it had been to the latter half of the 20th century, only the emergence of a handful of Italian cookbooks has brought people on the world back to the original taste of Italian cuisine?

This best Italian cookbook reviews will take you to explore the world of traditional Italian recipes through best stories told in these inspiring cookbooks! Stay tuned.

Why Is Italian Cookbook Special?

First and foremost, the creation of an Italian cookbook comes from the popularity of Italian cuisine all over the world. Thus, a cookbook is the easiest way to make your own Italian home cook while booking a direct flight to Europe might be out of your budget.

Further, more than an easy-to-cook recipe or a flavorful dish, any Italian cookbook shares the stories behind each recipe about Italian history and regional distinctions. Many authors combined with a joyful writing style and colorful pictures, each page of the book is such a vivid picture of Italian people and lifestyle in front of your eyes.

Last but not least, are you excited to discover many secret ingredients to upgrade your cooking to new levels? Each author always gives away a small “gift” or tip in their cookbook to help any amateurs or housewives to master their dishes with ease.

What Are The Best Italian Cookbooks?

This part is going to categorize the best Italian cookbooks according to people’s main interests. Why do you want to own a great Italian cookbook?

Let’s quickly scan my recommendations.

  • Best Overall: Food of the Italian South Cookbook
    “85 authentic recipes, 100 awesome photographs, culture and cooking tradition of Italian South, presents undiscovered recipes, show respect to local people and history stories.”
  • Best Budget for Keto: The DIRTY, LAZY, KETO Italian Cookbook
    “A keto focus, included detailed instruction, simple ingredients and techniques, 100 easy and accessible recipes, Plenty of menus for a Keto lifestyle.”
  • Best for Home Cooks: La Cucina – The Regional Cooking of Italy Cookbook
    “2000 authentic recipes, from the members of the Italian Academy of Cuisine, reveal historical value, an excellent source of achievable recipes, easy-to-follow and accessible.”
  • Best Veneto Recipes: Veneto: Recipes from an Italian Country Kitchen Cookbook
    “Inspired by the Venetian culinary repertoire, a selection of Venetian sweet treats, a wide range of both traditional and modern dishes, consistent story-telling.”
  • Best Abundant: The Silver Spoon New Edition Italian Cookbook
    “2,000+ authentic Italian recipes, intelligent layout, illustrated with many photography, 11 color‐coded chapters by course, a large number of recipes.”
  • Best for Pasta Lovers: Giuliano Hazan’s Thirty Minute Pasta Italian Cookbook
    “100 scrumptious pasta dishes, complete in half an hour or less, easy to follow, awesome additional soup recipes, simple directions, quick results, from pasta expert.’
  • Best for Vegans: Chloe’s Vegan Italian Kitchen Cookbook
    “150 recipes, full-color photographs, allergy-free and gluten-free ingredients, vegan-friendly, healthy ingredients, nice and attractive cover.”
  • Best for Desserts: Lidia’s Commonsense Italian Cooking
    “Recipes from generation to generation, 150 recipes, American-Italian style, well-written, simple and easy to follow.”
  • Best for Beginners: Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Cookbook Recipes
    “100+ recipes for home cooks, fresh and simple recipes, excellent cooking result without fuss, quick and accessible, based on real-life considerations.”
  • Best for Italophiles: Tasting Italy: A Culinary Journey Cookbook
    “Authentic Italian recipes, the cooperation of America’s Test Kitchen and National Geographic, 100 innovative, kitchen-tested recipes, 300 gorgeous color photographs, and 30 maps.”
  • Best Italian-American Classics: Favorite Italian-American Recipes Made Easy Cookbook
    “Recipes for simple, delicious Italian-American classics, 110 all-new recipes for quick-fix suppers, clear instructions, more than 100 color photographs.”
  • Best Accessible: Pasta Grannies: The Official Italian Home Cookbook
    “Recipes of great-tasting Italian food, easy and accessible, special recipes from Italian grandmothers, easy to follow, inspired reality stories.”
  • Best Rustic: Rustic Italian Food Cookbook
    “120 recipes, a wider range of foodstuffs, simple hands-on approach, detailed and step-by-step instructions, affordable, big on flavor, great for reference.”
  • Best Authentic: Ciao Italian Family Classics Cookbook
    “The famous author of Italian cookbook, 200+ recipes, eye-catching photographs, an enclosed story of family and Italian traditional, ideal for home cooks.”

Best Italian Cookbook Comparison Chart

The world of Italian Cookbook is full of mystery, and you can get lost sometimes. Let’s get started with this list of my best Italian cookbook recommendations.

Best Italian CookbooksDimensionWeightNumber of pagesNumber of recipesAuthorLanguage
Food of the Italian South Cookbook - Best Overall7.3 x 1.1 x 10.3 inches2 pounds25685Katie ParlaEnglish
The DIRTY, LAZY, KETO Italian Cookbook - Best Budget for Keto7 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches1.1 pounds224100Stephanie LaskaEnglish
La Cucina - The Regional Cooking of Italy Cookbook - Best for Home Cooks7.4 x 3 x 10.2 inches6.4 pounds9282000The Italian Academy of Cuisine
Veneto: Recipes from an Italian Country Kitchen Cookbook - Best Veneto Recipes7.8 x 1.2 x 9.8 inches2.2 pounds288100Valeria NecchioEnglish
The Silver Spoon New Edition Italian Cookbook - Best Abundant7.5 x 3 x 11 inches7 pounds15042000+The Silver Spoon KitchenEnglish
Giuliano Hazan's Thirty Minute Pasta Italian Cookbook - Best for Pasta Lovers8.4 x 0.9 x 9.4 inches1.9 pounds176100Giuliano HazanEnglish
Chloe's Vegan Italian Kitchen Cookbook - Best for Vegans7.4 x 0.8 x 9.1 inches1.8 pounds288150Chloe CoscarelliEnglish
Lidia's Commonsense Italian Cooking Cookbook - Best for Desserts8.2 x 0.9 x 9.4 inches2.1 pounds304150Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, Tanya BastianichEnglish
Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes Cookbook - Best for Beginners7.8 x 0.9 x 10 inches2.2 pounds256100+Giada De LaurentiisEnglish
Tasting Italy: A Culinary Journey Cookbook - Best for Italophiles9.5 x 1.2 x 11.1 inches4.2 pounds384100America's Test KitchenEnglish
Laura in the Kitchen: Favorite Italian-American Recipes Made Easy Cookbook - Best Italian-American Classics7.6 x 0.8 x 9.3 inches1.8 pounds240110Laura VitaleEnglish
Pasta Grannies: The Official Italian Cookbook - Best Accessible7.7 x 1.3 x 10 inches2.4 pounds25680Vicky BennisonEnglish
Giada's Italy: My Recipes for La Dolce Vita Cookbook9.5 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches2.3 pounds288100Giada De LaurentiisEnglish
Rustic Italian Food Cookbook - Best Rustic8.8 x 1.2 x 10.3 inches2.8 pounds304120Marc VetriEnglish
Ciao Italia Family Classics Cookbook - Best Authentic8.3 x 1.4 x 9.9 inches2.8 pounds464200+Mary Ann EspositoEnglish

Top 15 Best Italian Cookbook Reviews

Gaining understanding from the experienced expert in the electronics gadget market can help you select the best Italian cookbook quickly without fuss. Here below is my recommended choice of Italian cookbook.

Let’s get started with the first option.

1. Food of the Italian South Cookbook 

(Best Overall)

Food of the Italian South Cookbook

Food of the Italian South comes from the passion of a Rome-based journalist-author – Katie Parla. The book focuses deep into the authentic cuisine of the Italian South.

It is such an inspiring journey from the farmlands of Campania, mountainous Basilicata, coastal Puglia, quaint Molise, and rugged Calabria. On each page, Katie makes her effort to blend the stories of Italia culture, cuisine, and history. You can name it both a cookbook and a guidebook to discover the hidden places of Southern Italy.

But the author does not underrate the function of cuisine introduction. With more than 100 recipes and full-color photographers, the instruction is straightforward and accessible.

Key Features:

  • 85 authentic recipes
  • 100 awesome photographs
  • Culture and cooking tradition of Italian South

Pros

  • Presents undiscovered recipes
  • Show respect to local people and history stories
  • Reflects how recipes have changed over time
  • Well story-telling
  • Easy to read

Cons

  • Many personal experiences during the journey do not relate to Italian cuisine

Product Specifications:

Weight2 pounds
Dimensions7.3 x 1.1 x 10.3 inches
Number of recipes85
Photos includedYes
LanguageEnglish
AuthorKatie Parla
Format availableKindle, Hardcover

Watch this video before making your purchase! You will understand more about this book:

Watch video: Food of the Italian South Insalata di Limone

2. The DIRTY, LAZY, KETO Italian Cookbook 

(Best Budget for Keto)

The DIRTY, LAZY, KETO Cookbook

Who says it is impossible to cook Italia food in a Keto diet? The DIRTY, LAZY, KETO Cookbook is a true story to get free of 140 pounds from the author to offer a real-world approach for any keto dieters. The book consists of 100 Italian nutrition-rich recipes with less than 10 net carbs for each serving, and the ingredients can be found in any local groceries with ease.

You can pick any recipes in the category of Budget Friendly, Fancy Enough For Guests, and Keto Super Stars with non-pressure on cooking experiences. Ultimately, this cookbook is amazingly affordable for you to get started with a sustainable weight loss diet.

Key Features:

  • A keto focus
  • Included detailed instruction
  • Simple ingredients and techniques
  • 100 easy and accessible recipes

Pros

  • Suitable for both beginners and experienced Keto veteran
  • High sense of humor across the book
  • Right knowledge to lose weight
  • Encourage a healthy life
  • Adapt to non-heat menus
  • More menus for more leisurely Keto lifestyle

Cons

  • Many recipes are not familiar in the UK
  • No photos

Product Specifications:

Weight1.1 pounds
Dimensions7 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
Number of recipes100
Photos includedNo
LanguageEnglish
AuthorStephanie Laska
Available FormatsKindle, Paperback, Spiral-bound

I highlight this useful video to give you more information about this intensive cookbook. Check it out!

Watch video: Instant Protein Pizza from The DIRTY, LAZY KETO Cookbook

3. La Cucina – The Regional Cooking of Italy Cookbook 

(Best for Home Cooks)

La Cucina - The Regional Cooking of Italy Cookbook

La Cucina – The Regional Cooking of Italy is the first and foremost completed Italian cookbook ever published in the English language. It gets attention by wrapping over 2,000 recipes for intermediate and advanced levels.

The main story is seemingly a journey across Italia and reflects the local cuisine tradition. It perfectly presents the depth and breadth of the offerings as well as the history of the regional recipes.

Therefore, you can find this thorough cookbook a great start to get into Italian regional cuisine. However, it does not feature photos or pictures during 900 pages, which can be one slight disadvantage.

Key Features:

  • 2000 authentic recipes
  • From the members of the Italian Academy of Cuisine
  • Reveal historical value
  • Excellent source of achievable recipes

Pros

  • Reflects the diversity of Italian cuisine
  • In the attempt to preserve the Italian culture
  • Italian-familiar ingredient
  • Best for intermediate chefs and housewives

Cons

  • Not well-layout
  • Better with photos included

Product Specifications:

Weight6.4 pounds
Dimensions7.4 x 3 x 10.2 inches
Number of recipes2000
Photos includedNo
LanguageEnglish
AuthorThe Italian Academy of Cuisine
Available formatHardcover

Foreigners who considering Italian food is only spaghetti, meatballs and pizza should read this! You can check out about La Cucina: The Regional Cooking of Italy’s great sharing here:

Watch video: La Cucina The Regional Cooking of Italy

4. Veneto: Recipes from an Italian Country Kitchen Cookbook 

(Best Veneto Recipes)

Veneto: Recipes from an Italian Country Kitchen Cookbook

Veneto: Recipes from an Italian Country Kitchen comes from a hearty food-writer, cook, and photographer: Valeria Necchio. The cookbook draws a picture of the food and flavors at the heart of the Veneto region in North-Eastern Italy.

You might love this book not only for many mouth-watering recipes but also for Valeria’s memories of the people and places. She tasted, talked with the locals during the trips to record the most real-world about this many places.

Plus, these recipes are stunning, expecting to offer the most mouth-watering bunch of sweet Italian treats.

Key Features:

  • Inspired by the Venetian culinary repertoire
  • A selection of Venetian sweet treats
  • A wide range of both traditional and modern dishes
  • Consistent story-telling

Pros

  • Attractive book cover
  • Bring the meaning to every single recipe
  • Recipes are open to changes
  • Easy to follow
  • Suitable for gifting

Cons

  • Not as many recipes as other cookbooks

Product Specifications:

Weight2.2 pounds
Dimensions7.8 x 1.2 x 9.8 inches
Number of recipes100
Photos includedYes
LanguageEnglish
AuthorValeria Necchio
Available formatsKindle, Hardcover

You can understand more about this favorable cookbook in the video below!

Watch video: Veneto - Recipes from an Italian Country Kitchen

5. The Silver Spoon New Edition Italian Cookbook 

(Best Abundant)

The Silver Spoon New Edition Cookbook

This is considered the Italian version of “The Joy of Cooking” of Italy, then translated into English, and named as the most influential and bestselling Italian cookbook of the last 50 years.

This power might come from a superb easy-to-follow layout and short, simple recipes. It seems that you can start of the kitchen. One more highlight for its practical application is the coverage of all basics food of Italian cuisine.

However, some readers require consistency in units and measurement; thus, the book is translated into English, leading to the changes from the metric units used in Italy and Europe to American style.

Key Features:

  • 2,000+ authentic Italian recipes
  • Intelligent layout
  • Illustrated with many photography
  • 11 color‐coded chapters by course

Pros

  • Crowd-pleasing
  • Bible for serious Italian chefs
  • Highly adaptive to modern taste
  • A large number of recipes
  • Wonderful photos

Cons

  • Some ingredients are not accessible in the grocery stores
  • Inconsistent measurement of ingredients

Product Specifications:

Weight7 pounds
Dimensions7.5 x 3 x 11 inches
Number of recipes2000+
Photos includedYes
LanguageItalian/English
AuthorThe Silver Spoon Kitchen
Available format Hardcover, Paperback

Strongly recommended for cooks of all stages, culinary school students, and food lovers. Why don’t use check out this in-depth YouTube video to discover this book more?

Watch video: Puglia - The Silver Spoon

6. Giuliano Hazan’s Thirty Minute Pasta Italian Cookbook 

(Best for Pasta Lovers)

Giuliano Hazan's Thirty Minute Pasta Cookbook

Pasta is my love, and absolutely, Giuliano Hazan’s Thirty Minute Pasta is the apple of my eyes!

You can have your flavorful pasta in less than 30 minutes with this cookbook because Giuliano Hazan offers them 100 pasta recipes cooked in time-pressed meals.

He also offers excellent tips and guidelines on how to make tasty pasta soups, vegetarian dishes as well as meat and seafood dishes enclosed with fundamentals in culinary such as picking the right equipment or pairing the pasta with sauce.

You can easily find Giuliano Hazan’s book very accessible!

Key Features:

  • 100 scrumptious pasta dishes
  • Complete in half an hour or less
  • Session to pair pasta shape & sauce

Pros

  • Easy to follow
  • Awesome additional soup recipes
  • Simple directions, quick results
  • From pasta expert
  • Delicious cooking results

Cons

  • Some readers consider the cookbook is heavy with cream recipes
  • No alternative options for fresh tomatoes when fresh tomatoes are not available all year round

Product Specifications:

Weight1.9 pounds
Dimensions8.4 x 0.9 x 9.4 inches
Number of recipes100
Photos includedYes
LanguageEnglish
AuthorGiuliano Hazan
Available formatKindle, Hardcover

Let’s embrace the highlights of my beloved Giuliano Hazan’s Thirty Minute Pasta here!

Watch video: Italian Cookbook Author Makes Linguine Dish With Fruity Twist

7. Chloe’s Vegan Italian Kitchen Cookbook 

(Best for Vegans)

Chloe's Vegan Italian Kitchen Cookbook

Coming back as the winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, Chloe Coscarelli hit the board with this bible for vegan enthusiasts.

If you just scan the book, you feel Wow! All recipe is super easy. The photographs look delicious that your food can keep attracting people in the joyfulness of cuisine. But these recipes have the power to convert all fat-rich dishes into delicious healthy meals. And you do not have to exchange any pieces of your enjoyment.

Chloe says Yes to Pizza with a new breath of making pizza by pan recipes! You can name them as Crumbled “Sausage” and “Mozzarella” Pizza, Butternut Squash, Caramelized Onion, and Apple Pizza.

And the must-try vegan menu with Chloe includes Potato Gnocchi, Lasagna Bolognese, and Eggplant Parmesan.

With Chloe’s recipes collection, let’s make the impossible possible!

Key Features:

  • 150 recipes
  • Full-color photographs
  • Allergy-free and gluten-free ingredients

Pros

  • Vegan-friendly
  • Healthy ingredients
  • Nice and attractive cover
  • Inspired vegetarian cooking
  • Bright and lively personality on every page

Cons

  • Some inaccurate measurement for ingredients

Product Specifications:

Weight1.8 pounds
Dimensions7.4 x 0.8 x 9.1 inches
Number of recipes150
Photos includedYes
LanguageEnglish
AuthorChloe Coscarelli
Available formatKindle, Paperback

Let’s stay in this video for a second and WOW for this cookbook’s recipes:

Watch video: Chloe's Vegan Italian Kitchen by Chloe Coscarelli

8. Lidia’s Commonsense Italian Cooking 

(Best for Desserts)

Lidia's Commonsense Italian Cooking Cookbook

Lidia Bastianich is a famous name in America, and she fulfilled the mission to bring Italian cuisine to American kitchens in this book.

The book is categorized into sections, including appetizers, soups, salads, vegetables, pasta, fish, meats, and desserts. She made an effort to blow the new breath into the traditional recipes. When it comes to dessert, Lidia draws on the scared customs of nuns in Italian monasteries and opens the secret to rice pudding with heaven taste. You can name some highlight recipes in the book, such as an apple cake, cookies, and several rice pudding variations. All are the must-try dessert recipes for cooks at all levels.

Key Features:

  • Recipes from generations to generations
  • 150 recipes
  • American-Italian style
  • Well-written recipes

Pros

  • Used on different occasions
  • New and old combination in one recipe
  • Easy enough for beginners
  • Outstanding flavor

Cons

  • Many ingredients are impossible to find in America
  • Some repeated recipes from Lidia’s other books

Product Specifications:

Weight2.1 pounds
Dimensions8.2 x 0.9 x 9.4 inches
Number of recipes150
Photos includedYes
LanguageEnglish
AuthorLidia Matticchio Bastianich, Tanya Bastianich
Available formatKindle, Hardcover

Still thinking? I hope this video can help you to make the decision:

Watch video: The Dish - Italian Cuisine Master Lidia Bastianich

9. Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Cookbook Recipes 

(Best for Beginners)

Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes Cookbook

As clarified in the name, in this hit cookbook, Giada De Laurentiis presents you which how to complete a fabulous meal in a flash for Everyday Cooking. Such amazing!

These recipes are so practical because you always possibly find something to cook with the remaining foodstuffs in the fridge. She will guide you with a sense of creativity and more than 100 recipes in this book.

You might feel grateful because the book is designed with many best quality photographers of completed dishes, which are such a great inspiration for your start. However, you might find too many photos of the author to fill the page.

Key Features:

  • 100+ recipes for home cooks
  • Fresh and simple recipes
  • Excellent cooking result without fuss

Pros

  • Quick and accessible
  • Based on real-life considerations
  • Use the most of what is available in your pantry
  • Great sharing with women about life and cooking
  • Quick meal preparation

Cons

  • Many text colors on one page
  • The size of printing is small

Product Specifications:

Weight2.2 pounds
Dimensions7.8 x 0.9 x 10 inches
Number of recipes100+
Photos includedYes
LanguageEnglish
AuthorGiada De Laurentiis
Available formatKindle, Hardcover

This video sums up the experience with Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes Cookbook. You might want to check it out!

Watch video: Everyday Italian Season 07

10. Tasting Italy: A Culinary Journey Cookbook 

(Best for Italophiles)

Tasting Italy: A Culinary Journey Cookbook

The book is well-illustrated by 300 gorgeous color photographs and 30 maps to capture an inspiring discovery throughout the long-term history of Italian cuisine geographically. When the food experts come in any region, they are likely to look for the foolproof recipes for the shiny dishes or discover the hidden ingredients/techniques.

Although the techniques in the cookbook require intermediate and professional cooking skills, chefs and advanced home cook can find it a great source of inspiration while putting their passion in making the fabulous Italian dishes.

Key Features:

  • Authentic Italian recipes
  • The cooperation of America’s Test Kitchen and National Geographic
  • 100 innovative, kitchen-tested recipes
  • 300 gorgeous color photographs, and 30 maps

Pros

  • Sharing from the experts
  • Vivid photos
  • Find out about regional distinctions
  • Enclose with lists of culinary festivals, and poetic prose in Italy
  • Come with maps

Cons

  • Not an impressive quantity of recipes

Product Specifications:

Weight4.2 pounds
Dimensions9.5 x 1.2 x 11.1 inches
Number of recipes100
Photos includedYes
LanguageEnglish
AuthorAmerica’s Test Kitchen
Available formatHardcover

The tips shared in this video can help you to master this great Italian cookbook!

Watch video: Tasting Italy - A Culinary Journey Cookbook

11. Laura in the Kitchen Italian Cookbook

(Best Italian-American Classics)

Laura in the Kitchen: Favorite Italian-American Recipes Made Easy Cookbook

Many TV and YouTube viewers love the author – Laura Vitale on the million-viewed cooking shows “Laura in the Kitchen” with mastering America-Italian food. Therefore, this book is best-selling products because lots of fans want to enjoy her beautiful recipes in the comfort of home.

She pours her heart into each recipe for a quick serving but still enhances the crazy attractive flavor. What people also love about Laura in the kitchen is the appealing photos for almost every recipe. In summary, when most of the cookbooks can take you to the kitchen entrance, this cookbook is enabled to have you running to the kitchen to start cooking a delicious meal.

Key Features:

  • Recipes for simple, delicious Italian-American classics
  • 110 all-new recipes for quick-fix suppers
  • Clear instructions
  • More than 100 color photographs

Pros

  • Best for America-Italian cooking style
  • Great sauce recipes
  • Ideal for beginners
  • Simple recipes that everyone can achieve

Cons

  • Not the authentic Italian recipes
  • Some readers underrate the recipes as too fancy and formal for home cooks

Product Specifications:

Weight1.8 pounds
Dimensions7.6 x 0.8 x 9.3 inches
Number of recipes110
Photos includedYes
LanguageEnglish
AuthorLaura Vitale
Available formatKindle, Hardcover

It is worth you few minutes to check more about these mouth-watering recipes through this video:

Watch video: One Pot Single Step Spaghetti Recipe - Laura Vitale

12. Pasta Grannies: The Official Italian Cookbook 

(Best Accessible)

Pasta Grannies: The Official Cookbook

This book is truly a culture trip of Vicky Bennison—a British storyteller across the Italian in five years to interview recipes from grandmas in Italia. They are more than 75 grandmas who are over 65 years old and have made pasta by hand daily.

On each page, you will be amazed by how simple the pasta can be made through generations and the variation from different regions.
While many people rate this book as a cultural treasure, yet it contains a wealth of heritage that one day could be lost from the story of Grannies and traditional pasta-making techniques, others love the book for being highly practical for daily usage.

Key Features:

  • Recipes of great-tasting Italian food
  • Easy and accessible
  • Special recipes from Italian grandmothers

Pros

  • Pasta-focused
  • Easy to follow
  • Inspired reality stories
  • Ideal for home cooks
  • An excellent choice for beginners

Cons

  • Hope for more recipes
  • Not impressive quality of photographs

Product Specifications:

Weight2.4 pounds
Dimensions7.7 x 1.3 x 10 inches
Number of recipes80
Photos includedYes
LanguageEnglish
AuthorVicky Bennison
Available formatKindle, Hardcover

Pasta Grannies has gone beyond the words and photos to be filmed on YouTube. Such a high impact! You can know more about this cookbook via this video:

Watch video: The Story of Pasta Grannies

13. Giada’s Italy: My Recipes for La Dolce Vita Cookbook

Giada's Italy: My Recipes for La Dolce Vita Cookbook

Was born in Rome but grew up in Los Angeles, it is safe to say the book author – Giada De Laurentiis has brought the whole breath of Italian-America cooking style into this cookbook.

This book offers step-by-step instructions with easy to follow recipes for people who start to cook. The variety ranges from simple weeknight dinners to luxurious weekend indulgences and party food. Therefore, this cookbook can be the dictionary for all Italian basics, and you never worry about getting lost on this inspirational food journey.

The most significant recipes you must try are Grilled Swordfish with Candied Lemon Salad, Spaghetti with Chianti and Fava Beans or Asparagus with Grilled Melon Salad.

Key Features:

  • American-Italian recipes
  • Personalized style
  • Enclosed with individual tips
  • Stunning photos of Italia

Pros

  • Home cook-friendly
  • A new flavor to familiar cook
  • Great inspiration
  • High-quality photos
  • Nutrition-rich recipes

Cons

  • The needed ingredients might be not available in many regions of America
  • The recipes are not new

Product Specifications:

Weight2.3 pounds
Dimensions9.5 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
Number of recipes100
Photos includedYes
LanguageEnglish
AuthorGiada De Laurentiis
Available formatKindle, Hardcover

Cooking is an art. Why don’t you inspire you by such an inspiring cookbook like Giada’s Italy: My Recipes for La Dolce Vita? Get to know more about the book in the video here:

Watch video: Giada’s Italy - My Recipes for La Dolce Vita

14. Rustic Italian Food Cookbook 

(Best Rustic)

Rustic Italian Food Cookbook

Not in the ingredient lists, Chef Vetri shows his passion for the chapter introductions and cooking instructions. Step by step and very detailed sharing, you might feel Chef Vetri is standing right in your kitchen to teach about the fundamentals of culinary.

He layered the cookbook with expertise that builds the foundation for a home cook to upgrade their food with understanding. For example, why must it need a honey starter in one bread recipe but a sourdough starter in another? Similarly, let’s put some eggs on some pasta doughs and never try eggs on the others!”

Through this book, Marc Vetri connects us directly to the essence of Italian food with step-by-step and detailed instructions. After reading this book, it is more likely that you can create a wonderful meal for your family and friends.

Key Features:

  • 120 recipes
  • A more extensive range of foodstuffs
  • Simple hands-on approach

Pros

  • Detailed and step-by-step instructions
  • Affordable
  • Big on flavor
  • Great for reference
  • Best for an intermediate home cooker or more

Cons

  • No accurate measurement of ingredients
  • Heavy to carry

Product Specifications:

Weight2.8 pounds
Dimensions8.8 x 1.2 x 10.3 inches
Number of recipes120
Photos includedYes
LanguageEnglish
AuthorMarc Vetri
Available formatKindle, Hardcover

15. Ciao Italia Family Classics Cookbook 

(Best Authentic)

Ciao Italia Family Classics Cookbook

Following the success of her previous well-known cookbooks, Mary Ann Esposito now brings you one more treasure trove, named Cia Italia Family Classic. This is her next passion after more than 25 years of engaging in authentic Italian dishes!

This cookbook embraces more than 200 recipes of traditional, everyday foods that passed down through Italian generations. Even better, most of the ingredients are easy to find in any chains of the kitchen.

You can fall in love with many delicious-looking full-color photographs on the rise, so vivid to be real from her kitchen straightaway to your table.

Key Features:

  • The famous author of Italian cookbook
  • 200+ recipes
  • Eye-catching photographs
  • Enclosed story of family and Italian traditional

Pros

  • Learn from experts
  • Get familiar with recipes via TV show
  • Ideal for home cooks
  • Easy-to-find ingredients

Cons

  • Not detailed instruction on cooking times, only using individual feelings to indicate the time

Product Specifications:

Weight2.8 pounds
Dimensions8.3 x 1.4 x 9.9 inches
Number of recipes200+
Photos includedYes
LanguageEnglish
AuthorMary Ann
Available formatKindle, Hardcover

Mary Ann Esposito has become part of the Italian cuisine history. Therefore, you can learn from the expert through this cookbook. Find out more about the book in the below video:

Watch video: Ciao Italia Family Classics More than 200 Treasured Recipes

How to Find the Best Italian Cookbook?

Whether a voracious cookbook reader or a hurry-recipes seeker, your choice of Italian cookbook possibly opens the door for the discovery of Italian national people and culture. Therefore, do not undermine your purchase and stare at how to choose the best Italian cookbook here.

Language

Many ancient Italian cookbooks are written in Italian language only while some well-known publication has translated into English. Check this when you want to make a purchase online.

Is the Context Transparent and Inspiring?

Reading a cookbook is seemingly a “blind” conversation between you and the author. Make sure their context connects you with positive excitement and present easy-to-follow recipes.

Are There High-Quality Pictures?

This concern stays among the top requirements of many readers as they feel the colorful photos of the dishes encouraging them to get started.

The Required Cooking Level

While some Italian cookbook is written for beginners with step-to-step introductions, many high-level cookbooks aims to serve the trained chefs or restaurant managers with a higher requirement of cooking knowledge.

The Specialized or Universal Recipes

Many Italian cookbooks concentrate 100+ recipes to cook the most famous dish, such as pasta, pizza, or meatballs. However, the universal cookbook can offer a variety of methods to suit family meals or local cuisine discovery.

Consider Dietary Classification

If you are vegan, vegetarian, or enthusiastic in a keto diet, you should find some vegan-friendly cookbooks. There are also many replacements for some healthy ingredients you might get allergies or do not get familiar with.

Your Budget

Does your meal include the expensive ingredients and high-quality foodstuffs? You might want to pick up another reasonable recipe that fits your tight wallet. Don’t worry because there are many choices of cookbooks available.

Best Ways to Enjoy Italian Cookbook

After all, the worst thing when owning an intensive Italian cookbook is leaving it untouched. Therefore, wrap these tips first to best enjoy your Italian cookbook in comfort!

Only Try 01 Italian Cookbook Per Week:

This is simple but stays at the most important bullet. When you do not get lost in the world of recipes and dive deeply into one favorite recipe, you can be amazed for the smooth work. You feel focused and have a sense of fulfillment when you finish.

Hence, stay moderate and stick to only one cookbook for a week.

Make a Corner Only for Upcoming Recipes:

Don’t stop your plan to make your Italian menu a reality by lacking ingredients or eating all the fresh vegetables by mistakes. Please keep one separated corner and store all the planned components to use in your next recipes.

Get Ready With Bookmarks and Highlight:

It is maybe not as a dream to succeed with the first recipe. Or what if you just jump in your favorite parts of the book? Don’t hesitate to mark the pages thoroughly for checking next time.

This habit can be time-saving if you dog-ear the next recipe in advance for less time spent on scanning and considering.

Create Your Reviews and Notes:

The only thing sadder than an underrated meal is the same mistakes made twice. A mini-reviews noted by you in the Italian cookbook can give you quick tips next time you come back.

Handwritten notes are also high to record sweet memories when you cooked, and this cheers you up time after time you follow with the book.

Learn and Create:

A thorough Italian cookbook is a great ambition, but consider them as a template only. Let’s feel free to add more ingredients you want or replace some foodstuffs with a similar available replacement. This can help you to get more use out of your cookbooks and discover your sense of creativity.

Some readers can find it easy to quit their Italian cookbook after the introduction part or to finish some sessions only. Let’s change the way you read by the above tips and see the difference!

FAQs

It is understandable that you got excited about loads of Italian cookbooks and feel difficult to make the final decision. Let’s share with me in this part about the primary concerns readers keep asking me about the Italian cookbook! You might find many of them useful in your case!

How To Define Cooking Levels To Select The Suitable Cookbook?

It depends on how familiar you have been with Italian cuisine to define your Italian cookbook’s suitability. Here is my proposed reference:

  • Beginner: You have exposure to cooking and understand essential Italian recipes, but you lack practical experience. You can start with the step-by-step cookbook for newbies.
  • Intermediate and Advanced: You have experience with and can carry out the skill, but you long for advanced cooking techniques and inspiration. The in-depth cookbook for restaurants and chefs can take you a tour of the world of Italian cuisine.
How To Read A Recipe In The Right Way?

Firstly, spend time on a rapid look at all recipes from top to bottom. After you have the initial understanding of needed ingredients and equipment, you should start following the recipe with a clock timer. Please already get ready with some Do-ahead tasks, such as preheat the oven.

Don’t underestimate the right meaning of standard cooking terms, such as julienned carrot, which indicates the cut of the carrot into pieces about the size and shape of matchsticks.

Are The Cookbook Authors Famous Chefs?

It is the fact that Most Italian Cookbooks focused on presenting in-depth recipes are written by the most professional chefs or some famous TV Cooks & Celebrity Chefs – host of the renowned Cooking series.

However, many journalists have blended the regional stories with recording the local recipes during their journey across the country, and their cookbooks gain popularity for real-life experiences and the diversity of local Italian cuisine.

My Top Pick

My favorite cookbook is Food of the Italian South, after years of discovering among the world of cookbooks about Italian cooking. Words can be useless among those beautiful recipes and stunning photos in this passionate cookbook.

With 85 original and reimagined recipes that bring the breath of Italian regionally unique dishes and staples, Food of the Italian South touches on what I am profoundly expecting – the most signature cuisine of Italia!

How about you? Let’s share your favorite Italian cookbook in the below comments.

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