Two of the easiest meals that people prepare for their families are pasta or pizza.
Both of these things are staples of Italian cuisine, however, there is a huge difference between cooking a frozen pizza or opening a jar of sauce, and preparing Italian food from scratch.
If you want to dip your toe into the world of authentic Italian food, investing in a quality Italian cookbook is the place to start.
There are infinite amounts of Italian cookbooks on the market. However, some of the best are written by female chefs.
The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan is an award-winning Italian cookbook.
Aside from the awards, there are numerous other chefs who have praised this book.
As the name suggests, this cookbook covers the essential elements of Italian cooking.
Once you have mastered the contents of this cookbook, you can cook almost any Italian dish.
While the recipes in this book might not feature the most complex meals of all time, they ensure that you will be able to create authentic Italian dishes that are bursting with flavor from scratch.
This is the perfect cookbook for home cooks who want to master the basics of Italian cooking.
Pros
An amazing introduction to the basics of Italian cooking
Filled with helpful tips and tricks to get your pasta dishes just right
Perfect for home cooks of all experience levels
Interesting pieces of narrative to provide context for the dishes
Cons
There are no photographs or illustrations in the book which might be off-putting for some
This is another cookbook that does exactly what it says on the front. Anna Del Conte On Pasta by Anna Del Conte is the only Italian cookbook that you need in order to make the perfect pasta dish every time.
If you find yourself cooking the same few pasta dishes week after week, this is the ideal cookbook for you.
There are 120 recipes in this amazing book.
The best thing about the recipes, other than their authenticity, is the fact that many of the recipes can be made in just a few minutes.
The start of this cookbook will teach you about the history of pasta.
The recipes will teach you how to make delicious pasta dishes for your family.
Pros
Delves into the history of classic Italian dishes
Provides delicious, authentic recipes that are quick to make
Clear and easy to follow instructions
A classic Italian cookbook that is full of essential recipes
Cons
This cookbook has no pictures which some people dislike
If you are interested in the type of cooking that you would experience in the Italian capital, this is the book for you.
My Kitchen In Rome: Recipes And Notes On Italian Cooking by Rachel Roddy provides incredible insight into Italian cooking from an English Expat’s perspective.
This book is half cookbook and half memoir chronicling a year of recipes from Rachel’s small Italian kitchen.
If you are new to Italian cooking, this is the perfect cookbook for you.
Starting from scratch, you can embark on your Italian cooking journey alongside Rachel and discover authentic Italian recipes through the book.
Pros
An interesting mix of narrative and and recipes
Authentic Italian recipes
An introduction to simple Italian recipes
Beautiful photographs and illustrations
Cons
Some of the helpful tips can be buried in the narrative which is inconvenient
The Silver Spoon by The Silver Spoon Kitchen is a collaborative cookbook that has been contributed to by many female chefs (see also "Female Hell’s Kitchen Sous Chefs We Adore").
There is a reason why this cookbook is one of the most popular Italian cookbooks of the last 50 years.
There are over 2,000 recipes in this cookbook that you can make at home.
The book has a super user-friendly format and the recipes feature traditional Italian ingredients from different regions throughout the country.
There is even a section in the book on how to compose a traditional Italian meal from start to finish.
Pros
Collaborative format provides diverse recipes
Recipes are taken from all over Italy
User-friendly format makes it easy to grab the book from the shelf
The recipes are authentic home cooking recipes that will transport you to the Mediterranean
Cons
The measurements are in imperial format not metric
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Pasta Grannies: The Official Cookbook By Vicky Bennison
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As the name suggests, this cookbook focuses on traditional Italian home cooking recipes that have been used by Nonnas for decades.
Pasta Grannies: The Official Cookbook by Vicky Bennison is the ultimate guide to the secrets of Italy’s best home cooking.
There is nothing quite like those recipes that get passed down from generation to generation.
The ones that don’t really have set measurements and are made with love and care instead of scales.
This cookbook is full of these types of recipes from true Italian Nonnas themselves.
Pros
Truly authentic Italian recipes from Nonnas
Classic pasta recipes that are simple to make
Clear and easy instructions for recipes
Features interesting techniques and tips
Cons
The Photographs aren’t always relevant to the recipe
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Trattoria: The Best of Casual Italian Cooking By Mary Beth Clark
These books are filled with authentic, traditional recipes that are bursting with Italian flavors and perfect for sharing with your loved ones.
Consider Your Skill Level
This is something that should be considered whenever you are buying any sort of cookbook.
There are so many reasons why you might want to purchase a cookbook that is filled with extravagant and complex recipes.
However, if you are unable to successfully complete these recipes, the book will end up just gathering dust.
Instead, you should aim for cookbooks that are suitable for your level of skill and experience.
Most Italian cookbooks are fairly simple as Italian cooking is all about making your ingredients work harder than you do.
Consider Your Dietary Requirements
Another important thing to consider when purchasing any type of cookbook is the dietary requirements of people in your household or that you may be cooking for.
If you are vegetarian, there is no point buying a cookbook that is 80% meat-based recipes.
Similarly, you should check Italian cookbooks to see how heavy they are on seafood recipes.
There are certain areas of Italy where it is difficult to find anything other than seafood dishes due to their coastal location.
This can be overwhelming in a cookbook outside of coastal areas.
Cookbooks that focus on more than one region of Italy will provide you with more diverse recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Constitutes An Italian Cookbook?
The only thing a cookbook needs to be considered Italian is to feature Italian recipes, most of which will be pasta.
However, if you want a more authentic experience cooking at home, a cookbook featuring Italian recipes that has been written by an Italian chef or cook is your best bet.
I'm Barbara Hunt, the founder of WomenChefs.org. Being a mom of two, I understand the challenges of meal planning and the monotony it can bring.
That's why I created WomenChefs.org, a platform dedicated to showcasing the skills and delicious dishes crafted by amazing women. My goal is to provide a space where women can find delectable recipes that tantalize their taste buds and ignite their senses.
I hope you'll join me in exploring WomenChefs.org and discovering your next favorite recipe. Let's embrace culinary diversity and try something new together!
