If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I have a bit of a cookbook problem. (Is it a problem if it brings you joy? I don’t think so!)
There’s just something about flipping through a well-loved Italian cookbook—dog-eared pages, a little flour in the spine, maybe a scribbled note in the margin—that feels like having a friend in the kitchen with you.
Over the years, I’ve collected a lot of Italian cookbooks. Some are beautiful to look at, some are encyclopedic, and a few have become true companions—books I reach for when I want to cook something comforting, try a new regional dish, or just daydream about my next trip to Italy.
Today, I want to share my absolute favorites with you. These are the ones I recommend to friends, clients, and anyone who wants to bring a little more Italy into their home.
1. Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking
If I could only keep one Italian cookbook, this would be it. Marcella Hazan is the Italian nonna you never had—her recipes are clear, unfussy, and deeply authentic.
This is the book that taught me how to make risotto the right way, why you don’t need to drown everything in garlic, and how a few good ingredients (and a little patience) can create magic. If you’re new to Italian cooking, start here. If you’re not, you’ll still learn something every time you open it.
My absolute favorite recipe in this book is the Sausage and Cream Sauce (on page 201). This is hands down the most popular, most requested pasta dish I make for my family. I make it on repeat—over and over again—because it’s so easy and everyone loves it. It’s become our go-to comfort meal. The only tweaks I make are adding a bit more onion than the recipe calls for and using olive oil as my oil base. Those small changes make it feel even more like “ours,” but the recipe itself is pure Marcella magic.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants to understand the heart of Italian home cooking, from beginners to seasoned cooks.
2. The Silver Spoon
This is the Italian “Joy of Cooking”—a massive, all-encompassing tome that covers everything from antipasti to desserts. It’s the book you’ll find in Italian homes, and for good reason: it has over 2,000 recipes, many of them simple, everyday dishes you won’t see in restaurants.
I love using it when I want to try something new or when I have a random ingredient and need inspiration. It’s not a book you read cover to cover, but it’s a book you’ll use for a lifetime.
One of my favorite recipes is on page 613: the Spicy Potato Salad. It has some of my favorite ingredients and makes the perfect accompaniment to meat dishes, especially in the spring and summertime. It’s one of those recipes that’s simple but always gets compliments—and it’s become a regular at my table when the weather warms up.
Who it’s for: Curious cooks, collectors, and anyone who wants a true encyclopedia of Italian food.
3. Osteria: 1,000 Generous and Simple Recipes from Italy’s Best Local Restaurants
This book is a treasure. Published by Slow Food, it’s a collection of 1,000 recipes gathered from osterie—those humble, family-run restaurants tucked away in Italy’s towns and villages where locals go for honest, delicious food.
These aren’t fancy restaurant dishes; they’re the kind of recipes that have been passed down through generations, made with love and served with generosity. Every recipe mentions the name and location of the osteria it came from, which makes flipping through this book feel like taking a culinary road trip across Italy.
My favorite recipe is on page 245: Saffron Risotto with Ossobuco. This is classic Milanese comfort food at its finest—the creamy, golden risotto paired with tender, slow-braised veal shanks. It’s the kind of dish that takes time but rewards you with layers of flavor. When I make this, it feels like I’m bringing the warmth of a cozy Italian osteria into my own home. It’s perfect for a special Sunday dinner or when you want to impress someone without being fussy.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants authentic, regional Italian recipes straight from the source.
4. Old World Italian: Recipes and Secrets from Our Travels in Italy
This book is pure escapism. Mimi Thorisson’s writing and her husband’s photography transport you straight to the Italian countryside. It’s part travelogue, part cookbook, and all heart.
I love how she weaves stories of her family’s adventures with recipes that feel both classic and personal. If you want to cook and dream at the same time, this is your book.
My favorite recipe is the Ragu Bolognese with Tagliatelle (page 151). This is the kind of recipe that requires time—it cooks for hours—but the result is absolutely worth it. What I love about Mimi’s approach is that she learned this dish directly from Italian cooks, and it shows.
The recipe is straightforward and traditional, focusing on quality ingredients rather than complicated techniques. It’s the kind of dish that fills your house with the most incredible aroma and makes everyone gather around the table. When I make this, it feels like I’m bringing a piece of authentic Italian home cooking into my own kitchen.
Who it’s for: Dreamers, travelers, and anyone who wants to feel like they’re living in a sun-drenched Italian villa.
5. The Italian Pantry: 10 Ingredients, 100 Recipes
This is the book I recommend to friends who want to cook Italian but don’t want to buy a million specialty ingredients. Theo Randall focuses on ten pantry staples—like tomatoes, lemons, ricotta, polenta—and shows you how to turn them into a hundred different dishes. It’s practical, approachable, and full of recipes you’ll actually make on a weeknight.
My favorite recipe is on page 82: the Paccheri with Leeks, Parmesan, and Prosciutto di Parma. It’s comfort food at its finest—creamy, savory, and so satisfying. The combination of sweet leeks, salty prosciutto, and rich Parmesan makes this dish feel special without being complicated. It’s one I turn to again and again, especially when I want something cozy and delicious.
Who it’s for: Busy home cooks, pantry minimalists, and anyone who wants Italian food to feel easy and everyday.
6. Pasta Grannies: The Official Cookbook
If you love stories as much as you love food, you need this book. Inspired by the beloved YouTube channel, Pasta Grannies is a celebration of Italy’s nonnas and their time-honored pasta traditions. The recipes are sometimes quirky, always heartfelt, and often come with a little life advice tucked between the lines.
I dare you to read it and not want to book a ticket to Italy—or at least make pasta from scratch.
My favorite recipe in the book is on page 38: Franco and Alessandra’s Corzetti with Fresh Marjoram Dressing. Corzetti are these beautiful stamped pasta discs with intricate designs pressed into them—they’re a traditional Ligurian pasta that’s as stunning to look at as it is delicious to eat. The marjoram dressing is simple but so flavorful, and the whole dish feels like something you’d be served at a family table in the Italian countryside.
If you want to try making this recipe yourself (or gift it to someone special), this corzetti stamp is one of my favorite. Pair the book with the stamp, and you’ve got the perfect gift for any pasta lover in your life—or, let’s be honest, for yourself.
Who it’s for: Story lovers, pasta makers, and anyone who believes food is about more than just eating.
7. A Table in Venice: Recipes from My Home
Venice has a special place in my heart, and Skye McAlpine captures its magic perfectly. Her recipes are elegant but not fussy, and her writing makes you feel like you’re sitting at her kitchen table, watching the boats go by. If you want to explore Venetian food beyond cicchetti and spritz, this book is a gentle, beautiful guide.
My favorite recipe in the book is on page 271: Burnt Sugar, Amaretti, and Ricotta Cake. Everyone who tries this cake falls in love with it—it’s rich, not too sweet, and has this wonderful depth from the burnt sugar and almond flavor of the amaretti. I make it all the time in the fall and winter when I want something cozy and a little special. It’s become one of those recipes I’m known for, and it never fails to impress.
Who it’s for: Romantics, Venice lovers, and anyone who wants to cook with a little poetry.
How I Use These Books
Each of these cookbooks has a role in my kitchen. Marcella is my teacher, The Silver Spoon is my reference, La Cucina is my deep dive, and the others are my inspiration when I want to try something new or just need a little Italian sunshine on a cloudy day.
They’ve shaped not just how I cook, but how I travel, how I plan trips for clients, and how I think about what it means to experience Italy—slowly, intentionally, and with a sense of curiosity.
Why I Love Gifting (and Collecting) Cookbooks
Cookbooks are my favorite gift to give and receive. They’re practical, beautiful, and always come with a little bit of the giver’s heart. If you’re looking for a present for yourself or someone you love, any of these would be a joy to unwrap.
Do you have a favorite Italian cookbook? Is there one you reach for again and again, or one that changed the way you cook? I’d love to hear about it—leave a comment below!
Wishing you cozy evenings, delicious meals, and a kitchen full of Italian spirit—whenever you’re reading this.
Buon appetito!
xo, Amy
