The Essential Italian Cookbooks

When you ask people what their favorite food is, there’s a good chance they’ll reply quickly: Italian. Pasta, pizza, and good red wine are always crowd-pleasing, even when we eat them over and over again.

That’s because these basics are adaptable in so many ways that are hard to tire of. And the world of Italian cuisine is so much larger than just those things. It ranges from unfussy to elegant, done-in-no-time to dinner-party-project. 

So, it’s always wise to keep some Italian dinner inspiration within reach. And, to be honest, it’s hard to choose our favorite Italian cookbooks. But here are the ones we’ve been reaching for lately. 

Is there an Italian cookbook you can’t put down? We’d love to know! Discuss in the comments.

From time-tested classics to new favorites, here are the four Italian cookbooks you should add to your shelf:

"The Silver Spoon" by Phaidon

A beloved cookbook on every home cook’s shelf, this heavyweight covers the gamut from starter to dessert with reliable and mouthwatering recipes. There’s a reason The Silver Spoon so iconic.  

"Back Pocket Pasta" by Colu Henry

Back Pocket Pasta's subtitle says it all: “Inspired dinners to cook on the fly.” This new kid on the block is turning into one of our go-to cookbooks for any occasion. Simple ingredients, easy to follow instructions, and beautiful pictures are sure to get you into the kitchen. 

"The Pasta Bible" by Christian Teubner, Silvio Rizzi, and Tan Lee Leng

An oldie but goodie, this cookbook focuses on one of our favorite types of Italian cuisine: Pasta! Every shape, size, and method for making your own is covered in this encyclopedic gem. 

"The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking" by Marcella Hazan

A must-have for any Italian aficionado. Hazan’s masterpiece focuses on the beauty of good ingredients and their infinite adaptability. You won’t find yourself lost for inspiration when it comes to paging through this inexhaustible resource.