We love all books about Italian cuisine and culture. We’ve loved reading insightful regional guides like Gastronomy of Italy by Anna Del Conte, uncovering information about each Italian region. Closer to home, and after run-ins in their kitchens, we’ve stocked The Italian Pantry from well-loved chef Theo Randall, as well as gathered great pizza tips from Napoli on the Road’s Michele Pascarella. Yet while Italan food and pizza will always have a place in our hearts, there’s one type of book which trumps all others. And that’s one about pasta.
We might be biased; we don’t think there’s much better than a book which involves the stuff. From reads about the history of classic comfort-foods, or exhaustive collections on variations, shapes, and sauce parings; we never get tired of extra-curricular reading on our favourite food subject.
Perhaps you’ve already got The Pasta Grannies books but know someone who is a food history buff? Maybe you’d like to expand your knowledge of best variations to go with your latest ragu? Or you fancy finding out just where exactly those famous pasta dishes come from? Whatever pages in pasta you or your loved ones fancy flicking through, we think this list has something for everyone.
- The Encyclopedia of Pasta by Oretta Zanini De Vita
Ever wanted to debunk some of the most famous pasta myths? Well now you can. Food scholar Oretta Zanini De Vita traveled to every corner of her native Italy, recording oral histories, delving into long-forgotten family cookbooks, and searching obscure archives to produce this rich and uniquely personal compendium of historical and geographical information. Filled with illustrated drawings from Luciana Marini The Encyclopedia of Pasta it’s a feast for your eyes, your brain, and your stomach. ` - The Talisman of Happiness by Ada Boni
Ada Boni crafted one of the culinary bibles for Italians. Whether you are a seasoned cook or are just beginning your culinary journey, The Talisman offers good luck alongside timeless recipes that embrace the true Italian spirit: cooking to feed the body as well as nourish the soul. - The Epic History of Macaroni and Cheese: From Ancient Rome to Modern America by Karima Moyer-Nocchi
This book is a delectable history of macaroni and cheese, tracing an extraordinary journey of cultural exchange and social change. Karima Moyer-Nocchi reveals the religious, political, and industrial forces that shaped its evolution alongside stories of the unsung figures who crafted the dish as we know it today. Humble though the dish may seem, its history is filled with surprising twists and turns. - Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci
Stanley Tucci endorsed one of the Pasta Grannies books when it was released, and we love his stories through food. With anecdotes from the rich, famous, and foodie, as well as some of his own family’s recipes, it’s truly delicious read. - Mother Sauce: American-Made Italian Cooking by Linda Scala Quinn
Nonna’s cooking is everyone’s favourite. And it’s not just limited to Italy; in America there are a number of dishes served through the back stories of immigrations and family. Lucinda Scala Quinn cooks 100 iconic Italian-American recipes. Along the way, she shares the origins of the recipes and gives credit to the incredible women who developed our cherished Italian dishes. - Pasta by Theo Randall
Theo Randall shares a mouth-watering collection of 110 recipes, all within the reach of the keen cook. He uses a mix of fresh and dried pasta, and favours fresh ingredients according to the season. From taglierini to cappaletti, or pansotti to gnocchi. There’s a shape and flavour combination for everyone in here. - Pasta Every Day by Meryl Feinstein
Pasta can be simple, like pici in butter, or it can be incredibly special: such as agnolotti stuffed with braised shallots and Grana Padano. It might be the perfect comfort food. Endlessly reinventable, it is a canvas for delicious dreams. And it’s well within your reach to make at home, anytime. In Pasta Every Day, Meryl Feinstein created easy-to-follow ways to make pasta doughs, shapes, fillings, and sauces. - An A-Z of Pasta by Rachel Roddy
Consider this your ‘how to’ guide when it comes to pairing shapes and sauce. The A-Z of Pasta tells you how to create those perfect pairings, and then how to serve them. The recipes range from the familiar – pesto, ragù and carbonara – to the unusual and unfamiliar (but thrilling) in this practical, easy-to-use and mouth-watering collection of 100 recipes. - A Brief History of Pasta: The Italian Food that Shaped the World by Luca Cesari
Want the history but without the page count? In just 368 pages, learn about how the humble origins of fettuccine Alfredo that lie in a back-street trattoria in Rome, or how Genovese sauce became a Neapolitan staple. As well as what conveyor belts have to do with serving spaghetti. Another one that’s great for the pasta myth-busters, in this read Luca Cesari delves into the fascinating variety of Italy’s best-loved food.
- Six Seasons of Pasta by Joshua McFadden
In Six Seasons of Pasta, carbs become the perfect showcase for the season’s bounty of produce. Organised by season, these 125 demonstrate Italian classics that everyone should have in their repertoire, from Cacio e Pepe to Pasta Fagiole. The book teaches us how to intuitively cook a perfect dish using McFadden’s no-fail “build-the-sauce-in-the-pan” method. The result? Always delicious. - American Sfoglino by Evan Funke
This book not only features recipes for home cooks to recreate 15 classic hand-made pasta shapes, spanning simple pappardelle to perfect tortelloni but it’s also one of the most beautiful; winning a James Beard Award for photography. Forget your pasta machine and indulge in the magic of being a sfoglino.
- Pasta Grannies, Pasta Grannies: Comfort Cooking; and soon…Pasta Grannies: Eat Everything!
Okay, okay, that was sneaky of us to put our own titles in here, we know. And we appreciate that if you’re reading this it’s highly likely you’ve already got your hands on our books. But, what about pre-ordering the next one well in advance for someone? Coming in 2026, you can expect a lot of pasta, but a few things beyond that too.
Please note that all these items are real recommendations chosen at our own discretion, and not a result of paid placement. Sometimes, however, we may include affiliate links)
