The Pasta Queen: The Art of Italian Cooking

by Nadia Caterina Munno

Culinary virtuoso and New York Times bestselling author Nadia Caterina Munno expands beyond pasta and into the art of traditional Italian cooking with this vibrant and accessible cookbook—featuring seasonal dishes, healthy entrees, and so much more.

Go beyond the first course of pasta with this brand-new cookbook from The Pasta Queen herself. From aperitivi to awaken your appetite to desserts that end meals on a sweet note—and all the courses in between—Nadia will help you create an Italian dinner party fit for royalty.

With over a hundred delicious recipes and stunning photographs that will transport you to the heart of the Mediterranean, this cookbook also delves into Nadia’s food philosophies, including the importance of using seasonal ingredients, following a balanced diet, and celebrating cultural history through food. While there’s still plenty of pasta to be found, this cookbook will enrich your plate with the rest of what Italy has to offer…and it’s just gorgeous.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Italian Literature

288 pages, Hardcover

Published November 12, 2024

Reviews

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous cookbook with clear instructions and beautiful pictures.

I love it!

[Jessica simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this cook book. It was beautifully photographed, and it contained a lot of amazing sounding recipes from main dishes, drinks to of course my favorite dessert. One of my favorite recipes is Chicken Piccata. Although I haven’t tried it yet it seems easy to follow through. I’m not a great baker but I’m excited at the prospect of making desserts like tiramisu with wild berry jam or even lemon ricotta almond cake.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the other cookbook by Nadia, I had to pick up this one. There were similarities among the two cookbooks, yet the recipes were somewhat different. This cookbook was not for me though.

Nadia begins this cookbook just like her other one. She introduces herself and explains her cooking journey. It is an interesting journey from her family to where she is today. Next, she spends a great deal of time talking about tools, terms and items that you might need to create great Italian dishes. This section is very detailed, and it does provide some good information but there is a lot of reading and information. The recipe section begins next, and it is sectioned off into 7 categories. They are: Aperitivi, Antipasti, Primi, Secondi, Contorni, Dolci, and Street Food.
With each recipe you get: a list of ingredients (grams and cups), total prep and cooking time, how many it will serve. Some recipes have an icon to scan so you can watch the recipe if you scan the icon with your phone. Some recipes also tell you how much/how many the recipes make. Some of the recipes are titled in their Italian name which left me boggled sometimes but Katie puts on the page what it means in English.

This cookbook begins with some interesting alcohol beverages. Nothing hard or too fancy but they are simple and sound delicious. The appetizer section had a recipe I might try: Insalata Pantesca (Sicilian Potato Salad). The first course is next, and this is the section that I thought I would like the most, but it had a lot of seafood in it and I’m not a huge fish eater. Zuppa Di Pesce, Scialatielli Alle Vongole, Baked Seafood Linguine, and some risotto recipes were some of the offerings in this section. The second course comes next, which had more meat, chicken, and fish recipes. Cozze Alla Tarantina, Abbacchio Alla Scottadito, Piccata Di Pollo, and Frittura Di Pesce were some of the dishes offered here. Side dishes were next, and I couldn’t find anything in here for me. Cicoria in Padella, Carciofi Alla Romana, and Broccoletti in Padella were a couple of the dishes in this section. Desserts, yes. Ciambelline Al Vino looks tempting and easy to prepare. For those coffee drinkers, there is Caffe Alla Panna. Nothing in the street food section caught my eye. Tiella Alla Scarola or the Pizza E Fichi just wasn’t something that I would eat.

Nadia closes the book with some comments and a great index. The illustrations in the book were great. Not every recipe had a picture with it and some recipes had multiple pictures.

I don’t understand why there were so many photographs of Nadia throughout the book when there weren’t photographs of all the recipes included. I’m not against a couple individual shots but I think this cookbook had too many photographs of the author and not the food. It’s a cookbook, right? 3 stars

[Jessica Brainard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pasta Queen: The Art of Italian Cooking by Nadia Caterina Munno is a delightful celebration of Italian cuisine that brings the warmth and vibrancy of Italy’s culinary traditions to your kitchen. As a hardcover edition, the book itself is beautifully crafted, with stunning photography and a layout that feels both inviting and practical.Nadia, known as "The Pasta Queen" on social media, infuses her personality into every page, blending authenticity with approachability. The book is more than just a collection of recipes; it’s a love letter to Italian culture, emphasizing fresh ingredients, time-honored techniques, and the joy of sharing meals. Her storytelling—rooted in her Roman and Neapolitan heritage—adds depth, making each recipe feel like a family heirloom.The recipes cover a wide range, from classic pasta dishes like cacio e pepe and carbonara to lesser-known regional specialties. Instructions are clear, with tips for beginners and seasoned cooks alike, though some recipes assume a basic familiarity with cooking techniques. The pasta-making section is a highlight, offering step-by-step guidance for crafting fresh pasta at home, complete with vibrant photos that make the process feel achievable.Standout dishes include her silky tagliatelle with ragù and a surprisingly simple yet decadent tiramisu. The book also includes sauces, antipasti, and desserts, ensuring there’s something for every occasion. However, a few recipes call for specialty ingredients that may be hard to source in smaller markets, which could frustrate some home cooks.The book’s design is a feast for the eyes, with glossy images and charming anecdotes that transport you to an Italian Nonna’s kitchen. It’s perfect for both Italophiles and casual cooks looking to elevate their pasta game. My only critique is that the index could be more detailed for quicker recipe lookups.Overall, The Pasta Queen is a must-have for anyone who loves Italian food or wants to master pasta with flair. It’s as much a cultural journey as a cookbook, earning it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes, but I don't know who the Pasta Queen is. So I'm strictly looking at this book from a cooking standpoint. The book contains a wide variety of Italian recipes, and it seems like the ingredients are standard and easy-to-find.

However, there aren't a whole lot of pictures of the food from the recipes, but instead, it's primarily pictures of the author showing a lot of cleavage. I think if you're a fan of this person and enjoy cooking a little, you'll probably find this book useful. But if you're just looking to expand your cookbook collection with books focusing on the food, I think you should skip this one.

I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[OneDayI'll]

Not quite what I was looking for. I'm guessing this is some celebrity chef I don't know and that's her nickname as this book is not primarily past recipes lol. Ah well. Not rating because it's my bad for seeing the title and grabbing instead of giving it a look through before borrowing from the library.

[Maria Kammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mediterranean food in its best, fresh state abounds in this title. This cookbook was a feast for both eyes and appetite via the Pasta Queens' recipes. The tips, photos and step-by-step directions make recipes that might seem a bit intimidating, ready for the home cook to create with ease.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely one of the most gorgeous cookbooks I have ever seen. Not only is it gorgeous, it has a great mix of both traditional and more daring and creative Italian recipes. Plus the photos are so beautiful and chic. Highly recommend.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well laid out book. I enjoyed seeing the history, utensils, cookware, different herbs and food that you need on hand to help you prepare for the meals. Easy to find recipes and the method for cooking. Colourful photos of what the meal should look like. Many cooking tips.

[Donna Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was overall a nice cookbook featuring Italian recipes. I did really enjoy the inclusion of Chicken Picatta and Chicken Marsala along with a few other recipes as well that I look forward to trying.

[Jade Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cookbook with authentic recipes!

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over 100 delicious recipes that are easy to follow. Can't wait to try them. Loved the pictures. Only thing I didn't like was the small print. Guess I need reading glasses.

[Denise Prewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the book. Great pictures and recipes. Definitely will make.

[Laroy Viviane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toujours aussi joliment bien illustré avec des recettes plutôt classiques mais qui permettent de faire un repas complet en toute saison.

[Heather Balog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading the history of the recipes and since I borrowed this book from the library, I plan to buy my own copy to make them.

[Kristen Barenthaler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious. Decadent. Mouthwatering. Basically, any positive food-related word is a descriptor of this book. The images are amazing. The recipes leave you salivating. And it can't possibly get any better.

Thanks Edelweiss for the early review copy.