The Encyclopedia of Pasta: Over 350 Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food

by Thomas Nelson

Genres: Cookbooks

560 pages, Hardcover

Published November 19, 2024

Reviews

[Books_the_Magical_Fruit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive reference on almost every pasta dish you can think of, most from Italian cuisine, but there are also recipes from China, Japan and other countries. This has many tasty dishes, but there are very few pictures, and the format is extremely bare bones. Many of the pages have text and only text, and it was a bit off putting. Most people like to see what the finished product looks like, so I’m a little puzzled why there aren’t more photos. I’d honestly rather have a shorter cookbook with more pictures.

All in all, it gets a 3.5 from me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Cider Mill Press for the eARC. All opinions are mine.

[LaShanda Chamberlain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a treasure for pasta lovers! It covers everything from basic to unique pasta varieties, making it exciting to explore new recipes whenever the mood strikes. The first section teaches how to make pastas like gnocchi and udon, then transitions into hundreds of delicious recipes from different cultures. The recipes are simple, easy to follow, and accessible for any skill level, with vibrant photos that make me want to cook right away. My only gripe is the lack of photos of finished dishes, but that’s a minor issue compared to the wealth of content. Perfect for anyone who loves making pasta from scratch and wants to try new varieties, this book is full of fun, easy projects that don’t require fancy tools, making it ideal for beginners or anyone looking for a fresh pasta adventure. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to add some pasta magic to their kitchen!

A huge shoutout to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the chance to read this ARC!

[Opal Edgar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a very impressive collection of from-scratch noodle recipes from all over the world - by this I mean both base ingredient and dishes.
We start with literally 100 pages of how to make anything from tagliatelle, to gnocchi, gnudi, udon, spaetzle, Chinese egg noodles and anything you can think of.
Then we get hundreds of recipes using those various noodles in dishes from Italie to North Africa, Vietnam and so many more places. Most are simple and perfect for the home cook.
It is really an impressive collection, but sadly there is barely any photos of finished dishes, and since this is what I usually base myself on for cooking, I know this isn't a book for me. Which explains the lower rating despite the quality of the content.
It will appeal to people who enjoy making pasta from scratch and want to expand their knowledge and try less well-known types. There is quite a few fun projects that don't require special material too, which is always nice when starting out, or as a holiday project far from home when you finally have a little time to yourself.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: The Encyclopedia of Pasta by The Coastal Kitchen

Rating: 4 Stars

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing The Encyclopedia of Pasta by The Coastal Kitchen, and it's quite the culinary adventure! The instant I spotted the cover, I was drawn in by its stunning design. This book is like a passport to pasta heaven, showcasing around 350 recipes that span from classic Italian favorites to delicious dishes from other parts of the world.

A Treasure Trove of Recipes

What really stands out to me is how comprehensive this cookbook is. Whether you’re a newbie trying your hand at Spaghetti Bolognese or a seasoned chef looking to tackle more intricate options, there’s something for everyone. You’ll find everything from creamy Carbonara to a simple yet satisfying Aglio e Olio. The structure is user-friendly, with clear and concise instructions that guide you through each recipe, making the cooking process feel almost effortless.

I particularly appreciated the informative section at the beginning that dives into pasta ingredients and the art of making fresh pasta. It’s like a mini pasta school right in your kitchen! Plus, the book thoughtfully covers not just pasta dishes but also soups and sauces, giving you the tools to create an entire meal.

Eye-Candy Photography

Now, let’s talk about the visuals. The full-color photography is stunning and truly inspires you to get cooking. However, I do wish there were a few more photos of the finished dishes throughout the book. Sometimes it’s nice to see what your culinary creation could look like!

I also loved that this book includes a mix of old favorites and exciting new recipes. It feels like a delightful blend of nostalgia and discovery, which keeps things fresh and interesting in the kitchen. And don’t even get me started on the appendix! Having stock recipes and other handy tips included is such a bonus.

Final Thoughts

Overall, The Encyclopedia of Pasta is an impressive collection that captures the heart and soul of pasta cooking. I’ve already marked several recipes I can’t wait to try, and I’m excited to dive into the world of handmade pasta. If you love putting delicious food on the table—especially pasta—this book deserves a spot on your shelf. I’d give it four stars for its extensive coverage, beautiful presentation, and practicality in the kitchen. So grab a fork and get ready to twirl your way into some pasta magic! 🍝

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

[Susan Hamann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really impressive! It's massive and the beginning section of the book is dedicated to making pasta. And there's pasta here that I've never heard of. However most of the pasta recipes can be made with no special tools. Some do require tools that aren't found in an average American kitchen, but if you're buying this book, you may actually have some of these already. A basic pasta is flour and water, or eggs, but included here are pastas that use different types of flours and other ingredients. And sort of surprising to me, there are other country's pastas, not just Italy. For instance, I'm familiar with Spaetzle, being of German descent. But there are three different types! And Chinese Egg Noodles and Udon Noodles. There are so many pastas, and I'm not even sure where they originated, but wouldn't it be fun to try them all?

And then come the recipes for "Dishes", Soups, Sauces" All I can say is WOW! So many wonderful meals are jammed into this book. Most of the recipes for the dishes are very simple and very easy to make. They span many cultures and locations in the world. The photos are enticing.

I received an early version of this as an e-book to review. I would really enjoy having a hard copy of this book to fill with bookmarks, after many evenings of paging through it. The choices seem endless!

[Kira K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is the perfect cookbook for me as I absolutely love pasta. I appreciated having a mini 101 on pasta ingredients at the beginning and was pleasantly surprised to see it covered making different types of pasta, soups and sauces as well as traditional pasta dishes. There was a mix of old favourites and new recipes for me to enjoy and they were easy to follow along with. I thought the photos were artistic and liked having things like stock recipes included in the appendix. I personally appreciated that the active and total times were split at the top of each recipe as it helps me determine if I am medically strong enough to be on my feet for that long before rather than starting a recipe and struggling. However, there are no calories and/or macros provided which can be helpful if you're struggling with body image or eating but makes it more difficult if you're actively food tracking or on a specific diet.

[Josie Russo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I'll ever find myself asking "What should I do with this pasta?" after tackling this cookbook, which truly lives up to its title as The Encyclopedia of Pasta. I'll admit, as much as I love food and the history of food, I often found myself wondering if we really needed all these different types of pasta. I know, my Sicilian Nonna is rolling over in her grave, I'm a very bad great granddaughter. But hey, I remedied it through the help of this hefty and helpful book.

One of my biggest struggles when cooking with pasta is how to appropriately pair the various shapes and dough formats with the different types of proteins and sauces. This book will be helpful to fall back on when I'm unsure, and to create a foundation for any new recipes I try.

I am glad that this book doesn't position itself as exclusively Italian, as many people mistakenly believe Italy and not China was the inventor of pasta. This has pasta and noodles from all over the world, so that was a surprising and welcome change in a lot of the writing I see in most cookbooks about pasta.

[Simi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let’s get one thing straight: I simply adore pasta and pasta recipes. For a pasta nerd like me, who gets fussy about the quality of the dough, this was right up my alley. Fresh is best and although I may never actually get around to make each and every type, there were so many to discover. It was great learning the process of making the pasta, and then the complete dishes, sauces and soups that pair best. I would have appreciated more pictures as there were many shapes and dishes to keep track of; this definitely felt more like an encyclopaedia rather than a regular cookbook because of that. There’s a recipe for everyone, but it is an overwhelming amount of information to take in at first.

Thank you to Cider Mill Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Karalee Shotola · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Encylopedia of Pasta includes over 350 pasta recipes. The cookbook begins with an introduction to making your own pasta followed by recipes for pasta dough. Each recipe includes an ingredient list, numbered directions, and active and total times. However, there are only a handful of pictures, so good luck making the correct pasta shape just based on the directions. After the dough recipes are recipes for dishes, soups, and sauces. Again, only a handful of these recipes include a photo, and it would be beneficial if the cookbook included more photos. If you like pasta and are confident in the kitchen, this could be a good cookbook, but just know that beyond the ingredients and directions, there is not much to this.

Thank you NetGalley for sending this book for review.

[Macy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title says it all. This is a prolific book about pasta in all its incarnations. From making pasta from scratch to a litany of recipes that include entree dishes, sauces and soups. I did make one pasta (orrichetti) and it was a fun process and delicious, but imagine I will only do make it for special occasions. A lot of good fresh pasta available. I have made a few various recipes and all have been easy to follow and delicious. There is a broad spectrum of main courses, soups and sauces. This would be a nice book for all level of cooks. I enjoyed it and have quite a few more earmarked to try out.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

The encyclopedia of pasta focuses on everything to make the perfect pasta. From making the noodles to the perfect sauce. There are classic Italian sauces to less well known recipes from other cultures.

The Sections are
doughs and formats
dishes
soups
over the top: sauces and perfect partners

Each recipe has yields, active time, total time, ingredients, and directions. I personally wish there were more pictures to see the finished creations. It especially would have been helpful for the dough sections and seeing a visualization of hope to shape the pasta. The cookbook is very comprehensive and will likely have something for everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sekar Writes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The opening pages give some interesting insights that makes me set high hopes for learning about pasta, especially with a title calling it an "encyclopedia" of recipes. Unfortunately, as I read on, it didn’t fully meet those expectations. Calling it an "encyclopedia" might mislead readers since it doesn't go as deep as expected. A different title might be better for readers just looking for pasta recipes. But then, for those wanting detailed recipe guidance, there aren’t many final photos showing what the dishes should look like. The book may not fully satisfy readers with different goals in mind.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the pasta...

This is an exceptional cookbook. It truly is the encyclopedia of pasta.
I knew quite a few of the pastas but there were still a number I was unfamiliar with.
All the noodles, a number Asian noodles and dishes, all the pasta and tons of recipes and even soups.
If you had to have one book to start your cookbook library, this would be an excellent choice.
Ten stars.
Highly recommend.

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very impressive cookbook. Not only are there delicious recipes for dinners, soups and sauces but there is an entire section that teaches you how to make your own pasta and noodles. I wish there were more pictures with the recipes but other than that this is a very comprehensive cookbook. I thank Netgalley and The Coastal Kitchen for the opportunity to read and review this cookbook.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Encyclopedia of Pasta is a massive collection of pasta-based dishes. From classic Italian dishes to noodles predominant in Asian recipes, this includes a varying range of recipes.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough encyclopedia! Lots of pasta varieties I had never heard of. I wish there were more pictures!

Thank you Netgalley and Cider Mill Press for the ARC!

[Anastey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Cider Mill Press for an ARC of this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is an impressively dense info packed cookbook. As a pasta beginner it was incredibly overwhelming to flip through.

The instructions are simple to follow, but there were very few photos. I felt like it should have included at least a small photo for each basic pasta shape. I have no idea how a lot of them should look like.

I would have preferred the recipes to be arranged in sections based on pasta shape too. It seemed very random to me.

For some of the recipes, I felt there were not enough directions, and it assumes you have an intermediate to advanced level of cooking knowledge, and a few specialty tools. This is not a book for beginners.

However, if you are a fairly experienced cook, I think this would be an enjoyable book to flip through