Mother Sauce: Italian American Family Recipes and the Story of the Women Who Created Them

by Lucinda Scala Quinn

From home cook and author Lucinda Scala Quinn, a cookbook containing 100 iconic and beloved Italian-American recipes from the last century. 

In America today, everyone loves nonna's cooking—think spaghetti, lasagna, and pizza. Italian families arrived in the U.S at the beginning of the twentieth century, and mammas brought with them the skills and ingredient know-how to fashion a whole new cuisine in spite of living in poverty and ostracization from their new country. Their fathers, husbands, and sons then monetized these dishes outside the home in the form of Red sauce joints. Rarely are these women actually credited as the true founders of the Italian-American cuisine. 

In her latest book, Lucinda Scala Quinn cooks classic Italian-American recipes, and along the way shares their origin and gives credit to the incredible women who developed our cherished Italian dishes. Home cooks and food lovers alike will delight in this masterful collection of America’s favorite comfort foods, from Baked Ziti and Sausage and Pepper Hoagies to Chicken Marsala and Cannolis. With gorgeous recipe shots, archival photos, ingredient sidebars, and cultural essays, Mother Sauce brings nonna’s cooking to kitchens everywhere.    

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

Published March 11, 2025

Reviews

[Miss✧Pickypants ᓚᘏᗢ · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the Italian-American dishes served at old-school red-sauce Italian restaurants make an appearance in this compendium of the author's family recipes. The one recipe that was super memorable was the Lemon Spaghetti, which was her Canadian non-Italian Mother's contribution. Otherwise, the rest of the dishes are familiar traditional Italian-American fare.

Recipes are well written and many, but not all, are pictured. In addition to the familial recipes, we learn a bit about the author's family, how they ended up in the US and especially how the women adapted to living in their new country. This is better suited for less experienced cooks and anyone who gets nostalgic for their nonna's gravy/meatballs/lasagna etc.

[Amy L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read (and cooked from) several of Lucinda Scala Quinn’s cookbooks over the years; she never disappoints. “Mother Sauce” shares her family history and traditions as well as treasured recipes. I especially liked the “aspetta” feature, little side notes to indicate where you can pause in a recipe, or make substitutions or variations. Highly recommend.

[Xine Segalas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucinda Scala Quinn's Mother Sauce:
Italian American Family Recipes and the Story of the Women Who Created Them beautifully captures the essence and soul of Italian cooking, blending traditional recipes with rich cultural history. Quinn masterfully brings to life the experiences of immigrant Italian women, emphasizing the kitchen as their creative haven. Her engaging narrative, coupled with practical advice—from pantry stocking to butchering a chicken—makes this book invaluable, especially for those newer to cooking.

Quinn enhances each recipe with inviting introductions, personal family variations, and insightful "Aspetta" tidbits, offering valuable context and helpful storage tips. The photography complements the text perfectly, showcasing authentic home-cooked dishes. Fun historical surprises, like the Italian immigrant origins of the Philly Cheesesteak, enrich the reader’s experience.

A delightful blend of history, practical advice, and flavorful recipes, Mother Sauce is an excellent resource for anyone passionate about Italian cuisine. Highly recommended for cooks of all levels. 5 stars.

Thank you to Artisan Books | Artisan and NetGalley for the privilege to read and review this book, which was just released on March 11, 2025.

[Brynna Hooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

The preface and the photos to go with it gave us a short glimpse into the life of the author's great grandmother. Throughout the book these stories unfold and we learn more about the women that ultimately created Italian American cuisine. The author said, "rarely are these women actually credited as the real founders of the cooking that became known as Italian American. this is their story." That line stuck with me as I read through the cookbook and admired the stories and recipes from these women. There is so much history and love poured into this book, I am truly grateful to have read it. Its a heartfelt reminder of the women who shaped our lives and the food they created.

Now don't let the name mislead you there is more than just sauce recipes found in this cookbook! I cannot wait to try out these recipes and with it honor the women they came from. I love when there is a further reading included in a cookbook that not only shares recipes but cultural background and stories. The shopping resources was one I have not seen before and I was pleasantly surprised that one such market was near my home!

Thank you to Artisan Books and NetGalley for the ARC! ♥

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Lucinda Scala Quinn cooks classic Italian-American recipes, and along the way shares their origin and gives credit to the incredible women who developed our cherished Italian dishes."

This is a wonderful book that showcases the Italian-American dishes that have become popular all around the world, and the women who developed these dishes as frugal immigrant housewives. There's lots of great advice, from time management, to designating helpers, to keeping the kitchen orderly as you cook, in case you didn't have an Italian nonna to teach you!

There are soups, sauces, main dishes, baked dinners, fish, salads, street food, and desserts that showcase the Italian-American experience. And the cookies! Yum. A delicious addition to anyone who loves a good sauce.

I received a free ebook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic authentic Italian cookbook with gorgeous photos for nearly every recipe. The author tells family stories and Italian cooking history throughout. The recipes are traditional with whole food ingredients like heavy cream, fresh herbs and homemade (easy) ricotta, but they are modern in calling for things like canned tomatoes and lots of meat (which the author points out was a rare treat originally for Italian peasants). There is no nutritional information and I usually dock a star for that, but it’s such a great cookbook otherwise that I let it go. While this is opulent food, it doesn’t tend to call for a lot of ingredients and dishes generally come together fairly quickly. There are definitely special occasion recipes as well.

I read a temporary digital loan of this cookbook for review.

[callistoscalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy of this beautiful book so I can share my thoughts!

📖 Book Review 📖 Warning: Do not open this book hungry! I did and my stomach was growling over all of these beautiful photos of food and their accompanying recipes! I have absolutely no Italian in me but I love Italy and have so much appreciation for the recipes handed down by these Italian women. Lucinda Scala Quinn pens a heartwarming introduction that welcomes the reader into the family and sets a warm scene for this cookbook…that truly feels like so much more. I am really grateful for this one ahead of Easter because I might just be using some of these recipes!

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading and collecting cookbooks and trying out new recipes. I loved reading the story of the author's great grandmother and what her life was like when she moved to America. Many of the recipes in this book are ones that everyone is familiar with, but there are some surprises. I love minestrone soup but had never tried one like her Green Minestrone with pesto sauce added at the end. It was delicious. I also enjoyed Utica Greens which is baked in a cast iron skillet and is excellent as a side dish.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunday Sauce or Sunday Gravy?
Whatever you call it, you'll need to grab this amazing cookbook, Italian American Family Recipes & the Story of the Women Who Created Them.
100 Iconic classic Italian recipes with a variety of pasta dishes, soups and desserts. If you're a home cook like me or a food lover, this cookbook is the perfect addition to any kitchen. Highly recommended adding it to your cookbook collection!
Thank you Workman Pub for the gifted copy.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing up Italian-American, I can affirm the presence that women were...I love the idea of this cookbook. Unfortunately as a vegetarian, much of this book is not veg, but really nicely laid out, nice recipes, nice stories, and the veg recipes sound good.

[giovanni pellegrino · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, what a book

Well thought out, perfect cook book. I will say top ten best cook books. Oh yeah I own a restaurant and I approve of this book.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great collection of Italian American recipes.