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Lidia's The Art of Pasta: An Italian Cookbook
The ultimate pasta cookbook; 100+ authentic Italian recipes, from the bestselling author, television icon, and "doyenne of Italian cooking” (The New York Times).
No one knows pasta like Lidia Bastianich. Through her bestselling cookbooks and award-winning television programs, she has introduced generations of home cooks to the wonders of Italy’s greatest export. Now, for the first time, she has compiled her decades of expertise into one essential a veritable pasta bible.
An utterly indispensable resource for every kitchen, Lidia’s The Art of Pasta is an encyclopedic guide to pasta in all its from fresh to dried, from Old World classics like gnocchi and cacio e pepe to Italian American favorites like manicotti and lasagna Napoletana.
Across more than a hundred recipes, Lidia showcases pastas of all kinds—stuffed, baked, and sauced; in soups and pasta salads; plus, of course, directions for making fresh pasta doughs at home. The definitive guide to cooking pasta, the book is filled with simple, authentic, flavor-forward recipes for everything from Amatriciana to Ziti.
No one knows pasta like Lidia Bastianich. Through her bestselling cookbooks and award-winning television programs, she has introduced generations of home cooks to the wonders of Italy’s greatest export. Now, for the first time, she has compiled her decades of expertise into one essential a veritable pasta bible.
An utterly indispensable resource for every kitchen, Lidia’s The Art of Pasta is an encyclopedic guide to pasta in all its from fresh to dried, from Old World classics like gnocchi and cacio e pepe to Italian American favorites like manicotti and lasagna Napoletana.
Across more than a hundred recipes, Lidia showcases pastas of all kinds—stuffed, baked, and sauced; in soups and pasta salads; plus, of course, directions for making fresh pasta doughs at home. The definitive guide to cooking pasta, the book is filled with simple, authentic, flavor-forward recipes for everything from Amatriciana to Ziti.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 14, 2025
17 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Lidia Matticchio Bastianich
31 books174 followersLidia Matticchio Bastianich is an American chef, businesswoman and restaurateur.
Specializing in Italian and Croatian cuisine, she has been a regular contributor to the PBS cooking show lineup since 1998. In 2007, she launched her third TV series, Lidia's Italy. She also owns four Italian restaurants in the U.S. in partnership with her son, the winemaster and restaurateur, Joseph Bastianich: Felidia (founded with her ex-husband, Felice) and Becco in Manhattan; Lidia's Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Lidia's Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri.
Specializing in Italian and Croatian cuisine, she has been a regular contributor to the PBS cooking show lineup since 1998. In 2007, she launched her third TV series, Lidia's Italy. She also owns four Italian restaurants in the U.S. in partnership with her son, the winemaster and restaurateur, Joseph Bastianich: Felidia (founded with her ex-husband, Felice) and Becco in Manhattan; Lidia's Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Lidia's Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 24, 2025
I grew up watching Lidia on PBS, mesmerized by her love of cooking and the joy she derived from feeding others. She's a huge reason why I love cooking to this day, she's also the reason I studied Italian language, art, and culture in school. I still remember how proud I was when I first learned to make spaghetti agilo e olio, thanks to her tv show.
This lovely cookbook is very much in the spirit of her beloved tv show, if it doesn't make you want to cook all of the pasta dishes you can, I'm not sure I understand you. Lidia is who taught me to make my favorite Italian dish (gnocchi) and who netted me perfect grades from my professor whenever I showed up to class with a presentation of how to cook pasta dishes always ending with a flourish and Lidia's signature, "tutti a tavola a mangiare!"
It's a joy reading about the regional dishes, Lidia's own clever personal touches (cooking eggplant in an air fryer?! I'd never thought of it!), and seeing the beautiful photos. Thank you, Lidia Bastianich, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, and NetGalley for the advanced copy, it's a wonderful cookbook!
This lovely cookbook is very much in the spirit of her beloved tv show, if it doesn't make you want to cook all of the pasta dishes you can, I'm not sure I understand you. Lidia is who taught me to make my favorite Italian dish (gnocchi) and who netted me perfect grades from my professor whenever I showed up to class with a presentation of how to cook pasta dishes always ending with a flourish and Lidia's signature, "tutti a tavola a mangiare!"
It's a joy reading about the regional dishes, Lidia's own clever personal touches (cooking eggplant in an air fryer?! I'd never thought of it!), and seeing the beautiful photos. Thank you, Lidia Bastianich, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, and NetGalley for the advanced copy, it's a wonderful cookbook!
July 25, 2025
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
This is the perfect cookbook for my family, as we all love pasta. There are tons of amazing recipes included, including how to make your own pasta (something I definitely will not be doing). Loved the photographs, too!
Definitely would recommend this cookbook to any pasta lover!
This is the perfect cookbook for my family, as we all love pasta. There are tons of amazing recipes included, including how to make your own pasta (something I definitely will not be doing). Loved the photographs, too!
Definitely would recommend this cookbook to any pasta lover!
September 21, 2025
Lidia’s The Art of Pasta is a beautifully designed cookbook that features both classic Italian dishes and Italian-American favorites. It starts with a short introduction, some helpful pasta basics, and equipment tips, then jumps right into the recipes. The chapters are organized by sauce type – tomato, vegetable, fish, cheese, meat – as well as baked pastas and those cooked in their own sauce. After that, it covers soups, stuffed pastas, pasta salads, gnocchi, and even how to make fresh pasta from scratch.
So far, I have tried four recipes: Spaghetti with Raw Tomato Sauce, Spaghetti in a Spicy Tomato Sauce, Linguine with Roasted Tomatoes, and Rigatoni Woodsman Style. While they took a bit of time to prepare, the instructions were easy to follow and the results were delicious. I am especially excited to try making gnocchi from scratch next.
The photos that are included are stunning, I just wish there were more of them. Personally, I like to see a picture of a dish before I make it, especially if it is something unfamiliar. Unfortunately, many of the recipes do not have accompanying photos, which was a bit of a drawback for me.
I also had some trouble sourcing ingredients for several of the dishes. That’s why I stuck to the simpler recipes at first. There is a helpful glossary of pasta shapes at the end, and some recipes do suggest substitutions, but I found myself hesitating to try the more complex dishes knowing I’d likely need to track down or swap out ingredients.
Overall, this is a lovely and comprehensive cookbook that will appeal to fans of Lidia’s cooking and anyone interested in diving deeper into the world of pasta. Just be prepared to do a little ingredient hunting or make substitutions if your local grocery store doesn’t carry more specialty items.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.
So far, I have tried four recipes: Spaghetti with Raw Tomato Sauce, Spaghetti in a Spicy Tomato Sauce, Linguine with Roasted Tomatoes, and Rigatoni Woodsman Style. While they took a bit of time to prepare, the instructions were easy to follow and the results were delicious. I am especially excited to try making gnocchi from scratch next.
The photos that are included are stunning, I just wish there were more of them. Personally, I like to see a picture of a dish before I make it, especially if it is something unfamiliar. Unfortunately, many of the recipes do not have accompanying photos, which was a bit of a drawback for me.
I also had some trouble sourcing ingredients for several of the dishes. That’s why I stuck to the simpler recipes at first. There is a helpful glossary of pasta shapes at the end, and some recipes do suggest substitutions, but I found myself hesitating to try the more complex dishes knowing I’d likely need to track down or swap out ingredients.
Overall, this is a lovely and comprehensive cookbook that will appeal to fans of Lidia’s cooking and anyone interested in diving deeper into the world of pasta. Just be prepared to do a little ingredient hunting or make substitutions if your local grocery store doesn’t carry more specialty items.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.
October 9, 2025
Lidia’s The Art of Pasta; An Italian Cookbook by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich-Manuali
I have watched Lidia Bastianich’s cooking shows for years and own several of her cookbooks – many recipes in each are my “go to’s”, so I was thrilled to have received an advanced copy of her new cookbook.
The cookbook begins with helpful sections on kitchen essentials for making pasta and her “pasta wisdom”. This is followed by the recipes – different types (shapes) of pasta and a variety of recipes w/different tomato sauces, vegetables, cheeses, meat sauces – all types of sauces. There are even baked and no-boil pasta dishes, stuffed pastas (which I haven’t attempted yet), pasta salads and soups with pasta and even gnocci. The pasta dishes are followed by a section with recipes for fresh pasta. I am looking forward to trying a few of these - like spinach and chickpea - when I have more time. There is even a gluten free pasta recipe.
As I’m reviewing this at the perfect time of the year – tomato season – I have been able to test several of her tomato based recipes w/fresh tomatoes. They have all been delicious – full tomato flavor (especially her Linguini w/Roasted tomato sauce) and recipes with varying degrees of spiciness. Vegetable pasta dishes - there is a delicious pasta w/pesto recipe (and I was able to get my hands on fresh basil, broccolini and spinach) from the farmer’s market – yum! Note – I swapped broccolini for the broccoli called for in the recipe (Cavatappi w/mixed pesto and broccoli).
I’m looking forward to preparing many more of the recipes in this book.
Thank you to Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich-Manuali , NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for an advanced copy of this e-book.
I have watched Lidia Bastianich’s cooking shows for years and own several of her cookbooks – many recipes in each are my “go to’s”, so I was thrilled to have received an advanced copy of her new cookbook.
The cookbook begins with helpful sections on kitchen essentials for making pasta and her “pasta wisdom”. This is followed by the recipes – different types (shapes) of pasta and a variety of recipes w/different tomato sauces, vegetables, cheeses, meat sauces – all types of sauces. There are even baked and no-boil pasta dishes, stuffed pastas (which I haven’t attempted yet), pasta salads and soups with pasta and even gnocci. The pasta dishes are followed by a section with recipes for fresh pasta. I am looking forward to trying a few of these - like spinach and chickpea - when I have more time. There is even a gluten free pasta recipe.
As I’m reviewing this at the perfect time of the year – tomato season – I have been able to test several of her tomato based recipes w/fresh tomatoes. They have all been delicious – full tomato flavor (especially her Linguini w/Roasted tomato sauce) and recipes with varying degrees of spiciness. Vegetable pasta dishes - there is a delicious pasta w/pesto recipe (and I was able to get my hands on fresh basil, broccolini and spinach) from the farmer’s market – yum! Note – I swapped broccolini for the broccoli called for in the recipe (Cavatappi w/mixed pesto and broccoli).
I’m looking forward to preparing many more of the recipes in this book.
Thank you to Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich-Manuali , NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for an advanced copy of this e-book.
July 22, 2025
I was introduced to the author by watching her show on PBS, which was launched in 1998. She’s cooked a lot of pasta since then. I loved watching the show. I also have some of her cookbooks, so I was thrilled to be able to get an early copy of this book from NetGalley and the Publisher Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor.
The chapters are:
Pasta with Tomato Sauce
Pasta with Vegetables
Pasta with Fish
Pasta with Cheese
Pasta with Meat Sauce
Baked Pasta
Pasta Cooked in its Own Sauce
Soups with Pasta
Stuffed Pastas
Pasta Salads
Gnocchi
Fresh Pastas
I aways enjoy reading the introduction and other leading sections of cookbooks. This book offers an interesting Introduction and section on “Pasta Wisdom.” Lidia explains that some regions of Italy prefer meals made with Fresh Pasta and others like to use dried pasta.
This cookbook has about 200 pages of delicious recipes. Some will be familiar to you, others, I’m guessing, will be opportunities to try new, delightful meals. Some recipes used dried pasta, and others provided instructions on how to make your own pasta for the meal. I enjoyed looking through the entire book and deciding which recipes I’d like to try first.
The chapters are:
Pasta with Tomato Sauce
Pasta with Vegetables
Pasta with Fish
Pasta with Cheese
Pasta with Meat Sauce
Baked Pasta
Pasta Cooked in its Own Sauce
Soups with Pasta
Stuffed Pastas
Pasta Salads
Gnocchi
Fresh Pastas
I aways enjoy reading the introduction and other leading sections of cookbooks. This book offers an interesting Introduction and section on “Pasta Wisdom.” Lidia explains that some regions of Italy prefer meals made with Fresh Pasta and others like to use dried pasta.
This cookbook has about 200 pages of delicious recipes. Some will be familiar to you, others, I’m guessing, will be opportunities to try new, delightful meals. Some recipes used dried pasta, and others provided instructions on how to make your own pasta for the meal. I enjoyed looking through the entire book and deciding which recipes I’d like to try first.
August 29, 2025
Lidia's The Art of Pasta is a beautiful cookbook waiting for you to enjoy it! I was so pleasantly surprised by the vibrant photos and realistic recipes. Too often, cookbooks are full of recipes that include obscure ingredients that make it a farfetched dish to plan and make. I did not know the extent of Lidia's pasta knowledge going into reading this, but was so happy to see her expertise and experience shine through. Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and her daughter, Tanya Bastianich-Manuali, have created the ultimate pasta cookbook!
My favorite part of this cookbook is the last section, titled 'Pasta Fresca' which walks you through how to craft your own fresh pasta! I have been milling my own flour for about two years now and have always wanted to make my own pasta. It is so helpful to have a recipe, photos with each step, and an explanation of each type of pasta and accompanying dishes. This book is a wealth of knowledge and I would recommend it to any fellow pasta lover!
Thank you to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, and the authors Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich-Manuali for an ARC of Lidia's The Art of Pasta in exchange for an honest review!
My favorite part of this cookbook is the last section, titled 'Pasta Fresca' which walks you through how to craft your own fresh pasta! I have been milling my own flour for about two years now and have always wanted to make my own pasta. It is so helpful to have a recipe, photos with each step, and an explanation of each type of pasta and accompanying dishes. This book is a wealth of knowledge and I would recommend it to any fellow pasta lover!
Thank you to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, and the authors Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich-Manuali for an ARC of Lidia's The Art of Pasta in exchange for an honest review!
Read
September 17, 2025I have fond memories of Lidia’s TV show, so I was eager to try Lidia’s The Art of Pasta. However, with cheese being such a central ingredient in many recipes, navigating the cookbook with dietary restrictions proved a bit challenging. I made the Spaghetti al Pomodoro and the Spaghetti with Garlic Oil and Red Pepper Flakes (omitting the butter in the first and the cheese in both). While both were satisfying, neither was particularly memorable.
But since I had initially thought the book would focus more on making pasta from scratch, I ended up gravitating toward the final section, which covers that topic. I made the Fresh Pasta with Just Water and Flour, and also tried the Handmade Chickpea Pasta (subbing aquafaba for the eggs) and the Handmade Whole Wheat Pasta (subbing ground flaxseed for the eggs). Pasta-making is still a work in progress for me even after this book, but I appreciate how achievable Lidia makes it look. One downside of this cookbook is that the Kindle edition isn't formatted for e-readers; it lacks chapter breaks and a table of contents, making navigation a bit difficult.
Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for the advance reading copy.
But since I had initially thought the book would focus more on making pasta from scratch, I ended up gravitating toward the final section, which covers that topic. I made the Fresh Pasta with Just Water and Flour, and also tried the Handmade Chickpea Pasta (subbing aquafaba for the eggs) and the Handmade Whole Wheat Pasta (subbing ground flaxseed for the eggs). Pasta-making is still a work in progress for me even after this book, but I appreciate how achievable Lidia makes it look. One downside of this cookbook is that the Kindle edition isn't formatted for e-readers; it lacks chapter breaks and a table of contents, making navigation a bit difficult.
Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for the advance reading copy.
August 4, 2025
If you love pasta, this is for you!
ESPECIALLY if you love fresh pasta and making it yourself (like me!)
This book is packed with so many incredible pasta recipes, full of culture and love!
Fresh pasta recipes also included!
Perfect cookbook to have on hand to spice up your pasta adventures.
Full of stunning images.
Thanks Netgalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for giving me this lovely ARC!
ESPECIALLY if you love fresh pasta and making it yourself (like me!)
This book is packed with so many incredible pasta recipes, full of culture and love!
Fresh pasta recipes also included!
Perfect cookbook to have on hand to spice up your pasta adventures.
Full of stunning images.
Thanks Netgalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for giving me this lovely ARC!
August 10, 2025
I received a copy through Netgalley for review.
This is a great book on pasta, the dishes are simple, and uncomplicated.
These are recipes that anyone can follow and do, and produce really great pasta dishes at home for themselves.
While I'm not personally familiar with Lidia's other books or writings.
But she certainly knows what she is doing, this is going to be an extremely useful book for me as an avid pasta eater, I'm looking forward to trying some of her other recipes.
This is a great book on pasta, the dishes are simple, and uncomplicated.
These are recipes that anyone can follow and do, and produce really great pasta dishes at home for themselves.
While I'm not personally familiar with Lidia's other books or writings.
But she certainly knows what she is doing, this is going to be an extremely useful book for me as an avid pasta eater, I'm looking forward to trying some of her other recipes.
September 3, 2025
Net Galley ARC- First I love Lidia. She's my go-to authority on anything Italian. Despite being from Italy, I was told my grandmother didn't know how to cook so I feel like Lidia is my substitute Nonna. This book did not fail to meet my high expectations. Her recipes are well-written, thoughtful, and yield delicious results (yes I did make a couple). A few pictures scattered throughout show both finished dishes and fresh pasta being made. Definitely a keeper.
November 2, 2025
A good primer on making pasta dishes with both store-bought and homemade pasta. The recipes range from easy (suitable for beginning and/or busy cooks) to more complex and/or time-consuming, like some of the baked pastas. The tips and notes also give helpful guidance, such as the guide to pasta shapes. This seems like the one book about pasta that could replace all of the other pasta books on your bookshelf. Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for the eARC.
October 20, 2025
I don’t think Lidia could make a bad dish if she wanted to. Every single dish I have ever made from one of her recipes is fabulous. This book is both a feast for the eyes the mind and the soul. It is the perfect gift for anyone who loves Italian food. Seriously, this is going to be a gift for several of my friends and family this holiday season.
July 28, 2025
I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.
Lots of wonderful, easy to make pasta recipes in this book. I wish there were more pictures and more description of how to make the pasta an gnocchi as well as some pictures or drawings of the different shapes.
Lots of wonderful, easy to make pasta recipes in this book. I wish there were more pictures and more description of how to make the pasta an gnocchi as well as some pictures or drawings of the different shapes.
October 2, 2025
Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy! So many great pastas that I can't wait to try! Beautiful photos combined with simple to complex recipes that anyone can try. I know I will be referencing this cookbook often!
October 27, 2025
I love Lidia's TV shows. Decent recipes in this book, some of which sound delicious, but not enough photos. I strongly believe cookbooks should have photos of every completed dish. Many times, the photos are the deciding factor in what's for dinner. Disappointed in this one.
May 11, 2025
Absolutely amazing! The recipes all look delicious, easy, and the amount of cheesy pasta is making my heart explode! I can’t wait to make all these recipes!
December 6, 2025
This is a comprehensive Italian cookbook and I found several recipes I want to make!
December 19, 2025
Prepare to get hungry reading this book! Beautifully photographed. Easy to make recipes, although I have to modify all to be vegan and gluten free
December 27, 2025
Lidia is the best!
December 27, 2025
True Italian recipes. Lidia's the best.
October 19, 2025
Everything
If you want a complete book if pasta making, this is it.
From untensils to ingredients and various varieties.
Just about everything needed to know about pasta making.
If you want a complete book if pasta making, this is it.
From untensils to ingredients and various varieties.
Just about everything needed to know about pasta making.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews