Something from Nothing: A Cookbook

by Alison Roman

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Something from Nothing is Alison Roman’s latest book featuring over 100 deceptively simple, casually stylish, impossibly delicious recipes that make the most of your pantry.

AN NPR AND ECONOMIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

In Something from Nothing, bestselling author Alison Roman gives you a collection of simple, smart, timeless recipes that rely on a home cook's best kept a well-stocked pantry. Making the most of your shelf-stable bottles, bags, jars and cans, Alison shows you how to cook as she does–loosely, intuitively, and with maximum flavor. With each recipe you’ll fall deeper in love with the magic of pantry cooking by using flavorful, hardworking ingredients, leaving you to ask, “How did something so wonderful come from basically nothing?”. In this book, you’ll find warm, opinionated writing coupled with classic recipes, both with signature Alison flair, such
Snacks and Things to Start Herbed Artichoke Dip; Spanish Tortilla & Friends; and Labne with Caramelized HarissaSoups & Kimchi-Tomato Soup with Rice & a Soft Egg; Golden Mushroom Soup with Orzo & a Pat of Butter; and Ginger & Greens Noodle SoupVegetables & How to Make Them Taste Even Forever-Roasted Squash with Browned Butter Dates; Wine-Braised Romano Beans with Anchovy; and Spiced, Butter-Roasted Carrots with WalnutsPasta & Saucy Roasted Eggplant Pasta; Bolognese with Fennel; and Carbonara for TwoBeans & Crispy Baked Beans with Mushrooms & Parmesan; Buttered Polenta with Fresh Corn; Caramelized Beans with Tomato & CabbageMeats & Crushed-Olive Chicken with Turmeric; Steak Like Tartare; Crispy Fish with Dill & Fried Capers
Whether you’re feeding yourself on a busy weeknight or hosting a last-minute dinner party, this book has just what you need. For easy, straightforward recipes that still impress, Something from Nothing has you covered, showing you how to turn every bag of beans, tin of anchovies and jar of olives into a meal worth celebrating.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2025

About the author

ALISON ROMAN is the author of the bestselling cookbook Dining In, a bi-weekly columnist for the Cooking section of The New York Times and a monthly contributor at Bon Appétit Magazine. Creator of #thestew and #thecookies, her highly cookable recipes frequently achieve massive popularity in both home kitchens and on the internet. A native of Los Angeles, she lives in Brooklyn until she moves upstate like everyone else.

(source: Amazon)

Reviews

[Michaela Zadow · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5: Now I do not usually count recipe books as official ‘books’ unless they warrant it, and wow does this pass the test. I may be biased as Alison is my dream dinner party guest, but I actually laughed out loud in parts as she shares odes to crisps, dried beans and anchovies. I honestly have no ‘skip recipes’ and every recipe has a ‘mini essay’ which I loved. Now time to cook!!!

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

well, we may have found our favorite cookbook of 2025! so many delicious recipes that I can't wait to make accompanied by gorgeous photographs that really bring the dishes to life. love this beautiful book

[Luke Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Alison's best work. Her magnum opus.

Not only did every recipe make me go - YUM - I cant wait to cook this, in her usual writing style, I found myself giggling and smiling and just feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

I cant wait for her memoir in approximately 15-20 years.

[Rachel P · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s unlike me to consider reading a cookbook as “reading a book” in the same way I do reading, say, a novel or a memoir. I am cheating the system and doing that here, though, as reading this one cover to cover brought so much joy. It is thoughtfully written, and sweet without being cloying, and reminded me why I love cooking for people I love as much as I do. It sparked creativity and made me want get in the kitchen and work with what I had, and do better about how much waste I kick out while I work. One of the best cookbooks I’ve found, and such a delight to read (especially while working through 2666)…

[Justina Trisko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes- I read all of Alison’s cookbooks like a long awaited novel. This is the best one yet- a divine commentary on pantry staples paired with recipes that make you instantly starving- recipes you theoretically could make right now- without going to the grocery store because you already have everything. Except maybe heaps of fresh dill.
I don’t buy cookbooks, everything in my cupboard is a family heirloom or a Mead notebook of recipes. But I bought all 4 of this woman’s books and I’d buy them again.

[Bookmarked ByLisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Food for the soul: this book has an array of easy recipes mostly from pantry sourced goods. What I enjoyed most about this recipe books were Alison's short blurbs for each recipe allowing us to get to know her as a person. This book will surely make you smile while cooking some heart warming foods. Loved it! Thanks @hardiegrantbooks for such a delicious book!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I grow up I want to be Alison Roman

One of my fav genres of food is meals I can whip up from pantry regulars so this is the perfect cookbook imo. EVERY recipe in this book looks approachable and delectable!! I will update once I make some/all dishes in this book

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my favorite Alison Roman so far.

[Kayla Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roman’s style of both cooking and writing is so warm and approachable. This collection renewed my spirit and made me excited to try some new dinners.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars

A large collection of endlessly riffable recipes that are easy and made with pantry ingredients. Can't go wrong with that.