Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking: A James Beard Award Winner: 30th Anniversary Edition: A Cookbook
About this product
One of the most beloved cookbooks of all time, from “the Queen of Italian Cooking” ( Chicago Tribune ). A timeless collection of classic Italian recipes—from Basil Bruschetta to the only tomato sauce you’ll ever need (the secret ingredient: butter)—beautifully illustrated and featuring new forewords by Lidia Bastianich and Victor Hazan
“If this were the only cookbook you owned, neither you nor those you cooked for would ever get bored.” —Nigella Lawson
Marcella Hazan introduced Americans to a whole new world of Italian food. In this, her magnum opus, she gives us a manual for cooks of every level of expertise—from beginners to accomplished professionals.
In these pages, home cooks will discover:
• Minestrone alla Romagnola
• Tortelli Stuffed with Parsley and Ricotta
• Risotto with Clams
• Squid and Potatoes, Genoa Style
• Chicken Cacciatora
• Ossobuco in Bianco
• Meatballs and Tomatoes
• Artichoke Torta
• Crisp-Fried Zucchini blossoms
• Sunchoke and Spinach Salad
• Chestnuts Boiled in Red Wine, Romagna Style
• Polenta Shortcake with Raisins, Dried Figs, and Pine Nuts
• Zabaglione
• And much more
This is the go-to Italian cookbook for students, newlyweds, and master chefs, alike. Beautifully illustrated with line drawings throughout, Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking brings together nearly five hundred of the most delicious recipes from the Italian repertoire in one indispensable volume.
As the generations of readers who have turned to it over the years know (and as their spattered and worn copies can attest), there is no more passionate and inspiring guide to the cuisine of Italy. Read more
Editor's Take
Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan is widely praised as a foundational Italian cookbook and a serious teaching tool rather than a casual recipe collection.
Goodreads reviewers call it one of the most comprehensive and indispensable Italian cookbooks, with many readers saying it helped them learn authentic techniques and return to it for years. Some reviewers note that it can feel demanding for beginners because it expects quality ingredients and a willingness to follow detailed instructions. A LuvemBooks review highlights strong Amazon ratings and describes it as authoritative, influential, and especially valuable for committed home cooks. Other blog and forum reviews echo the same themes: reliable recipes, clear technique, and excellent results when followed closely.
On YouTube, search results surfaced videos that appear directly about this cookbook, including review-style content for Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking and The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan.
Overall, customer sentiment is strongly positive: readers admire the book’s depth, reliability, and classic status, while the main criticism is that it is more rigorous and ingredient-focused than beginner-friendly.
- Goodreads reviewers: comprehensive, indispensable, and highly reliable.
- Amazon-rating summaries on review sites: strong overall satisfaction and repeated use.
- Blog and forum readers: authentic recipes, clear technique, excellent outcomes.
Price History
Specifications
| Cuisine | Italian |
Product Details
| Publisher | Knopf |
| Publication date | September 20, 2022 |
| Edition | Anniversary |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 736 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0593534328 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0593534328 |
| Item Weight | 2.55 pounds |
| Dimensions | 7.45 x 1.76 x 9.25 inches |
| Best Sellers Rank | #2,846 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #3 in Italian Cooking, Food & Wine #15 in Celebrity & TV Show Cookbooks |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (5,425) |