The Essential Pasta Cookbook

A very helpful book, well organized, and full of recipes from the easy to the more complicated. Everything can be done in a reasonable amount of time if you adhere to the star method to choose your level of complication (one star: easy; 2 stars, a little harder...). This is a favorite of those who've tried the dishes, though a little more careful editing would have been welcome (for example, in the recipe for Ziti with Vegetables and Italian Sausage, why is there no sausage in the recipe? For the times you must create a béchamel, why not mention that you return the sauce to a medium-high heat and not the low heat you were just using?). I won't be picky: this is a great pasta book. One caveat: if weight watching is an issue for dishes you prepare, keep looking - these recipes are mostly quite high in the calorie department. However, if you're looking for a good general pasta book, try this one first and wait before buying others; this one supplanted most of my other pasta cookbooks, and it may for you, too.

Wow, I thought I had pretty much seen all the great cookbooks out in the market. Boy I am so pleased by this book. It is very well organized, with catagories, such as pasta with meat, chicken, vegetable, etc. I was pleasantly surprised with the gnocchi section, as it is hard to find great recipes with pictures for this topic.If you are searching for a great book that will satisfy both your palate and mind, this is the book to have.BTW, the paperback version comes with a plastic cover. So no worry about ruining the cover during cooking. A++++ !!!

Not only is this my favorite pasta cookbook, but it's just flat out my favorite cookbook of any type. There is a picture of EVERY SINGLE item in the book -- very helpful for determining whether it's something you want to make, and also how it's supposed to look when it's done. The instructions are very easy to follow. Most of the recipes are for simple, easy-to-make meals that require a total prep and cook time of less than 30 minutes, yet they taste better than what you find in most Italian restaurants. I was never that big of a pasta fan before, but I use this cookbook at least three times a week now.I can't wait until they come out with more titles in the Essential cookbook series (currently limited to seafood, vegetarian, appetizers, desserts, and "Christmas" stuff).You won't be disappointed with this one!

I recently bought a handcrank pasta machine and was on the lookout for a pasta cookbook that had recipes using fresh pasta. My mom surprised me with this book and I absolutely love it! I love cookbooks with lots of pictures so I can see what the recipes look like. This book has a picture of every recipe so I am in cookbook heaven! Lots of great recipes too! Buy it for yourself or give it as a gift. Two thumbs up!

A perfect Italian cook book, both in its contents and the way they are presented - vivid pictures, thoughtful cooking instructions, and even the neatly designed book itself in paperback...Strongly recommend to anyone who is looking for a pasta cookbook.