Notes about Recipes in this book

• Spaghetti with guanciale, pecorino Romano, and black pepper (Spaghetti alla carbonara)

  • katiesue28 on March 17, 2023

    This technique worked really well for not accidentally curdling eggs. For the full pound of pasta in the recipe, I'd recommend adding a couple more egg yolks, unless the eggs that you are using are truly large.

• Penne in spicy tomato sauce (Penne all'arrabbiata)

  • dany_du23o5 on January 28, 2026

    I make it way spicier than the recipe says

• Potato gnocchi baked with tomato and cheese (Gnocchi alla Sorrentina)

  • cookingbychapter on December 31, 2025

    We really liked this. Had to use a bunch of extra seasoning in the tomato sauce to suit my family's taste, but that is just us. Will make again.

• Fresh pasta with my grandmother's meat ragù (Tagliatelle al ragù di Lady Caterina)

  • sophie_cvnagw on May 09, 2026

    Made the Ragu for the lasagna of this book and it’s elite. Would totally be amazing on its own with pasta and some parmigiano

• Pasta sheets layered with ragù and Béchamel (Lasagna al ragù di Lady Caterina)

  • sophie_cvnagw on May 04, 2026

    Absolutely obsessed with this meal.

  • Hoodywho on May 16, 2026

    Not a traditional lasagna, tasted good. Punch up the tomato flavor by adding some paste to the ragu.

• Rigatoni with smoked tomato, Calabrian chili, and vodka cream sauce (The devil's kiss)

  • katiesue28 on February 13, 2023

    I sauteed a pound of italian sauced at the beginning of this instead of the pancetta. This was a delicious and decadent dish. Easy but special.

• Pizza-style pasta and meat (Candele e carne alla pizzaiola)

  • dawn_dclvfm on April 15, 2026

    This is a delicious Sunday sauce. Low and slow and full of love.

• Orecchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage (Orecchiette con cime di rapa e salsiccia)

  • katiesue28 on July 02, 2024

    Very good. I increased the amount of garlic to three cloves. The cooking method described doesn't allow for the sausage to get a nice crispy brown, but it all ended up being very flavorful and tender.

  • dawn_dclvfm on April 15, 2026

    I didn’t have broccoli rabe but I substituted regular broccoli. I also increased the garlic as another commenter suggested and added some pecorino cheese. I took a few of the cooked broccoli chunks and mashed them with an immersion blender and mixed with the pasta water to make a bit creamier sauce.

• Seasonal garden pasta (Fusilli all'ortolana)

  • Shannoncooks17 on August 19, 2023

    Delicious! Made just as it was written and it was so easy to make. Layers of flavor and a good use of our garden vegetables! Will make again!

• Gnocchetti Sardi with lemon, mint, and pistachios (Lord lemony pasta)

  • katiesue28 on January 06, 2023

    The flavor of this was good, though I do prefer basil as the main herb in a pesto. My biggest issue was that the texture was quite dry, even after adding quite a bit of pasta water. I would recommend adding more olive oil when initially blending the ingredients together.

• Spaghetti with garlic, chili pepper, and parsley (The whipping Sicilian)

  • dany_du23o5 on January 28, 2026

    So good!

• Pasta with olives, anchovies, capers, and Calabrian chili paste (The snappy harlot)

  • amgenove on May 16, 2024

    Delicious - this recipe is in regular rotation at our house!

• Hot and spicy vodka cream sauce with trofie (The angry baroness)

  • amgenove on May 16, 2024

    Love this - you can also add mushrooms, peas, and/or prosciutto!

  • dany_du23o5 on January 28, 2026

    Way better than other vodka sauce recipes

• One-pot creamy broccoli and pasta (Creamy broccoli delight)

  • dawn_dclvfm on May 30, 2026

    Everyone enjoyed this recipe. It was creamy without cream. I did not have ditalini so I used small shells. Any small pasta would work. Would imagine it would be good with orzo or even as a risotto. The cooking process was very similar. Great meatless option but would also be good with a little sausage added.