The Pasta Queen: A Just Gorgeous Cookbook: 100+ Recipes and Stories

by Nadia Caterina Munno, Katie Parla (Editor)

Overview

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

TikTok sensation and beloved home cook Nadia Caterina Munno, a.k.a. The Pasta Queen, presents a cookbook of never-before-shared recipes featuring the signature pasta tips and tricks that are 100% authentic to Italian traditions—and just as gorgeous as you are.

In the first-ever cookbook from TikTok star and social media sensation Nadia Caterina Munno—a.k.a. The Pasta Queen—is opening the recipe box from her online trattoria to share the dishes that have made her pasta royalty. In this delectable antipasto platter of over 100 recipes, cooking techniques, and the tales behind Italy’s most famous dishes (some true, some not-so-true), Nadia guides you through the process of creating the perfect pasta, from a bowl of naked noodles to a dish large and complex enough to draw tears from the gods. Whether it’s her viral Pasta Al Limone, a classic Carbonara, or a dish that’s entirely Nadia’s—like her famous Assassin’s Spaghetti—The Pasta Queen’s recipes will enchant even the newest of pasta chefs.

Featuring a colorful tour of Italy through stunning photographs and celebratory tales of the country’s rich culinary heritage, along with stories about Nadia’s own life and family, The Pasta Queen is a cookbook that will warm your heart, soothe your soul, and spice up your life. And best of all? It’s just gorgeous.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781982195151
Publisher:	Gallery Books
Publication date:	11/08/2022
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	12,207
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Nadia Caterina Munno is The Pasta Queen. Born in Rome, Italy, she comes from a family of pasta makers and shares their cooking secrets with millions of people every day. Known for her mouthwatering recipes, palpable humor, and dramatic storytelling, Nadia’s online presence has spread like wildfire, amassing millions of followers on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. She has appeared on Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, and Good Morning America, and was named “a force to be reckoned with in the digital space” by both Entrepreneur magazine and Social Media Week. Find out more at ThePastaQueen.cooking.

Katie Parla is a Rome-based cultural historian, culinary expert, and journalist. She is the author of the food and travel blog ParlaFood.com and she reports on food, drinks, and culture for print and online publications. She leads culinary and cultural tours of Rome and regularly appears as an expert on the History Channel and the Travel Channel.

Table of Contents

My Story: Where It All Started xiii

About These Just Gorgeous Recipes xvii

Guide to Pasta Shapes xix

Pasta Queen-Isms xxii

Kitchen Tools xxv

Ingredients xxx

The Art of Entertaining xiii

Chapter 1 Pasta Basics

A Brief History of Pasta 3

Dried vs Fresh Pasta 3

My Fresh Pasta Dough Recipes 5

Rules for Making Perfect Pasta

The Pasta Queen Way 6

Sfoglia all'Uovo 9

Lasagno 10,12

Cannelloni 10,12

Tagliolini 10,12

Fettuccine 10,12

Tagllatelle 10,13

Pappardelle 10,13

Tonnarelli 14

Sfoglia Verde 16

Homemade Potato Gnocchi 18

Tortellini 21

Ricotto and Lemon Zest Tortelloni Filling 23

Ricotta and Nutmeg Tortelloni Filling 23

Ricotta and Mushroom Tortelloni Filling 24

Ravioli 26

Ricotto and Mushroom Filling 29

Butternut Squash and Provolone Filling 29

Pasta Acqua e Farina 30

Chapter 2 Where It All Began

The Classics 32

Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe 36

Spaghetti alia Carbonara 39

Spaghetti all'Amatriciana 43

Rigatoni alia Gricia 46

Penne all'Arrabbiata 48

Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino 51

Spaghetti alle Vongole 53

Gnocchi alia Sorrentina 56

Pasta e Fagioli con Pasta Mista Corta 60

Tagliatelle al Ragù di Lady Caterina 62

Rigatoni alia Papalina 66

Spaghettoni alia Puttanesca 68

Lasagna al Ragù di Lady Caterina 71

Timballo dl Pasta e Polpettine 75

Pasta con le Patate 77

Sartù di Riso 79

Chapter 3 Be My Guest

Recipes to Impress 82

Risotto alia Crema di Scampi 87

Fusiliata Casareccia ai Funghi 91

Conchiglie con Pera e Gorgonzola 92

Linguine con Cozze, Vongole, e Polipetti 94

Ziti alia Norma 97

Spaghetti alia Nerano 100

Mezze Maniche con Gamberi e Zucchine 102

Spaghetti al Limone 105

Risotto Cozze e Pecorino 106

The Devil's Kiss 108

Risotto al Funghi Porcini 109

Tagliolini al Tartufo 112

Risotto agli Agrumi 114

Pappardelle ai Ragù di Cinghiale 116

Lumache con la Menta 119

Fettuccine al Ragù di Polpo 120

Chapter 4 Family First

Quick and Easy Everyday Recipes 122

Pesto alia Genovese 126

Timballo di Pasta 129

Tortellini alla Panna 131

Linguine al Tonno 132

Pasta Caprese 135

Lasagna Vegetariana con Sfoglia Verde 136

Pastina in Brodo 138

Rigatoni alla Boscaiola 141

Frittata di Pasta 142

Tortellini in Brodo 145

Spaghetti allo Scoglio 147

Fettuccine Alfredo 149

Conchiglioni al Forno con Pomodoro e Ricotta 150

Insalata di Pasta e Tonno 153

Pastina Risottata 154

Candele e Carne alia Pizzaiola 156

Pastiera di Tagliolini 159

Orecchiette con Pomodoro e Cacioricotta 160

Chapter 5 Falling in Love with America

Recipes for Comfort 162

Radiatori al Forno 166

Finger Food Pasta Bake 168

The Drunken Salmon 171

Conchigliette ai Quattro Formaggi 172

Risotto al Pomodoro e Mozzarella 173

Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa e Salsiccia 174

Vegan Lady of the Night 177

Pasta al Baffo 178

Fettuccine alle Zucchine 179

Minestra di Spaghetti 180

Fusilli all'Ortolana 183

Cannelloni 184

Paccheri con Carciofi e Pomodorini 188

Ravioli Burro e Salvia 190

Pasta al Sugo 192

The Assassin's Spaghetti 195

Tonnarelli con Orata e Limone 196

Tonnarelli alla Leo 197

Chapter 6 The Pasta Renaissance

Creative Dishes 198

Pasta Queen Pesto 202

Lord Lemony Pesto 205

Red Passion Pesto 206

The Whipping Sicilian 209

The Lazy Princess 210

Lemon Temptress 213

The Rise of Venus 215

The Cobbler's Wife 216

Lady in Pink 218

Minty Mistress 221

Goddess of Love 222

The Snappy Harlot 224

The Rebellious Carbonara 225

The Angry Baroness 226

Lemon Ricotta Delight 229

Red Sensation 230

Green Temptation 231

Creamy Broccoli Delight 232

Cibum Amor Est 234

From the Pasta Queen, with Love 235

Resources 237

Pasta Inspo by Category 238

Index 239

Editorial Reviews

★ 11/07/2022

TikTok star Munno, whose Italian ancestors were dried pasta makers as far back as the 1880s, shares a mix of go-to classics and family recipes in her luscious debut. Before getting to the recipes, Munno provides a brief history of pasta and lays out some helpful cooking tips (“Treat the recommended cooking time on a box of dried pasta as a guide, not law, to tell you when the pasta is al dente”), and novices will appreciate the detailed directions for making from-scratch pasta (the explanation for how to shape tortellini runs to multiple paragraphs). Classic recipes include spicy penne all’arrabbiata, and spaghetti all’amatriciana with guanciale and Pecorino Romano. Easy everyday recipes make use of leftover pasta, such as timballo di pasta (baked pasta) with salami, ham, or sausage. The American-inspired recipes—silky mac and cheese, penne with creamy salmon—offer nourishing comfort food. Those who want to put their skills to the test can try their hands at one of the recipes that encourage experimentation, such as a lemony pesto that calls for lemon, mint, and pistachios, the proportions of which can be changed based on flavor preferences and what one has on hand. Thorough and infectiously jubilant, this spirited celebration of Italy’s most famous food is a winner. Agent: Brandi Bowles, UTA. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

"[A] luscious debut...Thorough and infectiously jubilant, this spirited celebration of Italy's most famous food is a winner."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This “just gorgeous” cookbook is truly that, and its assortment of recipes will please a variety of readers looking for bona fide Italian food for all occasions.”—Library Journal

“When Nadia Caterina Munno, a.k.a. ‘The Pasta Queen’ on TikTok, says ‘Just gorgeous’ about a plate of pasta, you have to believe her. Munno’s love for pasta can be traced back to the 1800s, when her family started a pasta factory in Southern Italy. In her debut cookbook, she presents never-before-shared recipes as well as some familiar favorites, like her viral Pasta Al Limone, alongside tips, tricks, and Southern Italian traditions”—Thrillist

"Transport yourself to Italy via this debut cookbook by Nadia Caterina Munno, better known to her 2.5 million TikTok followers as The Pasta Queen. The book is a love letter to her homeland, full of culinary history, noodle-making tips, and, of course, Munno’s beloved pasta recipes. Expect a mix of her already-viral hits (Assassin’s Spaghetti, anyone?) and entirely new recipes inspired by different regions in Italy."—Forbes

"Nadia has a natural touch when it comes to pasta: not only because she is a pasta native, but also because her personality is joyous and eclectic. She embodies generations of Italian women who have made beautiful (and just gorgeous) meals with simple ingredients for centuries."—Giuseppe Di Martino, CEO of the Pasta Di Martino group

"Nadia has an overwhelming sense of humor, incredible creative energy, great gastronomic skills, and love for Italy. She’s a great professional and leaves nothing to chance, and for this, I admire her a lot. Thanks to her ability to marry Italian cuisine with simplicity, Nadia is, in my opinion, one of the great prides of the food world."—Peppe Guida, Michelin star chef/owner of Antica Osteria di Nonna Rosa in Naples, Italy

"If you are looking to be tempted, transfixed, entertained, and elated by the jubilance of perfect pasta, look no further. The Pasta Queen herself is holding court, and her mouthwatering book is a testament to how wonderfully wide the world can be when you are speaking the love language of pasta. Nadia’s recipes are rich with tradition and ripe with innovation, and her ability to weave fun and deliciousness and just a scrunch of sass into every bite leaps from the page (the just gorgeous photos don’t hurt!). You will be hair flipping your way to pasta prowess in no time.”—Daphne Oz, Emmy Award-winning television host and New York Times bestselling author

“This debut will delight both home cooks and Munno's fans....a cookbook that’s liberally infused with her zest for food and life.”—Shelf Awareness

From the Publisher

11/01/2022

Munno brings vast inherited knowledge, and years as an Italian food blogger, to her first cookbook. There is much here to enjoy. An extensive ingredient and tool glossary is accompanied by a nice vignette of entertaining the Italian way. "Gorgeous Tips" include helpful hints for time savers, make-ahead, and flavor alternatives, and many recipes include QR codes to videos demonstrating how to make the dish. Photos are luxuriant but are as likely to be of Munno as of the food, but this is nothing new to fans of the blog and new readers likely won't mind a bit as her style is quite reminiscent of Giada De Laurentiis and Nigella Lawson. Cookbook readers will delight in turning the pages filled with plenty of family and recipe origin stories. True to the style of her blog, Munno delivers ingredient-forward recipes that encourage the use of fresh pasta, but she's not against subbing in dried pasta for quick weeknight meals. VERDICT This "just gorgeous" cookbook is truly that, and its assortment of recipes will please a variety of readers looking for bona fide Italian food for all occasions.—Sarah Tansley

Library Journal