While I typically cook from the recipe app on my phone, I do love cookbooks, and it has to be a great one to deserve a spot on the shelf. These are my favorites.
Table of Contents
From reliable weeknight recipes to meals that impress without too much fuss, these cookbooks have earned their spot in my collection. If you’re looking to refresh your kitchen routine, build your cookbook library, or find a gift for a fellow food lover, this list is a great place to start.
🍽️ Quick & Easy Meals
I always prefer my home cooked meals to be one-pot and quick. Remember, I’d rather be knitting.
I Dream of Dinner (so You Don’t Have To)
These recipes are straightforward using common ingredients. And there’s an index at the back based on circumstance – For the Freezer, Dinner in 10 Minutes, etc.
The New York Times Cooking No-Recipe Recipes
These are recipes more about the process than the ingredient quantities. Once you make something once, you’ll probably be able to throw it together from memory in the future.
![The New York Times Cooking No-Recipe Recipes: [A Cookbook]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/316H5Z8Y4wL._SL500_.jpg)
🧁 Baking & Desserts
I am a “dessert person.”
The Book On Pie
This cookbook is a mix and match guide for crusts, fillings, and toppings. You can create an extra special pie. Erin Jeanne McDowel is such a great teacher, and I highly recommend her Bake it Up a Notch series on YouTube.
Also, pie is my nemesis, so it says a lot for me to consider this to be one of the best cookbooks ever. I’ve gifted it multiple times, too.
Dessert Person
Claire Saffitz is a gem. These desserts are special. Enjoy!
🎉 Entertaining & Hosting Guests
I’m not one to entertain – too stressful! But when I do, I want the food to be great and low stress.
Boards: Stylish Spreads for Casual Gatherings
This book has all kinds of ‘boards’ that make great party spreads. Whether you want to make a board for breakfast, dinner, dessert, or anything in between, this book has you covered with cheese boards, taco boards, etc. And even better, it has recipes for homemade items or options for picking things up at the store for less work.
🧠 Culinary Wisdom
Sometimes it’s nice to have reference books for our hobbies. These are mine.
Simply Genius by Food52
Get this cookbook for a college grad – it will set them up for cooking success. There are so many clever techniques and instructions in addition to the great recipes.
![Food52 Simply Genius: Recipes for Beginners, Busy Cooks & Curious People [A Cookbook] (Food52 Works)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51eGzk4houL._SL500_.jpg)
The Flavor Bible
This isn’t a cookbook, per se. It is a flavor dictionary. It has a section for each ingredient you can think of with a list of all of the other ingredients that pair well with it. I use it when I’m throwing something together and want to make sure the flavors work. It’s what I used for my list of flavor combo ideas for my Fruit, Yogurt, and Granola bowls.
Final Thoughts
Cookbooks are more than just recipes—they’re tools, teachers, and companions in the kitchen. These favorites of mine have helped me through uninspired ruts, taught me new techniques, and reminded me that food is about enjoyment, not perfection.
If you’re looking to cook more at home or just find a little extra joy in your routine, I hope one of these titles finds a place in your kitchen too. Have a favorite I didn’t mention? I’d love to hear about it!
I also have lists of favorite fiction, non-fiction, board books, and knitting books.
