Fresh Ideas for Pasta Lovers: A Review of Donna Kelly’s New Cookbook

 

If your family is anything like mine, pasta is one of those dependable ingredients that’s always waiting patiently in the pantry for inspiration to strike. It’s affordable, versatile, comforting, and just about everyone loves it. So when I came across 101 Things to Do With Pasta by Donna Kelly, I was curious to see whether it could offer something beyond the usual spaghetti-and-meatballs routine.

 I’m happy to say it does.

  Part of the popular 101 Cookbooks series, this compact little volume packs an impressive variety of recipes into its 128 pages. While it may be small enough to tuck into a tote bag or kitchen drawer, it's filled with practical ideas that make weeknight dinner -- and even breakfasts and lunches -- a little more exciting.

The recipes are organized into easy-to-browse chapters including "Brunching and Lunching," "Sassy Salads," "Weeknight Pastabilities," "Company's Coming," "Veggie Delights," "Baked Pasta Dishes, and "Around the World. Whether you're craving a quick one-pan meal or something hearty enough for company, there's likely something here to tempt you.Among the recipes that caught my eye were Spinach Artichoke Orzo, Confetti Pasta Salad, Creamy Shrimp Tagliatelle, Creamy Mushroom Pasta Rags, and Orzo Jambalaya. The “Around the World” section was an especially fun addition, featuring dishes such as Turkish Pasta, Jewish Noodle Kugel, and Singapore Spicy Tofu Noodles that add a welcome international twist. One thing I appreciated is Kelly’s practical introduction. Rather than spending pages discussing cookware or complicated techniques, she focuses on helpful tips like understanding pasta sizes and the differences between cooking pasta for hot dishes versus cold salads. It’s the kind of information beginning cooks will actually use.

  The recipes themselves are straightforward and concise. Most fit comfortably on a single page, ingredient list included, making them easy to follow without endless page-turning. Many rely on pantry staples and supermarket ingredients, and there are even gluten-free and vegan-friendly options sprinkled throughout the book.

 That said, seasoned cooks may notice a bit of repetition. Several recipes share similar methods or ingredients, and some categories overlap. There is also a noticeable reliance on convenience products—particularly jarred Alfredo sauce and cream cheese—in some of the weeknight recipes. If you prefer making everything completely from scratch, you may find yourself adapting a few dishes.

 Another drawback is the lack of photographs. As someone who truly enjoys cookbooks filled with beautiful food photography, I did miss having pictures to inspire me. There’s also no index, so locating recipes by ingredient requires browsing the table of contents rather than flipping to an alphabetical listing. Still, those are relatively minor complaints considering the cookbook’s purpose. This isn’t intended to be a coffee-table cookbook; it’s designed to be practical, approachable, and affordable.

 In fact, I think 101 Things to Do With Pasta would make a wonderful gift. Its compact size makes it perfect for slipping into a stocking at Christmas, adding to a pasta-themed gift basket with imported pasta and homemade sauce, tucking into a care package for a college student, or pairing with a bottle of olive oil for a thoughtful hostess gift. 

If you’ve ever stood in front of your pantry wondering, “What else can I make with this box of pasta?” Donna Kelly has plenty of delicious answers.

 Scheduled for release on July 14^th, you can order a copy here.

 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars)