Reading: Our Favorite Must-Have Cookbooks

Let the cozy cooking season begin! Whether you are an experienced chef or someone who wants to crush some new recipes this fall, we’ve got you with these gorgeous new cookbooks. There’s something for everyone here from vegetarian and Italian cooking to sweets galore! Bon appetit!

What Goes with What: 100 Recipes, 20 Charts, Endless Possibilities
($35, by Julia Turshen)

From bestselling author Julia Turshen comes a fresh, fun way to approach cooking that takes the guesswork out of everyday meals. Julia is like your kitchen buddy, always ready with simple, satisfying recipes and real-life tips. She’s the go-to for turning random ingredients — like that ground turkey in the fridge — into something delicious. In her latest book, she offers a creative approach to cooking, breaking it down into six sections (salads, soups, mains, and more). With 20 charts and 100 recipes, Julia helps you master meal-making while leaving plenty of room for adding your own flair of flavor. 

Our South: Black Food Through My Lens ($40, by Ashleigh Shanti)

Ashleigh Shanti, a queer Black chef from Appalachia, shows the breadth of delicious Southern Black cooking. In her book Our South, she dives into five unique regions, each with its own flavors and traditions. You’ll find recipes for everything from Fish Camp Hush Puppies to smoky grilled oysters. Growing up, Ashleigh learned the importance of a home cooked meal from the matriarchs in her family. After earning praise as one of New York Times’ 16 Black Chefs Changing Food in America, and becoming a semifinalist for the 2020 James Beard Award for Rising Star Chef, she opened Good Hot Fish, honoring her roots and the rich food culture of the South.

The Weekday Vegetarians Get Simple ($33, by Jenny Rosenstrach)

Jenny Rosenstrach’s first bestselling cookbook, The Weekday Vegetarians, showed us that you don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy meat-free meals. In her new book, Get Simple, she shares 100 easy and delicious vegetarian recipes. Jenny tackles common myths, like the idea that vegetarian cooking is complicated, with handy skillet and sheet pan dinners — try her cozy Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Butternut Squash (the perfect fall meal!). She also dispels the notion that vegetarian meals aren’t filling with comfort dishes like Golden Greens Pie. For those worried about pasta fatigue, she offers tasty options like Crispy Eggplant Bowls. Plus, her starter kit helps you whip up eight meals from just 15 ingredients. Get ready to love your meat-free nights!

The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook ($35, by Monique Volz)

Millions of fans know Monique Volz’s website Ambitious Kitchen for its tasty, inventive recipes packed with nutrition and personality. In her debut cookbook, she invites you to find your own Ambitious Kitchen and discover how food can bring joy and health into your life. Whether you need a stunning dish for a gathering or a comforting meal for the family, The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook has you covered. Monique offers balanced, vibrant recipes like Glowing Skin Smoothies and The Best Cinnamon Rolls. Think easy dinners like Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken and crowd-pleasing Baked Chicken Tacos. With handy “Make It Your Way” tips, you can customize each dish to fit your tastes, and many recipes can easily be made gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan. Get ready to impress yourself and others!

The Mediterranean Dish: Simply Dinner ($35, by Suzy Karadsheh)

In The Mediterranean Dish: Simply Dinner, beloved blogger Suzy Karadsheh serves up over 125 delicious, easy Mediterranean-inspired recipes that make weeknight cooking a breeze. Each chapter focuses on handy techniques, like one-pan meals (think One-Pan Chicken Drumsticks with Orzo), cozy one-pot dishes (like Pantry Tomato Soup with Couscous), and quick grilling (hello, Shawarma-Spiced Steak!). You’ll find skillet meals, vibrant salads, and mix-and-match mezze, plus ideas for adding protein, like quick skillet shrimp with Blistered Green Beans. Suzy also shares practical tips on meal planning and flavor-building, turning simple ingredients into what she calls a “flavor party.” Her joyful, relaxed approach makes cooking accessible and fun for everyone.

Pass the Plate ($35, by Carolina Gelen)

Carolina is not your typical chef or food influencer; she grew up cooking at home with a family that loved food but rarely ate out. She turned that passion into a successful career as a recipe developer, building a community of millions who adore her creations. In her debut cookbook, Pass the Plate, she shares 100 creative yet familiar comfort food recipes, including new dishes and some fan favorites. From Chicken Schnitzel with Caramelized Lemon Gremolata to Upside-Down Pineapple Coconut Cake, there’s something for everyone. With fun chapters like Egg-Stravaganza and Veg Out, plus beautiful photos and heartwarming stories about her Romanian family, this book is sure to bring joy to your kitchen.

Italian American Forever ($35, by Alex Guarnaschelli)

Food Network star Alex Guarnaschelli is a French-trained chef and Iron Chef, but at heart, she’s an Italian American home cook. Growing up with Sicilian and Bari roots, she switched between her dad’s marinara during the week and her mom’s on weekends, dining at cozy trattorias across NYC. In her cookbook, she shares 120 beloved recipes that celebrate classic Italian flavors. From Fettuccine Alfredo and Carmella Soprano’s Lasagna to hearty Stuffed Artichokes, each dish reflects the joy of cooking and sharing. With 115 gorgeous photos, this collection is all about food that brings us together. And what’s better than that for cozy cooking season?!

Sweet Tooth ($35, by Sarah Fennel)

Sarah Fennel started her blog Broma Bakery, to combine her love for baking and photography, and it quickly grew into a favorite for millions. Her site features delicious, nostalgic desserts with a modern twist, like Strawberry Shortcake Cake and Oatmeal Cream Cookies. In her cookbook, Sweet Tooth, Sarah presents new recipes like Espresso Martini Cake and Vanilla Bean-Blackberry Scones, along with beloved classics like her Best Chocolate Chip Cookies. Whether you’re a newbie or a pro, her tips will help you bake fluffier cakes and flakier crusts. With easy instructions and a guide to mastering your pantry, Sweet Tooth is perfect for anyone with a passion for dessert.

Robin Kall is a literary influencer who over the past two decades has built a devoted and passionate following. In addition to her radio talk show, Robin has hosted countless “can’t miss” author events including “Summer With Robin” and “Evening With Authors.” She lives in Rhode Island with her husband and their corgi, Benny. Follow Robin on X @robinkall, Instagram, or Facebook. Read more book lists by Robin.