Breaking the Rules is the Italian cookbook you've been waiting for, the one that finally gives you permission to stop overthinking and start cooking. If you've ever stared at a recipe and talked yourself out of trying it because it felt too complicated or too "rules-heavy," Joe Sasto is here to change that. He wants you in the kitchen, having fun, and trusting yourself. These recipes are a roadmap, not a rulebook.
Joe encourages you to substitute what you have and never compromise your joy in the process. That kind of encouragement in a cookbook is rare, and it makes a real difference when you're standing in the kitchen. If you've been building your cookbook collection and looking for something that's both inspiring and actually usable on a weeknight, this one delivers.
My Cookbook Corner section has other great cookbook reviews, too!
Let's Talk About Joe Sasto
If you haven't stumbled across Joe Sasto's Instagram yet, go find his "Will It Focaccia?" series. He is playful, enthusiastic, and genuinely over the top in the best way. But underneath all that fun energy is a chef with serious credentials - from his mom's home kitchen to Michelin-starred restaurants to his time on Top Chef.
Joe has the skills, and more importantly, he has a generous way of sharing them. He teaches technique without being rigid. He invites you into the process rather than gatekeeping it. And he will absolutely make you tear up a little with how sweetly and openly he attributes everything to his mother.
Photography by Bre Furlong
What's Inside Breaking the Rules
This vibrant, well-organized cookbook has 86 recipes spread across nine chapters. The chapter titles alone tell you this book has personality: "Crispy Crunchy," "Fresh and Light," and "Breaking the Bread". There is something for every craving and every skill level.
Need a reliable dried pasta recipe? It's here. Looking for sweet treats? Covered! Want essential basics that will make your whole kitchen life easier? Joe's got you. The book is built to meet you where you are and push you a little further every time you open it.
Favorite Recipes I Tested
The Rosemary and Blackberry Focaccia was a standout, and the step-by-step photos in this section make it very easy to follow along. It's the kind of recipe that looks impressive but walks you through every stage clearly. The Pesto Pinwheel Pull-Apart Bread is absolutely stunning to look at and even better to eat. I've posted on my Instagram, go check them out!
Need an appetizer? Try Baked Burrata alla Diavola. Bubbling, spicy, creamy, so perfect for holding off dinner a little longer or impressing a crowd. Plant your cherry tomatoes now for this perfect summer appetizer.
When Spring rolls around, and asparagus is back in season, the Asparagus Cooked in Its Own Juices is going on repeat in my kitchen. It's simple, seasonal, and exactly the kind of recipe I gravitate towards this time of year. If you're already thinking about Spring produce, my Easy Asparagus Tart is another great way to put those beautiful spears to work.
The Matcha Tea-ramisu was seriously so fun to make and felt on trend. It's a playful twist that is delicious. Don't skip it!
Why You'll Want this Book
A few things stood out to me as I worked through the recipes:
- The recipes actually taste delicious - not just fun to photograph, but also really good to eat.
- Step-by-Step instructions that move at a helpful pace and build your confidence as you go.
- Options and variations throughout, so you're never stuck if you're missing an ingredient.
- Permission to substitute freely and make each recipe your own.
- Encouragement, this book makes you want to try things.
Joe pushes boundaries without leaving you behind. That's a skill not every cookbook author has, and it makes this one feel different. Whether you're making your first focaccia or your fiftieth pasta, the instructions give you a solid foundation and then hand you the creative reins. I found myself wanting to try one more recipe, then one more after that. The bread recipes especially pulled me in. That's the mark of a good recipe: it gets you excited about the next thing.
A big thank you to Simon Element for gifting me this cook.
Final Thoughts
Breaking the Rules by Joe Sasto is a cookbook that genuinely earns a spot on your shelf. You will cook from this book. It's Italiian inspired, full of personality, and built around the idea that cooking should bring you joy. Joe has done something really special here: he's made flavor approachable and the whole experience fun from the first page to the last.
If you pick it up, I'd love to hear which recipe you try first. Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @therecipenecessity. Happy cooking!
Shannon Robison says
What a fun vibrant cookbook! I can't wait to hear what you think.