I have been following Matteo on socials for a while now so when I saw he was coming out with this book I knew I had to read it. And it was not only funny but heartfelt and very well thought out. The pictures were vibrant and had a homey feeling. I liked that he included like an anecdote or origin before every recipe, his family has big part in a lot of them and you can feel that food brings them together. One of my favorite parts was the found family chapter, it was funny and it showed that sometimes we can choose our own family and the play an integral part in the things we enjoy. The recipes look delicious and I can't wait to make some and try them myself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this ARC, all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the recipes of this book and how it worked in this genre. It had that concept that I was looking for and had that humorous element that I wanted from Matteo Lane and J. J. Goode.

Loved this!! I have heard of some of the dishes in this book, but was surprised to discover new pasta recipes. I am someone who can eat pasta everyday so finding out new dishes is such a win for me. I do tend to lean towards eating vegetarian and luckily most of these dishes can be turned veggie friendly. Definitely looking forward to trying out more dishes!

I received an ARC of this cookbook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great cookbook. It's full of delicious recipes that are interspersed with funny stories about the author's family!

Your Pasta Sucks A “Cookbook” is a fun and funny take on making pasta. The author uses his unique experiences and his own recipe to show readers how pasta should be made. The book is a journey of both learning to make pasta and learning about the author. I love this approach because it makes the recipes seem more personal and authentic and also helps connect the reader to the author. The authors sense of humor and quirky style made this a really enjoyable read. The recipes were great. Some were more unique then others. All of them were well explained with amazing photos to accompany them. This would be a great book for anyone to add to their collection. It would also make a wonderful gift as well. I definitely recommend this book.

I got an ARC for this and was super excited about it because I love Mateo and have been watching his YouTube for a few years now. I expected this to be a cookbook, and as a non-cooker, I wasn’t sure how I would feel. But I was nicely surprised!

The personal anecdotes and stories from Mateo about growing up and his culture influencing his love of pasta really gave me a better understanding as to why it’s so important to him. And of course he’s hilarious so the little quips kept me laughing. But on the same hand, it is still a cookbook and quite frankly, it’s way more advanced than I am in the kitchen and most of the recipes require a real true passion for the food and art of cooking. So will I ever read this again? Probably not. Will I make any recipes from the book? God, no. (Nick and I will enjoy our simple meals just fine!) But did I enjoy it for what it was? Sure.

I like this guy and follow him on Instagram. I figured his cookbook would be both amusing and filled with Italian recipes and I was right.
It’s funny, every recipe has a beautiful picture and lots of decisions are ones I’ll want to try. The ingredients are easy to find and the recipes aren’t overly complicated.
I saved these:
Pasta Della Momma
Eggplant parmigiana
Pasta carbonara
Pasta alla gricia
Aglio e olio


I got to read an early ebook edition on NetGalley. Thank you!

Ok, so I have been following Matteo for a long time across various platforms. So when I saw his cookbook I knew I immediately had to have it. Let me tell you this did not disappoint! I loved getting a taste of history for what inspired each recipe and that his humor and comedy still shined throughout.

My most favorite thing is that there was ZERO FISH OR SEAFOOD. I, like Matteo also swell up when graced with its presence. I don't think I have ever read a single pasta/Italian cookbook that doesn't have some form of seafood. So for me personally this was an absolute highlight because I don't have to go through and figure out what I need to leave out or wonder if I leave it out will it still turn out well, "Do I need to add more to make up for it?"...etc, etc, etc.

I am a basic bitch so I made the Cacio E Pepe and OMG it was the best recipe I have tried by far. Every step was incredibly easy to follow. Some other standout recipes I will be trying are Gram Grams Eggplant Parmesan, Pasta Della Mamma, Pistachio Pesto pasta and Pasta al Limone.

This cookbook was a delicious love letter to Matteos family, found family and of course PASTA. I can't wait to try more recipes and see what else Matteo has up his sleeves.

"Your Pasta Sucks" is a playful and campy take on a cookbook, perfectly suited for those who are just starting their culinary journey or looking for a lighthearted addition to their kitchen shelf. Comedian Matteo Lane, known for his wit, brings a humorous twist to pasta-making, while co-author J.J. Goode lends some solid structure to the recipes.

The book doesn't take itself too seriously, making it a fun read as much as it is a cooking guide. Lane’s comedic flair shines through in the casual tone and irreverent commentary, which keeps things entertaining even if you're not planning to make a meal. There are a few genuinely solid pasta recipes sprinkled throughout that are accessible and tasty, making it a nice option for beginners who want to learn the basics without getting overwhelmed.

However, for more advanced home cooks or serious pasta aficionados, "Your Pasta Sucks" might feel a bit too simplistic. The book focuses more on fun and personality than deep dives into complex techniques, which could leave experienced cooks craving something more substantial.

Overall, it’s a quirky, enjoyable read and a perfect fit for a starter cookbook collection, but if you’re already a pasta pro, you may want to look elsewhere for more depth.

Did I specifically request this arc because I have a deep rooted love for Matteo Lane? Yes. Did I think I’d fully love this? Iffy. I’m not a huge cooker. However, I loved every single second of this. There is humor, love, photos, and pasta! Plus, we had mentions of some of my favorite humans: bob, Monet, Patti, and Jacob! Plus, I actually got some recipes that I’m actually excited to try. Matteo can do no wrong on my eyes. His talent is truly unmatched.

Your Pasta Sucks was such an enjoyable reading experience. It is filled with Matteo's family and personal history, facts about Italy and Italian food, easy to follow recipes, and so so many laughs. I don't generally expect to laugh when reading a cookbook, but this achieved laughs in spades. I would definitely recommend this book for the cooks in your life!

Thanks to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for an eARC of this cookbook for an honest review!

This book was quite fun for this being a cookbook. I already follow Matteos comedy and I felt like his voice was really there in this book. It was really silly and raunchy at times. I don't think every recipe needs 1-2 full pages of description of what it means to him or his family but I see why some people would like that. It's just a good standard Italian family recipes to make good sauce essentially. I would recommend if someone was looking for this sort of thing but I probably wouldn't recommend as a cookbook I loved if that makes sense.

So many great recipes!! While I have a great sauce recipe from my parents for spaghetti, I am excited to try Matteo’s family recipe!! And the Mac and cheese recipe. And mostaccioli. And tiramisu. And just basically all of them! And having just watched some of this season of Love is Blind, I think Matteo should send a copy to Ramses and Nick from the show cause they don’t know how to make pasta!!

I love Matt’s comedy and loved watching reels where he’d talk about cooking and actually showing his pretty impressive knowledge of Italian cuisine. This is a fun book where he talks about his origins, his trips and the recipes are pretty good, too. I can’t wait to make the penne alla vodka!

I'm a terrible cook, so why do I read cookbooks? Because I hope to come across a book like this that not only has great recipes, but explains the process well enough that even I can do it.
But as you can see from the cover, this is so much more than a cookbook. The author had so much personality I wanted to meet him more than I wanted to try the tasty dishes, and I loved his stories about his family.
I feel like I'm going to be better at cooking because of the advice he gives throughout the book. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this gorgeously illustrated cookbook

Your Pasta Sucks: A “Cookbook”
Matteo Lane

My apologies to the author: I’ve never heard of you. I am so glad I am not familiar with your name because it means I am looking at this book with fresh eyes. I have no connection to you in judging the contents of “Your Pasta Sucks.”
After reading this book, I wish I knew you. Your personality shines through in each personal anecdote and story. “Your Pasta Sucks” is so much more than a cookbook; it is humor, hilarious tales. I love the recipes although many are out of my skill level. However, there are a couple I may try.
Kudos to author, comedienne and chef Matteo Lane. I’m glad I’ve met you.

I received an ARC from NetGalley. My reviews are my personal opinions.

I wish I could give you 10 stars!

Matteo Lane’s Your Pasta Sucks is a side-splitting, delicious dive into Italian cuisine, served with a heaping side of wit and heart. Known for his stand-up comedy, Lane brings the same humor to this cookbook, mixing mouthwatering pasta recipes with wildly entertaining stories from his Italian-Irish-Mexican American upbringing. Each recipe is not just a guide to perfect pasta but also a slice of Lane’s life—hilarious tales of family quirks, cultural mix-ups, and his own coming-of-age journey, all seasoned with an unmistakable Italian zest.

I absolutely loved this book! I laughed from cover to cover and felt like I was sitting at the dinner table with Matteo and his family, soaking in every ridiculous, heartwarming story. I can’t wait to cook my way through these recipes, but honestly, even if I never pick up a pot, this book has already nourished me plenty. It’s not just a cookbook; it’s an experience—equal parts memoir, comedy, and culinary magic.

Another reason why I am obsessed with this book is its gorgeous visual design and sometime a sole reason why I buy cookbooks- to revel in the beautiful and well staged photos. The photos in Lane's book greately add to the feel and vibe of the story and its accompanying recipes.

Just delicious...

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishers for the pleasure of reading and cooking this book!

This was an enjoyable book and I loved the stories interwoven. I have followed the author since he started making videos and I was even inspired to make carbonara for the first time. I love how simple a lot of the recipes are with a focus on the ingredients. It was a bit hard to read a cookbook digitally so I look forward to the hardcover so I can see the layout with the photos better

Matteo Lane’s Your Pasta Sucks is a lovely cookbook that seamlessly combines humor, heart, and delicious food. I was charmed by Matteo’s witty storytelling and his warm, relatable anecdotes, his tone really comes through in his cookbook!

As cute as the stories are, the recipes are the real star here. Each one is simple, straightforward, and designed to make you crave pasta in the best way possible. I love how the ingredients are accessible, and easy to adjust based on what you need. Nothing feels overly complicated—just good, honest food that’s both satisfying and achievable for home cooks of any skill level.

Overall, Your Pasta Sucks is a delightful read and a fantastic resource for anyone who loves pasta, family stories, or just cooking with a lot of heart. I can’t wait to try more recipes out of this book!

I was worried this would be heavily ghost written but I was wrong. I could hear Matteo in every word I read. I learned, I laughed, I linguinied, I LOVED!!

Very much enjoyed it. Loved the family stories that accompanied the recipes. And the recipes that I was able to get into the kitchen to try were easy to follow and very delicious. Can't wait to continue trying the rest of these recipes!

Wow, what a breath of fresh air. I loved the storytelling in this cookbook. I also enjoyed the recipes I tried. I am not Italian but I felt this might be what an Italian grandmother would cook. Matteo is fantastic.

Thank you to Chronicle Books and #NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I absolutely love Matteo. He is hilarious. He says in the book he probably shouldn’t write a cook book but I think that he’s the best person to write one. I can’t wait to make these recipes, they all look so good, and I might even get my own pasta maker to make my own homemade pasta. His stories are great as well. I wish I could meet his whole family and spend a weeekend cooking with them. If you love pasta definitely pick up this book I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Great little cookbook! Simple but delicious recipes, I tried a few and can’t wait to make the rest! I loved the layout of the book and the food photography was excellent. Thank you for making Italian cooking accessible!

I LOVE seeing Matteo on my socials and did not realize he had a cookbook coming out and I am 100% here for it!!!!!!

This is filled with his voice, and I read it with his inflections and mannerisms in my head. I’m stoked to try out the Italian recipes and how to cook like an Italian….as told by an Italian Irish Mexican Homosexual

LOL

This book was super cute and made me unbelievably hungry.

The stories of Matteo's family were so adorable and heartwarming, but then the receipes followed those stories and I went from "Awwww" to "Feed me" in about two seconds.

The recipes are very straightforward and easy to follow. Most don't even require a lot of ingredients, though some to require larger quantities of the ingredients which all can be easily halved or quartered.

I really enjoyed this cookbook and the personal stories inside. I will be making the lasagna recipe to see if it rivals my own.

I never thought I’d be calling a cookbook hilarious, but here we are. This cookbook feels like cooking at your grandmother’s house with your siblings/cousins in the best way! The recipes are great, the anecdotes are even better, + I think this is just an overall winner of a book, not just a cookbook.

I genuinely can’t recommend this one enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advance copy!

This book is amazing! An Italian cookbook written by a comedian who jokes that he has no business writing a book. I would have to disagree, sir! Laugh-out-loud funny with recipes I am dying to try. Every recipe has a mouthwatering picture. I wish I had been able to read this book 15 years ago before I studied abroad in Rome! A must read for those with an Italian vacation coming up. I want a copy of this for my shelves! A perfect book to gift!

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC via NetGalley!

I've been a fan of Matteo Lane for a while now, so of course I was interested when I discovered he was coming out with a cookbook.

This cookbook won't give you all the ins and outs and techniques of how to cook, as Matteo isn't a trained professional. What it will offer you is delightful commentary amongst some wonderful Italian based recipes. Growing up in an Italian-American family myself, I relate to much of what Matteo says Italian culture and all the particulars involved in the cuisine.

The recipes are easy to follow along and more importantly delicious. I cook an abundance of elaborate meals myself, but I made my parents the Pasta della Mama and my father asked for seconds. Can't wait until this cookbook hits the shelves!

This was fun and funny, and I really enjoyed it. While I personally won't be making a lot of the recipes, I think this would make a perfect gift for a pasta lover in your life. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for honest review.

Matteo Lane’s Your Pasta Sucks is a rare cookbook that entertains as much as it educates, blending sharp humor, heartfelt anecdotes, and genuinely stellar recipes. This isn’t your typical culinary guide—it’s a chaotic, hilarious celebration of Italian food, culture, and unapologetic sass. Lane’s voice leaps off the page with the same charisma that’s made him a standout comedian, but don’t let his jokes fool you: this book is packed with serious culinary chops.

This book is so Matteo! It’s essentially a recipe (pun intended!) for what brings him joy and highlights what matters most in his life.

The no-fuss recipes are sprinkled with delightful stories about his Italian-American family and his travels to Italy, all delivered in the comedic style his fans know and love. Metric measurements are included which benefits the European readers.

I would’ve loved to see more vegetarian recipes, though I wasn’t really expecting them. :)

Thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the digital review copy!

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Interesting title, might turn some people off. However, I found some good recipes that I would like his family meat sauce. There's also lots of family and personal stories about his journey.

This genre-defying cookbook: part memoir, part cultural heritage commentary is a fun way to think about preparing pasta. And, okay, I'll stop breaking up my spaghetti when adding it to the pot.

This was a great intro cookbook for making simple but good pasta. I love how Goode covers just about every form of pasta and recipe you could really want and the recipes were easy to follow.

Despite saying himself that he has no business writing a cookbook, I felt like this one was really fun. It was part cookbook, part family story, and part comedy. I really like Matteo’s stand up and crowd work, and felt like his voice came through very clearly. I particularly enjoyed the bits about his family, as well as the photographs included. It didn’t necessarily give me new recipes but there were some tips I’ll integrate.

Thank you Chronicle Books and Netgalley for this ARC copy of this cookbook.

I have seen Matteo out and about on social media, and I never fail to laugh at his stand-up videos... please watch the Oprah's Horcruxes video and that alone will convince you to buy this cookbook. That being said, I knew I needed to snag this arc while I could, and it did not disappoint. Not only is it packed with tips and tricks for pasta making--please listen to this book and don't break your pasta to boil it--and delicious recipes, but it also has a sprinkling of comedic relief, so if you get frustrated with a recipe just flip through the cookbook and you'll be laughing through your tears.

Definitely suggest this book whether you have experience cooking or not!

Read if you love:
🍝 Pasta
🎙️ Comedy shows
🥘 Cookbooks
📚 Learning How to Cook

I’ll be honest, youtube isn’t something I watch on my own - my older teens and husband love it, andI appreciate it from that aspect in that people share their talent / creativity / knowledge and share that with viewers. Whether to learn something, to laugh, etc., but I watch it if someone in my family puts it on and I’m sitting by the television. That was my first introduction-ish to Matteo Lane.

When I first saw this cookbook cover and read the author’s name, I checked to make sure it was the same Matteo Lane and upon realizing it was, I decided to read an early copy with my family.

As a New Jersey-shore Italian, I was interested from a family and food standpoint, as a mom and wife, I was also interested because it was written by someone that they all very much like and appreciate. And having read this, I can now say that I like the author as well 🙂

The cookbook is very visually appealing - the layout, and the photos - gorgeous. The stories introducing chapters and recipes are laugh out loud funny - even if you’re not familiar or a fan. The recipes are enticing and the photos accompanying the recipes will likely easily be tempting enough to try your hand at a few or more (I’m not a great cook, my baking yields far better results, but none of the recipes seemed overly difficult, imho). You may also finish reading this book with an intensely strong desire to visit and eat your way though Italy.


Recommended for fans and (non-vegan) pasta lovers alike.



Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the PDF

I first fell in love with Matteo through his comedy online. One day I saw a video he made of his Italian cooking, and he did such a nice job explaining the recipe I felt I could do it just from the video. I only watched it once, and he gave me the confidence to make this. I made it for my husband and I, and we LOVED it. Do yourself a favor and buy this book just for the Cacio e Pepe recipe. That would make this worth it alone. This whole cookbook is just as amazing, and I cannot wait to make every recipe. If you like Italian food and comedy this book is absolutely for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advance copy!

And now I want pasta…
I saw author Matteo’s infamous Alfredo video on social media months (or maybe a year) ago and have enjoyed much of his content since. Matteo is funny. He’s irreverent and isn’t afraid to say the “weird thing” which always makes me laugh. So when I saw that he now had a cook book, I immediately grabbed it to explore. At the ripe old age of 42, I’ve started learning how to actually cook after growing up in a household where black pepper is considered “spicy.”

Thankfully my tastebuds have matured past my mother’s fondness for all things bland, but that had left me lacking in imagination and skill to really cook well. Over the past year, I’ve attained some comfort in the kitchen, and while I am no longer a novice I would never claim expertise. This book is perfect for my skill level. The recipes are authentic and relatively simple with explanation from the nuances of pasta types to basic Italian cooking skills all wrapped up with stories that are completely worth reading. So many cook books add prose to their recipes that fall flat and aren’t worth reading. Matteo, on the other-hand, relates the recipes to peeks into his childhood, historical or anecdotal stories, tales from his trips to Italy, and so much more all written with his unique humor and whit. The pictures feature a stunning cooked dishes or humorous glimpses of real life. His book inspired not only my hunger but also a desire to try some of these. I can’t wait to figure out where I can get fresh pasta and real parmigiano-reggiano. I feel like as an American, we’ve been cheated out of having really good pasta, but I can’t wait to try out some of these recipes.

FANTASTIC!!
"How to Cook Pasta like an Italian, Irish, Mexican Homosexual"
The writing is humorous and relatable, the photos gorgeous, and the recipes look delicious (I haven't tried to make them YET but definitely will). I highly recommend this book.

I love how much personality this cookbook has! I’ve enjoyed Matteo Lane for many years now, so I was super excited to see he made a cookbook. Some recipes are super easy, some are more complex, but many look good. I’m going to try the cacio e Pepe, the tiramasu, and pistachio pesto. Fantastic book if you love pasta or are a beginner cook.

There is nothing i love more than carbohydrates, reading, and laughing. This cookbook is a home chef’s delight! If you need me I will be cooking every recipe in this book, sopping up all the sauce with a fat chunk of bread!!!!

Yummmmmmm!!!!

Thanks Netgalley and Chronicle Books for allowing me to read this early. Now tell me who I need to olive oil up to get a physical copy!!!!

This book is everything. I was not expecting it to be as funny as it was and I was just as interested in reading the stories and background of the dishes and I was in reading the recipes. Usually with cookbooks, there are recipes that I would not even want to try, but every recipe is appealing and true to the Italian culture. A+

This cookbook is a humorous, heartfelt cookbook that combines Italian recipes with Lane’s trademark wit. Lane brings a fresh, comedic perspective to the cookbook world, debunking pasta myths while sharing his Italian-American family traditions. His “no-filter” approach makes for a uniquely entertaining read, one that’s less about perfection and more about enjoying the cooking process.

100/100 or 5.0 stars

This was fantastic. The stories, the recipes, the photography, the humor. All so well done and fun! I haven't cooked anything...yet. The recipes all seem easy to follow and look delicious! I will definitely try some of these dishes in the future!

Tried the cacio e pepe and it was pretty good! The book is full of various recipes that are relatively easy to make and the steps are outlined in a very simple way.

This book is big, honest, fun, and yummy. I feel so inspired to cook more pasta just from reading this book. Thank you for sharing your humor, love, family, history, and so much more.

Let’s be honest: your pasta probably sucks. But fear not, because comedian Matteo Lane is here to teach you how to fix that with 30 delicious recipes, hilarious stories, and his signature sass.

In Your Pasta Sucks, Matteo brings his A-game with recipes that are both full of flavor and hilarious. Whether he’s dishing out his version of Mac and Cheese with his bestie Nick Smith or giving you a rant about the “alfredo” disaster that turns into an incredible Penna alla Vodka, this book is packed with laughs and real Italian kitchen wisdom. Plus, there’s a foolproof homemade pasta recipe that'll have you saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

It’s not your typical cookbook. Matteo isn’t pretending to be a chef—he’s your funny, slightly chaotic friend who knows his pasta and isn’t afraid to mess things up in the best way. Expect tips on how not to mess up your pasta, guides to ordering coffee in Rome, and even a tongue-in-cheek love letter to Italian culture.

If you’re a fan of Matteo’s comedy or just someone who wants to cook pasta like an Italian, Irish, Mexican homosexual (yep, he said it), this book is a must. It’s more than a cookbook—it’s a snarky, hilarious, pasta-filled adventure. Grab it, laugh, and start cooking! 🍝

So much fun and funny and I guess learning a thing or two about cooking didn’t hurt either. I highly recommend. Thanks NetGallery!

This cookbook is amazing! The introduction is hilarious & I love the back stories before each recipe. I’m more of a boxed noodle & can barely cook those type of gal but reading this makes me want to make ALL the recipes!
I need to get my hands on a physical copy, that way I can be like aunt Cindy or Kate & show up with yummy food (that my husband makes 🫣😉) to all the family dinners!

Thank you NetGalley for giving me a chance to ARC read this amazing cook book!

This book is like being in Matteo's kitchen with him. We get some of his family history. Chapter 1 contains family recipes. None of them are difficult. And you may already have all the ingredients in your house already.

The the following chapters are regional. Like recipes from Rome, Sicily and the South, and some recipes from the author's "Found Family.

The book is filled with gorgeous photos and all the recipes are easy. His recipes read like he's in the kitchen standing next to you, instructing you on how to make this recipe. It's a great book, containing a lot of recipes that you already want to try.

I've followed Matteo Lane for a while, mostly because a lot of his content is strikingly relatable (Irish and Sicilian descent, grew up on a lot of pasta and potatoes, 2/3 of siblings gay, etc.), so I was very excited at the announcement of his self-proclaimed "cookbook" with hilarious title. When the first chapter boldly states " How to Cook Pasta like an Italian, Irish, Mexican Homosexual" I knew I was in for a treat. I loved the inclusion of How to Ruin Pasta, because so many books focus on what you should be looking for and not what you should be avoiding. Maybe that's my learning style, but I find that more helpful than a big list of just what to do.

Is it weird to feel a little relieved, like I passed a test, when my own Pasta Pantry and recipes lined up with his? I'm lucky to have an Italian Specialties Shop and Deli near me, so I'll have an easy time stocking up on his other suggestions, but he also keeps it general enough that anyone can pick this up, hit your local store, and have a decent pasta pantry to make better pasta. The book is informative, it's familial and historical context of both famous and controversial dishes, but most importantly, it's fun!

"I think Italian women and witches shop at the same stores" is my favorite quotes and I need it somewhere in my kitchen ASAP. It's beautifully designed, which matters to me when I'm going to be flipping through a book on my counter. I received the book as an ARC, but I need this fun, witty commentary on my shelf for all time. I will be buying a physical copy as soon as it is out.

Love Matteo Lane's comedy and this book was a fun, quick read. So wish he'd do a show in my neck of the woods!! If you like food and laughing, you'll be entertained!!

Absolutely perfect. As an Italian American from New Jersey, I approve of everything here, from the recipes to the tips to the humor. This is super accessible and considering the primary goal seems to be to get people to realize how simple it is to make good food, Your Pasta Sucks is a complete success.

This is a must read if you love Matteo Lane. This “cookbook” is so fun. I have tried a few recipes so far and they’ve been a hit.

A good cookbook that you can tell was written by a comedian. This is no dig, these are great recipes and the food is the center point of the book, but the writing is also very entertaining. I don't typically read any part of a cookbook besides the recipes but I found myself laughing along to the antics of a Matteo's family.

Comedian Matteo Lane has loads of followers to his stand-up engagements on YouTube. (That’s how I discovered him.) But Lane is very serious about his cooking. I could not resist his recipes or his snarky attitude, which we get not only from the title, but also from Lane’s description of the cookbook as a guide to “how to cook pasta like an Italian, Irish, Mexican homosexual.” (Lane’s no slacker; he’s fluent in Italian, Spanish and French, and he’s not bad in German, either.)

Those who know Lane won’t be surprised at how funny this cookbook is, nor will they be surprised at how delicious his recipes for pasta (the cookbook contains nearly exclusively pasta dishes). Lane’s pretty particular about his recipes, so he blasts substituting bacon for pancetta or guanciale, cooking with pasta that’s not bronze cut, using shredded mozzarella from the grocery store and buying Parmesan not made in Italy, much less “the sawdust in the green cans at the grocery store.” See why I adore Matteo? I couldn’t believe the difference bronze-cut pasta makes! I now follow most of Lane’s advice. Not that I’m giving up on using the much cheaper bacon instead of pricy pancetta. (Matteo, I hope you can forgive me, although you probably can’t.) I loved it!

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Chronicle Books in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly I had no idea who this guy was? I very much enjoy Italian food and humor and this surely delivered on both. The pictures are very inviting and the recipes seem like a novice cook like myself can make them. I can’t wait to try out some of these delicious recipes especially the Family Meat Sauce.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy of Your Pasta Sucks.

I stumbled upon the hilarity of Matteo on Instagram reels…. Laughing at his comedy then falling into his cooking tutorials. But let’s be honest I had to watch them 30 times to figure out what to get and roughly how much… but I’m Italian so.
This book thank goodness comes with proper measurements, and when I say that I didn’t make it 4 recipes without trying one ok two…. But come on Matteo put the arugula with the Colleta! My whole family has been so happy with everything their Italian mama has made.
The family story’s will keep you laughing and entertained while you plan out your next meals and google when Matteo is coming to town so you can beg him for his Aunts Sauce recipe and ask where Kate is!

This was such a fun read. Not only was it fun, it was funny! I was already loving it from the cover and the beautiful and colorful photography early on.

I see myself utilizing this book for specific recipes I want to try mainly because of the way the recipe instructions are written. It’s more of a story format and less of an easily followed step-by-step outline. Although I appreciate the tidbits of knowledge you learn from this format like why certain steps are needed etc. For that reason I’m not sure if this would be my go to place for certain recipes that I might be able to find a similar version online. However, I definitely learned about of lot of new dishes and some that remind me of my family recipes I’d like to make.

Loved learning about the history and quirks of each recipe. I felt like this book gave a lot more than your typical cookbook. I am a bit familiar with Matteo’s online presence and it was great to learn more about him.

I love that this was a book not just about Italian food but about Italian culture, Italian-American culture, and food culture in Italy in general. The rules section pages were great. Very entertaining and informative especially for traveling to immerse in and embrace the culture.

Favorite quote: “Authenticity isn’t about how they do it in Italy versus America. Instead, it’s like this: Unless your grandma made the dish, then it’s wrong wrong wrong” so good!

This book was so much fun! It was funny, the recipes were good and I want to try a bunch of them, and it’s just all around a good time. I didn’t know much about Matteo Lane before this, but I have definitely looked up more of his work on YouTube and love his comedy style. I think I would read a shopping list by him, and a cookbook is amazing!

Oh my gosh I cannot wait to buy this book in paperback. It is so delightful! The recipes look amazing. The photos are gorgeous. But the heart of this book, the stories, the humor, just makes it so unbelievable special. This book was so fun to read - a cookbook! I just adored every moment of it. Highly recommend.

I love this cookbook! It's entertaining, hilarious, gives great general cooking tips that have already been a game-changer in the kitchen, and has wonderful recipes. So far, we've tried the penne alla vodka and the salad, and both recipes were a big hit with my family. I'm looking forward to cooking my way through the whole book! I don't usually spend much time reading the non-recipe parts of cookbooks, but they were some of my favorite parts! Highly recommend!

This is a fun cookbook! I have to admit, while I love to read, I do not typically sit down and "read" a cookbook. I did with this one, though! I learned something one the very first page (how to store basil!). I learned right away that I was doing 4 of the 5 things to ruin pasta (I do NOT use a knife on pasta! Seriously! Who does that?!). Anyway, a fun read, with 2 recipes that we already love! And that's impressive with 4 picky kids! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I am in love with all things Matteo Lane!

Matteo is witty and charming but also blunt and honest.
This book all of that and then some.
I can totally hear him in my head speaking every word.

When I found out he was writing a cookbook, I immediately checked to see if an ARC was available and I’m so glad it was!
I can’t wait to buy this cookbook when it is released so I can have a copy for myself.

I may never cook anything from this but I will definitely think about it (I probably won’t because that’s my anxiety throwing itself in front of everything).

5/5 stars. It did not disappoint!

This #ARC was provided by #NetGalley and #ChronicleBooks. The opinions and views expressed are my own.
#YourPastaSucks

I love the quintessential italian american stories that were implemented but also how he implemented his stories from living abroad and how italians order coffee and different lifestyle choices. as a partial italian american myself, it was funny to laugh at the stories with my mom and reminisce about some recipes. i also liked it because i don’t have every recipe my grandma used to make and now that she’s gone i want to make some dishes and now i can!

Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

LOVE this book. The imagery and aesthetic is beautiful. The recipes sound delicious. And the personality and antidotes from the author are authentic and fun. Need to get my hands on a physical copy of this book. Yes please.

This was such a fun read and a great collection of recipes. On the cooking side there was a great range of really approachable dishes as well as some that might be a stretch for an average home cook but still well within reach. I very much look forward to trying some in my own home soon.

On the autobiography side, the shared stories and anecdotes drew you into a vibrant and interesting life and made me laugh. I would absolutely read a memoir that covered some of the same points and expounded on others and shared new stories. I thought this was well done and well laid out, the images were gorgeous and I look forward to checking out his stand-up as well.

I had to pick this one up bc, duh, Matteo Lane.

This is a KILLLLLLER coffee table book, for one. Two, it truly does double as a cook book.

Matteo Lane is hilarious and didn't disappoint here. Who wouldn't want to learn “how to cook pasta like an Italian, Irish, Mexican homosexual"?

{Thank you bunches to Matteo Lane, JJ Goode, NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the DRC in exchange for my honest review!}

This was amusing, and I loved that he included recipes from his blood family and his found family. I loved the full-color photos and teh instructions are easy to follow. The best part though? For the first time., I wasn't yelled at to make my own pasta. I was encouraged but not judged if I needed to used dried.

I love reading cookbooks by comedians! Every page is filled with Matteo's life and humor. Matteo is true to himself and shows you a little piece of who he is as a person as well as the foods that have been passed down through generations.

This book brings a great home feeling. The recipes scream comfort and cozy Italian. I will definitely be making multiple dishes from this book.

Pasta recipes with Matteo’s wit. And a sprinkle of Nick? Sign me the f**k up. This was informative and funny af

Such a fun take on a cookbook, with really accessible recipes and hilarious hot takes! I loved all the photography and inclusion of so many memories from Rome

I'm not sure what I was expecting from a cook book, but I've seen Matteo's comedy around the internet and not only is this book hilarious but the recipes look incredible! I'm super excited to test out these meals but also I've never really laughed so much while reading a cook book! Highly recommend.

I could tell by the cover I was going to love this book and I'm really thankful for the opportunity to preview it. I haven't made any of the recipes yet but simply reading the book was time well spent. The photography throughout is stunning. The stories are relatable and hilarious. I love that each recipe begins with a story and not a short blurb like most cookbooks. Reading this book felt like spending time with an opinionated gay friend telling you exactly how it is, and then enjoying some delicious food after.

In Your Pasta Sucks, Matteo Lane, famous comedian has written a beautiful book to assist readers in cooking pasta and making other Italian dishes. He explained his relationship with pasta and how it’s been his best relationship. It’s always available in your kitchen and it won’t lie or ghost you. In the book, he shared how he loves to laugh and make jokes. He takes his pasta making very seriously though. He shared how he ate pasta at least three times a week growing up and his love has only deepened with time. He touched on his grandfather and how he had a secret family and he gave his other kids the same name where he wouldn’t accidently mess up. In the book, he enclosed key helpful items to keep on hand at all times. These are basil, cheese of all kinds, guanciale, pancetta, olive oil, salt, just to name a few. He also enlightened how to make pasta water and how this is key to salty water and makes the dish taste even better. He explored how to buy pasta, and the different shapes, and how to cook pasta. Some of the recipes in this book was: lasagna, Kate’s meatballs, penne alla vodka, two mac and cheeses, Cherie’s struffoli, fettuccine alfredo, and countless others.


I would recommend this book to anyone who is seeking a new good Italian book. I really enjoyed the color pictures of the food and his personal photos throughout the book. I also thought it was cool that he added a personal story before a lot of the recipes and it helped readers to get a glimpse into his family. I liked how he did the measurements in grams and cups, lbs, and other standard measures. This is a beautiful cookbook with high quality photos that readers will enjoy.






“I received this book free from the Chronicle Book for my honest review.”

I enjoyed this cookbook! It seems like a great source for elevated pasta recipes that draw on flavors of different parts of Italy. There are a few that I am excited to try. I really like the pictures and stories included in the book. I am a vegetarian and there were quite a few meat dishes, but there is still enough that I can eat and enjoy.

It is no surprise that Matteo Lane has written a funny book... I am just surprised that there is just so much humor in pasta. The voice is strong, the advice for cooking high quality dishes is stronger.

I am really enjoying the cooking tips and the recipes in this book.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing an advance review copy of this book to be published on April 1st 2025

This is my first book review. I love reading cookbooks. I have over 300 from around the world. I chose this book because for the last 3 years I lived near Livorno, Italy. I traveled in the north and south parts of Italy. I was working with 15-20 Italians. So I felt somewhat qualified to review the book. Since I read a lot of cookbooks I notice certain differences in the writing. This cookbook was above and beyond all others. The book read like a family history cooking lesson. I was told by my Italian NONNA that 95% of all Italian recipes have less than 5 ingredients. But the most important part of the dish are the ingredients. How fresh and how they were prepared before going into the dish. This cookbook points out freshness and quality of the food and the importance of using the right pasta for the right sauce. Highly recommended.

Beautiful food photography, delicious recipes. Can’t wait to make them all! Can’t go wrong with a an entire book of pasta and cute gay men, ha ha

Not only are all the selected dishes here seem quite easy enough for any home cook (not to mention all quite tasty-looking), but I also quickly grew to love the humor and fine wit that Matteo Lane packs into the pages. This honestly might be the first cookbook ever where I think that I actually ended up looking forward more to the recipe introductions than the recipes themselves!

I adore this book. It's pretty rare that a cookbook will both make me bust out laughing and wow me with delicious recipes. I can't wait to buy a physical copy and work my way through it.

I'm a big fan of pasta and own quite a few pasta cookbooks, but this one is a stand out in that the recipes feel so lived in and the anecdotes accompanying each of them give them excellent context. I have made Pasta della Mamma three times already and quite honestly it might be the best pantry pasta recipe that I have ever tasted. It will be one I return to for the rest of my life.

I'm so excited to dig into the rest of the recipes and have no doubt that they will be just as delicious!

So fun. Part cookbook, part comedy routine. If you follow Matteo on social media, you'll be familiar with some of the stories and a lot of the characters (including a section with Nick which is the best part).... and if you don't follow him on socials, why not?!?! Get to it! More than just entertaining, Matteo makes it out like cooking good pasta actually isn't that hard and while the recipes have a lot of repetition, I now know some great tips that I will never forget. I can definitely see myself buying this book as a gift for friends next holiday season.

I’ve never gotten so much joy out of a book whose title is insulting me.
Matteo Lane, known more as a comedian, is fantastic at blending stories of family and travel through Italy with the recipes that will make you wish you’re reading this with a gigantic bowl of pasta. You will keep yourself laughing!

I don't review a lot of cookbooks, I use a lot of cookbooks though, and let me tell you right now this isn't your average cookbook. I enjoy Matteo Lane's comedy, I don't know much more about him other than he is funny and I laugh when I see his performances. Of course, he would make a cookbook that would be filled with his sense of humor. I enjoyed his descriptions of cheeses...which is a weird thing to say and how he ties in all of his family's recipes to a story or memory. I love how even the recipes aren't your typical recipes, my favorite bit was when he described how his sister hangs her cheesecloth on the faucet like a hobo bag for making ricotta. Which is directly in the recipe. Then we have the addition of his "found family" and some of their recipes including simple mac and cheese using a box of mac and cheese. I think this is the perfect amount of sentiment, humor, stories, and recipes to make a cookbook enjoyable and entertaining beyond the kitchen.

My initial reaction upon opening the book and looking at the index was that there were not enough recipes to justify purchasing this if I were looking at it in a store, but I liked it so much by the end that I didn't even care.

I appreciated the humor and the characterizations of the author’s family and friends laid throughout the book. The line of family tied to each story in the first section was great, and provides some authenticity - it feels like I would trust the recipes because of that.

After the first section, I was expecting the next to be highly personal as well - and it felt less so for the first few recipes. More generic about Rome rather than tied to any personal stories. Though that improved as the section went on, and felt personal again when talking about Southern Italy and friends.

There were points where I literally laughed out loud - like at the start of the lasagna recipe where he characterized Barefoot Contessa as unrelatable.

Also, the pictures are amazing. I wanted to eat absolutely everything in this book.

Your Pasta Sucks is a fun cookbook by comedian Matteo Lane founded on his love of pasta. It is a collection of classic Italian recipes prominent in his life and upbringing, interspersed with jokes and fun anecdotes.

Thank you NetGalley and Chronicle Books. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.


This was a really fun read, and I love a good cookbook that doesn't take itself too seriously. The snarky humor had me chuckling the whole time.The photos are great too!

The instructions were very easy to follow, and the ingredients needed are simple and easy to find for most of the recipes. I like that the recipes only need a handful of ingredients to make.

I think this would be a great beginner friendly book to get for a new cook!

I love watching the YouTube videos of Matteo Lane and his "friend" Nick Smith, cook. This cookbook has delicious-looking pictures, funny family stories, and great recipes.

Pasta always has my heart, and there are some delicious looking recipes included in this cook book. I'm so excited to hit the stores and buy all the ingredients!

I expected nothing less from Matteo’s book. I just recently visited Italy for the first time and so I was very excited to get Matteo’s take on Italian food and cooking. It did not disappoint! There were hilarious family stories sprinkled thoughout the book that were so fun along with traditional Italian recipes I already know I’m going to love. This was an advance copy provided by NetGalley and Chronicle books (but I’m still buying my own once this hits the shelves because I loved it so much).

The file won’t open for me on the NetGalley app and I keep getting errors. Sad it wasn’t a file I could read!

Thanks NetGalley for an ARC. Can’t wait to make some of these recipes. I love the food in Italy and the dishes remind me of my visits.

I picked up this book because the cover and title immediately piqued my curiosity, and it turned out to be the perfect blend of cooking, humor, and memoir. As someone who loves browsing through cookbook pictures, I was thrilled to find this one didn’t disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have already tried several recipes, all of which have been a hit with my family. I loved it so much that I’ve pre-ordered a copy for both my sister and myself!