One of the best ways to get schooled in Italian [1] cooking (or cooking in general) is by watching Giada De Laurentiis [2]. If you're a longtime fan, you've likely tried some of Giada's best recipes [3] and picked up on some pro tips from the Rome-born guru (including the right way to prounce "spaghetti"). It's no surprise that the cookbook author and TV host has tricks up her sleeve to make pasta [4], waffles [5], and chicken parmesan even better. Keep reading for 20 secrets we've picked up on from Giada herself, and then check out even more cooking tips [6] that'll upgrade your skillset.
Related:
- 12 Things You Don't Know About Giada De Laurentiis [7]
- 9 of Giada De Laurentiis's Most Irresistible Recipes [8]
- The Easy 4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese Cupcakes Giada De Laurentiis Swears By [9]
- The Story You Haven't Heard About Giada De Laurentiis's Rise to Fame [10]
- How Giada De Laurentiis Makes Us All Feel Good [11]
Top your morning oatmeal with olive oil.
Use pancetta instead of bacon for an even better BLT.
Dry lemon slices and add to tea, recipes, and more for a pretty touch.
Get Giada's recipe: dried lemons [12]
Make chocolate-covered potato chips for an unexpected sweet and salty dessert.
Get the recipe: Giada's chocolate-covered potato chips [13]
Instead of maple syrup, pour bechamel on your waffle.
To give homemade pasta a fun red color, add beet juice.
For actual "pop" tarts, add Pop Rocks to chocolate tarts.
Get the recipe: Giada's raspberry-cherry chocolate poppers [14]
Always make sure you add enough salt.
In our 2011 interview with Giada about cooking tips [15], that was her biggest tip.
Cook your stuffing outside of the turkey.
The key to nonboring casseroles? Color and texture.
Get the recipe: Giada's creamy, dreamy casserole [16]
For a sweet and savory waffle, top with unsweetened whipped cream AND cheddar cheese.
Don't top your chicken parmesan with cheese — stuff it with it.
To create a unique layer cake, stack PANcakes!
Get the recipe: Giada's chocolate candy-cane tower [17]
The most important thing when cooking? Taste, taste, and taste again.
Use short ribs in lasagna instead of ground beef.
The easiest way to melt chocolate isn't in the microwave; it's with a makeshift double boiler.
Turn pot roast leftovers into an Italian muffuletta sandwich.
Instead of eating a lot of one thing . . . eat a little of everything.
Have pizza for dessert by topping dough with Nutella.
Spatchcock (split open) your turkey or chicken before roasting or grilling it.
Get the recipe: Giada's crispy truffled turkey [18]
Add depth of flavor to chicken wings with tequila.
Get the recipe: Giada's tequila-lime wings [19]