14 Giada De Laurentiis Cooking Tips You Should Know By Heart

Add parmesan to your pasta sauce

Looking to serve dinner without spending all day on a homemade sauce? Opting for store-bought sauce can save you time while still delivering great taste. Giada De Laurentiis suggests using parmesan cheese, a key ingredient in Italian cooking, to enhance the flavor of any sauce. She highlighted this tip as an excellent way to elevate one of her favorite dishes to prepare—pasta.

You can sprinkle grated parmesan over your pasta, but make sure to mix it in well while the pasta is still warm to achieve a deliciously gooey, melted texture. Adding a rind of parmesan cheese to store-bought pasta sauce can transform this quick option into something truly special, and it's one of De Laurentiis' favorite methods for enhancing sauces. The rind contributes a salty, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with pasta. If you prefer not to deal with removing the rind at mealtime, you can use chunks of parmesan cheese instead, which will provide the same flavor and texture while melting seamlessly into the sauce.

Use salty water for pasta

In a video from her vacation, Giada De Laurentiis collected actual seawater to use for cooking pasta, mixing it with fresh water to achieve the ideal salinity. Since ocean water is too salty on its own, diluting it with fresh water is crucial for the perfect pasta flavor. It's also important to be aware of the water quality in your area, as some sources may contain pollutants and be unsafe for use.

If you’d rather not gather seawater or don’t have access to pristine ocean water, you can easily replicate this method at home by adding a generous amount of salt to your cooking pot. Salting the water when preparing pasta is vital, as it enhances flavor and interacts with the pasta's starches. A good guideline is to use one teaspoon of salt for every four cups of water, though individual tastes may vary. Start with a smaller amount and gradually add more until you reach your desired flavor.

Keep your pantry stocked

As a talented Italian chef, it's no surprise that Giada De Laurentiis places great importance on having the right ingredients readily available. Understanding the types of dishes you enjoy preparing and the essential ingredients you might need is a great starting point. If Italian cuisine is your passion, De Laurentiis' list could be just what you need to ensure you never run out of key items when it's time to prepare pasta for dinner or a breakfast tart.

Her pantry essentials include a variety of basic ingredients like pasta and rice, as well as some unique items, such as chili paste for added flavor. Many of the recipes featured on her cooking shows and in her cookbooks focus on pasta, but other Italian staples like extra virgin olive oil and olives also appear on her must-have list. She has her preferred brands for certain items, such as the sweet and delightful Piedmont white fig jam, while for others, she emphasizes the importance of sourcing the best quality or freshest options available in your area.

Opt for great olive oil

Whether you're cooking or dipping, selecting the right olive oil is essential for enhancing flavor. Giada De Laurentiis incorporates olive oil into a wide range of recipes in her cookbooks and showcases it on her cooking shows and public appearances. As one of the most recognized Italian-American chefs, many people turn to De Laurentiis for her olive oil recommendations, and she certainly delivers.

Her preferred choice for cooking is Lucini extra virgin olive oil, which is light yet flavorful and can withstand some heat. Regular olive oil has a slightly higher smoke point than its extra virgin counterpart, making it a great option for cooking as well. When it comes to dipping bread, vegetables, or other snacks, De Laurentiis favors Paesano unfiltered extra virgin olive oil, which offers a bolder and more robust flavor. Regardless of your personal taste, the Italian chef emphasizes that choosing the right olive oil to suit your palate and intended use is crucial for maximizing the potential of this versatile ingredient.

Switch out your dish for a pan

It’s no surprise that Giada De Laurentiis has a wealth of tips and tricks for creating mouthwatering Italian dishes like lasagna. While she honors traditional cooking methods and ingredients, she also enjoys experimenting in the kitchen. One of her recommendations is to use a sheet pan to prepare lasagna, resulting in crispy, cheesy edges and a gooey, melted top. This method simplifies the process, allowing you to enjoy all the beloved flavors without the hassle of layering or complicated assembly.

By combining all the classic lasagna components—such as seasoned ricotta, Italian sausage, and rich tomato sauce—with a single layer of noodles in a sheet pan, the dish spreads out more evenly. This approach yields more edges and a thinner layer, reducing prep time while enhancing flavor. De Laurentiis likens it to lasagna nachos, offering a delightful twist on this classic Italian favorite.

Eager to try making sheet pan lasagna at home? Grab a set of sheet pans, and you’ll be savoring lasagna nachos in no time!

Grill tomatoes

Looking to elevate bland tomatoes or enhance already great ones? Giada De Laurentiis suggests grilling this summer staple to amplify their sweetness. It's crucial to preheat the grill thoroughly before adding the tomatoes to achieve the ideal char on the outside. If you slice them into thick pieces, as De Laurentiis recommends, they only need a few seconds on each side before they begin to shrink and soften. This process not only intensifies their sweetness but also imparts a delightful smoky flavor from the grill. If you have hickory chips on hand, you can experiment with even more flavor. You can achieve similar results indoors by using a 400°F oven, but be cautious not to leave them in too long, or they may become overly soft.

Grilled tomatoes are a fantastic addition to salads or pair beautifully with mozzarella and basil in a caprese dish. You can also use the charred slices on hamburgers or blend them into a delicious tomato sauce.

Choose dual-purpose dishes

One of the main challenges for busy home cooks is the time required to prepare a meal from scratch, along with the numerous dishes that pile up afterward. Fortunately, you can savor a delightful dish like lasagna even on hectic weeknights, thanks to Giada De Laurentiis' clever tips. Start by using a high-quality Dutch oven or a similar pot to make the sauce, then layer in noodles, ricotta filling, and meat, baking the lasagna all in the same dish. This method yields a delicious lasagna with minimal cleanup. A Dutch oven is particularly effective because it transitions seamlessly from stovetop to oven faster than you can say "buon appetito."

You can apply the same approach to your favorite one-dish meals, allowing you to prepare ingredients and assemble the final dish all in one pot, pan, or bowl. For instance, one-pan chicken fajitas can be ready in just 15 minutes, while pepperoni and mushroom pizza pasta combines ingredients that De Laurentiis loves to create a flavorful casserole.

Throw in a pinch of cinnamon to carbonara

Carbonara is a rich and delectable pasta dish that features an egg-based sauce paired with savory bacon or pancetta. While it’s a classic in its own right, you can elevate this already delicious dish with some additional flavors, thanks to Giada De Laurentiis' expertise. The sweet and aromatic essence of cinnamon can be a delightful enhancement to carbonara, introducing an unexpected twist.

De Laurentiis suggests that cinnamon blends beautifully with the bacon or pancetta when added directly to the pan. Simply sprinkle in a pinch once the meat is sizzling, allowing it to meld for a few minutes before proceeding to the next step. The warmth of cinnamon complements the creamy texture of carbonara, but be sure to use it sparingly to avoid overshadowing the other flavors. Adding it to the rendered fat after the meat has cooked will further amplify its aromatic and warm qualities.

Enjoy fresh cucumbers

Fresh fruits and vegetables epitomize summer, providing crisp ingredients that are both invigorating and nutritious. Giada De Laurentiis puts her own spin on cucumber salad by incorporating chili paste and colatura, an anchovy sauce. She prepares this salad in a jar, making the most of garden-fresh produce while infusing it with distinctive Italian flavors. Feel free to add other fresh vegetables to cater to your personal preferences.

This recipe draws inspiration from a recent social media trend that featured cucumber salads presented in jars, making them convenient snacks and lunches for those on the go. Joining the trend, De Laurentiis added lemon juice, salt, oregano, and olive oil, alongside the savory, umami-rich colatura and zesty chili paste. This combination of flavors enhanced the mild cucumbers, which provided a delightful crunch as the foundation for the salad's texture. Colatura is a staple in her cooking, often serving as a substitute for anchovies.

Get seasoned breadcrumbs

Giada De Laurentiis is not one to hesitate in using store-bought ingredients to save time while still delivering on flavor. She utilizes seasoned breadcrumbs as a clever trick when preparing chicken tenders. This simple shortcut enhances the flavor and adds richness without requiring additional effort, a tactic that De Laurentiis wholeheartedly embraces, making her cooking style highly approachable. In her take on chicken tenders, the crispy dish is baked instead of fried, reducing both preparation and cleanup time. She also opts for buttermilk in place of egg wash to help the coating stick to the meat and ensure the chicken remains tender before cooking.

You can apply this tip to any recipe that requires breadcrumbs to infuse extra flavor. It’s an excellent trick for chicken parmesan, which shares many of the same tastes. Additionally, you can take advantage of De Laurentiis' time-saving preparation methods for the same dish, choosing to bake your chicken instead of dealing with messy frying oil.

Marinate ahead of time for chicken parmesan

If you prefer to forgo breadcrumbs entirely in your chicken parmesan recipe, consider marinating the chicken instead. This technique, suggested by Giada De Laurentiis, reduces the crispiness while enhancing the flavor through a marinade rich in dried oregano. The olive oil-based marinade allows the oregano and salt to infuse the chicken before it’s cooked. As with many of her dishes, De Laurentiis emphasizes the importance of using high-quality spices, such as Tuscan salt and Sicilian oregano. With so few ingredients in the marinade, selecting the finest quality is crucial for achieving great taste. Additionally, pan-searing the chicken contributes extra flavor and a crispy texture, reminiscent of a breadcrumb coating.

This approach also provides an exciting opportunity to explore new flavors. While the combination of olive oil, oregano, and salt delivers the traditional Italian essence found in chicken parmesan, you can spice things up by adding red chili flakes for a kick or garlic for added depth. For the richest flavors, allow the chicken to marinate for up to a day before cooking.

Boost flavor of beans with molasses

Delicious baked beans are a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors, featuring a smooth texture enhanced by additions like pork, bacon, or even hot dogs. However, this classic barbecue dish can become a bit monotonous if you don’t refresh your recipe occasionally. Giada De Laurentiis incorporates molasses into her baked beans to elevate the flavor, and we’re absolutely loving this sweet twist. You can stick to a traditional recipe and simply add molasses along with your other ingredients, starting with just a teaspoon at a time.

Molasses enhances baked beans in several notable ways, particularly in terms of flavor and consistency. The sweetness of molasses complements the robust taste of cannellini beans, along with ingredients like tomato sauce and brown sugar. Additionally, molasses contributes to thickening the dish, ensuring that the baked beans cling to your plate and provide a satisfying experience.

Mix mascarpone into mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes may be one of the most straightforward side dishes, yet they are cherished for their comforting flavor and smooth consistency. Giada De Laurentiis enhances her traditional mashed potatoes by incorporating creamy mascarpone cheese, adding an extra layer of taste and texture. This same ingredient is also a key component in the famous Italian dessert tiramisu, known for its indulgence. She uses just a modest amount—about 1 cup for a recipe that calls for 4 pounds of potatoes. Additionally, De Laurentiis includes generous amounts of butter, chicken broth, garlic, and parmesan. Her approach to mashed potatoes is truly opulent, featuring rich, creamy elements that elevate this dish to something unforgettable.

While there are other variations that include similar ingredients like cream cheese or crème fraîche, these alternatives offer a slightly different flavor and texture compared to De Laurentiis' version. Feel free to experiment with the amount of mascarpone to achieve that ultra-rich texture and taste without going overboard.

Tuck bananas into your ice cream

Even store-bought ice cream sandwiches can be elevated with this simple trick that introduces a delightful twist to a beloved dessert. Giada De Laurentiis slices bananas and freezes them, then incorporates these slices into the sandwiches for an extra flavor boost. The texture of the frozen banana complements the ice cream beautifully and can even be blended into a similar treat on its own. When included in an ice cream sandwich, it allows you to savor all the deliciousness of a banana split in a fun, portable form.

Creating ice cream sandwiches from scratch gives you the freedom to personalize your ice cream flavors and mix-ins like fruit. De Laurentiis opts for cookies as the outer layer of the sandwich, adding bananas and toffee inside before freezing them. Once they’re set, she scoops ice cream and places it between two cookies. Naturally, enhancing store-bought sandwiches is a quick and tasty hack that doesn’t compromise on flavor.