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The ultimate guide to Jamie Oliver’s cookbooks

by Rachel Deeley

published on 18 September 2024

Whether you have been a fan since the Naked Chef days, or have only just discovered his simple yet delicious recipes, it’s safe to say that TV chef, health campaigner and bestselling cookbook author Jamie Oliver has changed the way the nation cooks. And, with 25 years of broadcasting and publishing to his name, there are plenty of brilliant Jamie cookbooks and recipes to explore.

Read on for our essential guide to some of Jamie’s best books, covering everything from Italian classics, to five-ingredient dinners – plus his latest release, Simply Jamie.

Simply Jamie cookbook

Simply Jamie

Published 25 years on from The Naked Chef, this cookbook is all about getting back to basics, back in the kitchen, and reigniting a love of cooking. Inside you’ll find chapters covering Midweek Meals (including seven no-cook pasta sauces and eight ways to cook salmon), Weekend Wins, Trusty Traybakes, Cupboard Love (for when you need your store-cupboard staples to be the hero of the dish), and Perfect Puds.

5 Ingredients Quick & Easy Food

Over 130 recipes, each using just five easy-to-find ingredients: it doesn’t get much simpler than this. Jamie’s 2017 cookbook took the nation by storm with its easy yet flavourful meal ideas. With recipes ranging from Fish Pie to Plumb Tarte Tatin, 5 Ingredients has all the meal inspiration you need.

One

Save on time and washing up with over 100 recipes you can cook in just one pot. With recipes including Juicy Tahini Chicken, Hassleback Aubergine Pie, and Squodgy Croissant Loaf (plus an entire dedicated section on cooking pasta in a single frying pan), One is the ultimate addition to any busy home cook’s bookshelf.

5 Ingredients Mediterranean

Inspired by the fresh, bold flavours of the Med, this cookbook sees Jamie revisit the beloved five-ingredient formula to create a whole new array of easy dinners, snacks, and desserts that the whole family will love.

Jamie Cooks Italy

Jamie’s cooking has long been influenced by the cuisine of Italy, and this cookbook is an essential culinary tour through the country, with recipes covering everything from mastering the classics like Carbonara, to undiscovered gems inspired by Italian home-cooks, like Grilled Squid Salad.

Together

Nothing brings people together quite like a good meal, and this cookbook will have you prepared with all the inspiration you could possibly need for your next gathering. From al-fresco summer dinners, to boozy brunches, to cosy wintery suppers, discover 18 different menu ideas for every occasion and season.

Veg: Easy & Delicious Meals for Everyone

Whether you’re vegetarian, flexitarian, or simply looking to reduce your meat intake, Veg is the ultimate guide to incorporating more vegetables into your diet. Mushroom Stroganoff, Sticky Onion Tart, Greens Mac’n’Cheese are just some of the delicious, veg-packed recipes you’ll find inside.

Jamie Oliver: 7 Ways

Maximise your weekly shop with 120 recipes that will help you use staple ingredients in multiple recipes. From mince to mushrooms, Jamie looks at 18 of the nation’s favourite shopping-basket items and shows seven clever ways to use them – all with minimal ingredients, minimal fuss, and maximum flavour.

The Naked Chef

Jamie Oliver’s debut cookbook takes us back to the place where it all began. Then working at the River Café, the young chef wanted to strip back the fundamentals of restaurant cooking to get people excited about cooking from the comfort of their own kitchens – and thus The Naked Chef was born. 25 years on, the recipes in this book have stood the test of time and prove just as inventive and flavourful as when they were first introduced.

Jamie’s 15-Minute Meals

Beat the urge to order a takeaway with these brilliant recipes that come together in just 15 minutes. From Chicken Tikka with Lentil, Spinach and Naan Salad, to Mexican Tomato Soup with Chilli Nachos, these fuss-free recipes will have you whipping up tasty dinners in no time.

Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Cookbook

Who better to trust with the stress of Christmas cooking than Jamie himself? Featuring classic recipes, veggie alternatives, clever leftovers ideas, edible gifts, and Christmas cocktails, this cookbook is a must-have for anyone hosting the holidays, packed with go-to recipes for the festive period and beyond.

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