Simply Nigella
by Nigella Lawson
I’ve long admired Nigella Lawson, from her iconic television presence to the way she speaks about food with both reverence and delight. But Simply Nigella was the first of her cookbooks to actually land in my kitchen.
With its minimalist title and promises of ease and comfort, Simply Nigella sets a clear tone. And in many ways, she delivers: the food is unfussy, approachable, and genuinely doable even on the busiest days. However, I found that some aspects, from the volume of text to a reliance on intuition, can unintentionally lean more toward complexity than simplicity.
The Look, the Feel, the Flow
The cover of Simply Nigella leans into simplicity: Nigella herself, framed by clean, empty dishes, striking in its restraint. The back offers a livelier contrast, with a collage of vibrant, comfort-driven dishes that hint at what’s to come.
Inside, there’s a brief introduction, followed by a two-page “Note on Ingredients and Utensils” - essential reading for helpful context. The book is divided into seven chapters, though the naming conventions are eclectic. Some are clear (Bowl Food), others vague (Dine), and a few verge on poetic (Breathe). It adds personality, but not clarity.
Each chapter opens with a warm intro before launching into approachable, flavoursome recipes. Most span two pages: one for the method, one for the photo. Where relevant, make-ahead, storage, and freezing tips are tucked neatly beneath.
That said, the book leans heavily into text - maybe a little too heavily at times. Many recipes come with generous half-page intros, others with full-page reflections. While these can add warmth and intimacy, unless you’re as invested in Nigella’s inner musings as her meals, these preludes can begin to feel less like scene-setting and more like speed bumps.
One design miss: the dust jacket. Elegant, yes, but impractical. It shifts, creases, and tears easily with use.
A copy of Simply Nigella surrounded by fresh ingredients for one of her recipes.
What You'll be Cooking
The recipes in Simply Nigella are spread across seven chapters, though it’s not always immediately clear what you’ll find in each.
The first two chapters, Quick and Calm and Bowl Food, focus largely on easy meals for one or two; perfect for weeknights or low-energy evenings when you still want something home-cooked.
Dine and Breathe shift toward more communal meals. Breathe is all about slow-cooked, relaxed food you can set and forget, while Dine leans into casual entertaining.
Sides and Sweets are exactly what they sound like, while Beginnings, focuses on breakfast. The placement of this chapter at the end of the book is a poetic choice (Nigella frames it as “endings turning into new beginnings”), but from a usability perspective, I would have preferred to see it at the start.
The six recipes tested from Simply Nigella.
Tried & Tasted
I tested six recipes from Simply Nigella, choosing a mix from across the book’s chapters. Some were excellent; others were tasty but didn’t quite hit the mark as expected.
Far and away, the standout is the Dark and Sumptuous Chocolate Cake (p. 283). It’s no exaggeration to say this might be the best chocolate cake I’ve ever eaten and everyone I’ve shared it with has said the same. The most astonishing part? It’s completely vegan. You’d never know from the taste or texture, which makes it the perfect go-to for any occasion, dietary needs or not.
Another delightful surprise was the Fried Egg and Kimchi Taco (p. 372). It takes five minutes to throw together in the morning and keeps me full for hours. Quick, satisfying, and packed with flavour.
The Slow Cooker Cuban Black Beans (p. 214) were a breeze to make - budget-friendly and hands-off. I had them taste-tested by someone who knows their Cuban food, and the verdict? Apparently spot-on.
Meanwhile, the Crunchy Chicken Cutlets (p. 43) took me on a fun flavour adventure. I’d never used cinnamon in a chicken coating before, but paired with a final squeeze of lemon, it created a surprisingly vibrant twist.
The Butternut and Halloumi Burgers (p. 134) were simple yet satisfying, a solid option for a plant-based burger that doesn’t rely on faux meat.
The one recipe that didn’t quite land for me was the Sweet Potato Macaroni Cheese (p. 79). I chose it because Nigella describes it as the best mac and cheese she’s ever eaten, but to me, it felt more like a sweet potato pasta bake than a true mac and cheese.
A crockpot full of freshly chopped ingredients for Nigella's Slow Cooker Cuban Black Beans.
Price Check
The recipes in this book are, for the most part, refreshingly affordable. Many could even be considered budget-friendly, especially for home cooks looking to keep things simple without sacrificing flavour. Ingredient lists are typically short, and most items can be found at your local supermarket, no specialty store scavenger hunts required.
You'll Love This If...
Simply Nigella is a great fit for home cooks of all levels, from beginners to those with a bit more experience. While Nigella occasionally leans into vagueness, for beginners, it can be a gentle way to start building kitchen instincts; for more seasoned cooks, it’s a reminder to trust your gut. The recipes are simple yet flavoursome, and are ideal for anyone short on time but still craving something wholesome and satisfying at the end of the day.
Where it Shines
The recipes in this book feel genuinely warm and approachable, just like Nigella herself. One of her greatest strengths is her comforting, down-to-earth tone, and she brings it to this book in spades. True to its title, Simply Nigella keeps things uncomplicated: the recipes are never fussy, and they’re designed to fit easily into everyday life.
A particular highlight for me is the inclusion of make-ahead, storage, and freezer notes. These appear where relevant throughout the book and are incredibly helpful for planning ahead or making the most of leftovers, something I always appreciate in a cookbook.
And while I don’t usually single out individual recipes in the highlights section, one cake absolutely deserves the spotlight: the Dark and Sumptuous Chocolate Cake (p. 283). If you like chocolate cake, even just a little, you need to try this. It’s that good.
A Few Caveats
Simply Nigella was written primarily for a British audience, and it hasn’t been adapted for other regions. Depending on where you live, you might find yourself looking up the occasional ingredient, and some personal anecdotes, like the surprise of discovering Parmesan isn’t vegetarian, might not ring true in places like Australia and New Zealand, where many mainstream varieties are in fact vegetarian-friendly.
Nigella also tends to rely on instinctual cooking cues rather than specifics. She’ll often say “heat until hot” without clarifying what that looks like, so unless you’ve already got a bit of kitchen confidence, you may need to experiment a little to get things just right.
When it comes to measurements, the book uses cups and spoons where possible, but they follow US standards (which differ slightly from Australian and New Zealand metrics). She does sometimes include millilitres as a helpful reminder, but if you’re moving quickly, it’s easy to miss, potentially throwing your ratios off.
Finally, it’s worth noting that Simply Nigella reads more like a personal journal than a streamlined recipe book. The recipes are there, but they’re often wrapped in generous helpings of anecdotes and reflection. If you’re someone who likes to flip straight to the cooking, that might feel a little more distracting than delightful.
Preparing the butternut pumpkin slices for Nigella's Butternut Pumpkin and Halloumi Burgers.
The Verdict
Simply Nigella is a book that wears its heart on its sleeve; warm, sincere, and deeply personal. It delivers what it promises in many ways: approachable food, comforting flavours, and a tone that feels like a friend in the kitchen. For those looking for unfussy meals that feel good to make and even better to eat, there’s plenty to love here.
That said, the book’s charm also brings with it a few quirks. The lack of prep times, the reliance on instinct, and the abundance of storytelling can make the experience feel less streamlined than expected.
For confident cooks, or those who want to read Nigella's personal stories as much as the recipes, these traits might feel freeing. For beginners, they could be a little intimidating.
Still, the overall experience is a positive one. The recipes I tested, particularly that chocolate cake, showcase Nigella’s gift for creating food that’s both deeply satisfying and deceptively simple.
3.5/5 Stars
Want to Try It Yourself?
If Simply Nigella sounds like your kind of cookbook, unfussy, soothing, and full of good food vibes, you can pick up a copy below. It’s the exact edition featured in this review.
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