Viral Chef Behind The Pasta Art SZA Loves Drops New Cookbook 'Italianish'

Danny Freeman, better known to his 1 million+ TikTok and Instagram followers as @dannylovespasta, is taking things beyond the noodle. The beloved content creator and pasta artist is set to release his highly anticipated second cookbook, "Italianish: Modern Twists on Classic Italian Flavors," on August 26, and he’s serving up more than just carbs.

In this follow-up to his bestselling debut "Danny Loves Pasta," Danny Freeman expands his culinary lens to cover the full spectrum of Italian-American cooking, infusing it all with his signature charm, color, and creativity.

“This book is much more personal,” Freeman told The Blast. “It’s the food I actually cook at home. As much as I love making beautiful, intricate pasta, that’s not what we’re eating on a Wednesday night when I’m just trying to get my girls to eat something.”

"Italianish" features over 100 reimagined dishes, with simple recipes and bold flavors that fit into real life. From weeknight meals to celebration-worthy showstoppers, the cookbook is filled with twists on Italian classics that feel both exciting and doable.

“I wanted to take the flavors I love from growing up, red sauce, garlic, lots of cheese, and remix them into dishes that are fun, approachable, and sometimes even a little unexpected,” Freeman said. “It’s 'Italian-ish' on purpose.”

For lasagna lovers short on time, Freeman recommends his wildly popular Lasagna Soup.

For fans of caprese salad, there’s the Caprese Steak Sandwich with Italian Salsa Verde.

And if dessert is more your speed, the No-Bake Chocolate Cannoli Cheesecake puts a playful, indulgent spin on a traditional favorite, no oven required.

“These are recipes anyone can make,” he said. “I know what it’s like to come home after a long day and think, ‘What am I going to make for dinner that won’t take forever and that my kids will actually eat?’ That’s the spirit of this book.”

To make things even easier, the book includes a recipe index organized by how long each dish takes to prepare. Whether you need something quick, something for Sunday dinner, or something in between, "Italianish" has you covered.

Freeman, who left a legal career behind to follow his culinary passion, first captured hearts (and stomachs) online with his bright, creative pasta-making videos. But while pasta is still his love language, his content is about so much more.

“The number one comment I get is, ‘You seem like such a good dad,’” he said. “And that means the world to me, because it’s all real. The girls really are always right there in the kitchen with me. They love it.”

Between recipe testing and filming, Freeman gives his daughters their own balls of fresh dough to play with, turning dinner prep into family bonding time.

“They each get their own little ‘pasta play-dough,’” he laughed. “It keeps them busy, and they feel like they’re part of it.”

Their favorites? Honey Chicken with Fregola and One-Pan Chicken Cacciatore. But for Freeman, the Rainbow Cookie Cookie is a personal standout.

“It has all the flavor of a traditional Italian rainbow cookie, almond, raspberry, chocolate, but in a chewy chocolate chip cookie form,” he said. “It’s so much easier to make than the original, and people go wild for it.”

Freeman’s fan base includes some famous faces, too.

“My biggest celebrity supporter has been SZA,” he shared with The Blast. “She’s posted about me and my pasta multiple times. And Zooey Deschanel, Isaac Mizrahi, Patricia Arquette… it always blows my mind.”

Still, despite the viral success and celebrity shout-outs, Freeman remains focused on what matters most: sharing great food and relatable moments.

“Going viral is fun, but at the end of the day, I just want to make food people love and share stories that make them smile,” he says. “That’s what keeps me going.”

Asked about what’s next, Freeman hints at future food explorations, perhaps even seafood.

“I didn’t grow up eating a ton of it, so I’m still learning,” he admitted. “But my daughter loves it. One day, I’d love to master a really great calamari dish. It reminds me of my grandmother.”

And if he had to pick just one pasta shape to take to a desert island?

“Fusilli Lunghi. Those long, spiral noodles that look like old-school telephone cords,” he said. “They’re fun and perfect for holding sauce. My runner-up would be penne. Always reliable.”

Freeman hopes Italianish will bring a bit of joy and flavor into readers’ kitchens. No matter how chaotic or busy life gets.

“This book is for anyone who wants to bring a little more flavor and fun into their kitchen,” he said. “You don’t need fancy ingredients or hours of free time. If you love the food, that’s enough.”

"Italianish: Modern Twists on Classic Italian Flavors" is out on August 26.