Viral TikTok food trends tend to err on the side of absurd (see: cotton-candy-wrapped pickles, Hot Cheetos salad, and mustard-covered watermelon, to name a few). But Dan Freeman just introduced a wholesome addition to the mix with his succulent-shaped ravioli. A lawyer and dad from New York City, Dan has been charming TikTokers with one-of-a-kind pasta creations since early 2021, and his latest masterpiece officially earned him #FYP all-star status. Made to look exactly like teeny-tiny succulents planted in terracotta pots, the ravioli is almost too adorable to devour — until you remember that it's filled with cheese and doused in a buttery sage sauce, that is.
Dan's first stab at succulent ravioli earned a solid amount of buzz on TikTok, but the real magic came when he revisited the project a month later with suggestions from his followers and husband, who proposed adding the mini orange pots. He shared his newly redesigned attempt on social media, and — boom! — the internet was instantly enamored, with 16 million people watching the video and thousands flooding the comments section. "The response really blew me away!" Dan told POPSUGAR. "I'm happy that it was able to make so many people smile."
Dan also graciously shared his succulent-shaped ravioli recipe with us in case other adventurous PastaTok regulars wish to re-create it at home, which some have already done.
With so much expertise and creativity, you'd likely assume Dan is a professional chef, but he's actually a full-time tenants-rights lawyer for a nonprofit organization, helping people avoid losing their homes. He squeezes in pasta-making experiments during his 1-year-old daughter's nap time or in the evenings. Why pasta, in particular? Well, besides the fact that it makes the world go 'round, pasta helps Dan feel connected to his Italian-American grandmother, who passed away late last year and often made fresh pasta by hand for family gatherings. "I'm very sad that my grandmother is not here to see all the pasta I'm creating, because I'm sure that all the fun designs would really make her smile," Dan said.
Read ahead to fully admire Dan's adorable plant-themed ravioli, and be sure to follow him on Instagram (@dannylovespasta) and TikTok (@dannylovespasta) to keep up with his future foodie creations.