Save It A vibrant and crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring tender tortellini, aromatic pesto, and briny olives, all threaded onto skewers for easy serving.
This recipe quickly became a favorite at our family gatherings for its simplicity and delicious taste.
Ingredients
- Pasta & Cheese: 24 cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
- Pesto: 4 tablespoons basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- Vegetables: 12 cherry tomatoes, 12 fresh basil leaves
- Olives: 12 pitted green olives, 12 pitted black olives
- For Assembly: 12 wooden appetizer skewers (6-inch)
Instructions
- Cook Tortellini:
- Cook the tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Toss with Pesto:
- In a medium bowl, gently toss the cooled tortellini with 2 tablespoons of pesto until evenly coated.
- Assemble Skewers:
- To assemble each skewer, thread one cherry tomato, one basil leaf (fold if large), one pesto-coated tortellini, one green olive, one more tortellini, and one black olive in any order you like.
- Serve:
- Arrange skewers on a serving platter. Drizzle the remaining pesto over the skewers just before serving, if desired.
Save It These skewers are always a hit during our summer parties and bring everyone together around the snack table.
Preparation Tips
Cook tortellini al dente to prevent them from becoming mushy on the skewers.
Storage Instructions
Can be made up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerated; bring to room temperature before serving.
Pairing Suggestions
Pairs well with crisp white wines like Pinot Grigio for a refreshing accompaniment.
Save It Enjoy these flavorful skewers as a perfect start to any meal or as a stand-alone party snack.
Common Questions About Recipes
- → How should I cook the tortellini for the skewers?
Boil tortellini following package directions until tender, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool before assembling.
- → Can I use store-bought pesto for this dish?
Yes, store-bought pesto works well, but homemade basil pesto adds a fresher, vibrant flavor.
- → What olives work best on these skewers?
Pitted green and black olives provide a nice briny contrast and are easiest to thread onto the skewers.
- → Is there a way to prepare these skewers ahead of time?
You can assemble the skewers a few hours in advance and refrigerate; bring them to room temperature before serving for best taste.
- → Can I add other ingredients for extra flavor?
Try adding small mozzarella balls or using sun-dried tomato pesto to enhance richness and variety.