Save Pin A vibrant and crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring tender tortellini, aromatic pesto, and briny olives, all threaded onto skewers for easy serving.
This appetizer quickly became a favorite at my family gatherings because of its fresh ingredients and ease of assembly.
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
- Step 1:
- Cook the tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Step 2:
- In a medium bowl, gently toss the cooled tortellini with 2 tablespoons of pesto until evenly coated.
- Step 3:
- 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.
- Step 4:
- Arrange skewers on a serving platter. Drizzle the remaining pesto over the skewers just before serving, if desired.
Save Pin This recipe has brought my family closer around the appetizer table, sparking conversations and smiles every time.
Required Tools
Medium saucepan, Colander, Mixing bowl, Wooden appetizer skewers
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (tortellini), Milk (cheese in tortellini, pesto if made with cheese), Tree nuts (traditional pesto contains pine nuts). Check pesto and tortellini labels for specific allergens or substitute a nut-free pesto if needed.
Nutritional Information
Calories 95, Total Fat 5 g, Carbohydrates 10 g, Protein 3 g per serving/skewer
Save Pin This appetizer is perfect for any occasion and is sure to impress your guests with its colorful presentation and bold flavors.
Recipe FAQs
- → How should the tortellini be prepared before assembling?
Cook the tortellini according to package directions, then rinse under cold water to cool and stop the cooking process.
- → Can I use store-bought pesto for these skewers?
Yes, store-bought pesto works well and saves time, but homemade basil pesto adds a fresher, more vibrant flavor.
- → What type of olives work best for this dish?
Both pitted green and black olives provide a nice briny contrast and complement the creamy tortellini and pesto.
- → Are there any suggestions for extra flavor additions?
Adding small mozzarella balls or swapping in sun-dried tomato pesto can enhance the flavor profile.
- → How long can these skewers be prepared ahead of time?
They can be made up to four hours in advance and refrigerated; bring them to room temperature before serving for best taste.