Save 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 my family get-togethers because of its fresh flavors and colorful presentation.
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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)
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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 My kids love helping assemble the skewers, making it a fun family appetizer to create together.
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Tips for Serving
Serve chilled or at room temperature with a side of extra pesto for dipping.
Variations
Add small mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or use sun-dried tomato pesto for a richer taste.
Storage
Store assembled skewers covered in the refrigerator up to 4 hours; bring to room temperature before serving.
Save 
This appetizer is sure to impress guests, offering a burst of Mediterranean flavors in every bite.
Recipe FAQs
- → How should I cook the tortellini for these skewers?
Cook tortellini according to package instructions until tender, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool before assembling.
- → Can I substitute the pesto used in the skewers?
Yes, you may use homemade or store-bought basil pesto. For a richer taste, sun-dried tomato pesto works well too.
- → What types of olives work best on these skewers?
Pitted green and black olives are recommended for a balanced briny flavor that complements the tortellini and pesto.
- → How do I assemble the skewers for the best flavor combination?
Thread cherry tomato, basil leaf, pesto-coated tortellini, green olive, another tortellini, and black olive onto each skewer in any preferred order.
- → Can these skewers be prepared in advance?
Yes, they can be made up to 4 hours ahead, refrigerated, and brought to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
- → Are there vegetarian considerations for this dish?
This dish is vegetarian-friendly but contains wheat, milk, and pine nuts, so check ingredient labels if allergens are a concern.
