Pin 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 my family gatherings due to its colorful presentation 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
- 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.
Pin It This dish always brings smiles at family parties and is perfect for sharing.
Required Tools
Medium saucepan, colander, mixing bowl, wooden appetizer skewers
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (tortellini), Milk (cheese in tortellini and pesto if made with cheese), Tree nuts (traditional pesto contains pine nuts). Check labels for specifics or use substitutes if needed.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 95 per skewer; Total Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Protein: 3 g
Pin It These skewers bring freshness and great taste to any occasion with minimal effort.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What type of tortellini works best?
Fresh or refrigerated cheese tortellini are ideal for this dish, providing tender texture and rich flavor.
- → Can I make the skewers ahead of time?
Yes, assemble up to 4 hours in advance and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving for best taste.
- → Is there a way to vary the pesto flavor?
Using sun-dried tomato pesto offers a tangy twist, enhancing the overall flavor profile on the skewers.
- → What type of skewers are recommended?
Wooden appetizer skewers about 6 inches long work well to hold all the ingredients securely.
- → Can additional ingredients be added to these skewers?
Yes, small mozzarella balls (bocconcini) complement the existing flavors nicely and add a creamy element.
- → What wines pair well with this dish?
Crisp white wines like Pinot Grigio provide a refreshing balance to the pesto and olives.