Pin it A vibrant and crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring tender tortellini, aromatic pesto, and briny olives, all threaded onto skewers for easy serving.
This appetizer was a hit at my last family gathering everyone asked for the recipe after tasting it
Ingredients
- Pasta & Cheese: 24 cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
- Pesto: 4 tablespoons basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- Vegetables: 12 cherry tomatoes and 12 fresh basil leaves
- Olives: 12 pitted green olives and 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 recipe always brings joy when shared with friends and family during parties and casual gatherings
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
Pin it 
This easy appetizer is perfect for any occasion and impresses every time
Recipe FAQs
- → How should I cook the tortellini for the skewers?
Cook tortellini according to package directions until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and prevent sticking before assembling.
- → Can I use store-bought pesto for this dish?
Yes, both homemade and store-bought basil pesto work well to coat the tortellini and enhance flavor.
- → What kinds of olives are used on the skewers?
Both pitted green and black olives are threaded onto the skewers, providing a balanced briny taste.
- → Can these skewers be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, they can be assembled up to 4 hours in advance and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.
- → Are there any suggested additions or variations?
For extra richness, add small mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or try sun-dried tomato pesto for a deeper flavor.
- → What drinks pair well with these skewers?
Crisp white wines such as Pinot Grigio complement the fresh and savory flavors beautifully.