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Impressive to serve but so simple to make, these antipasto skewers are one delicious appetizer. With minimal prep and cooking time, these tortellini skewers are perfect for summer entertaining!
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You are going to be enjoying these mini antipasto skewers all summer long, I know I will be!!
So effortless to make, tortellini, olives, mozzarella, salami, and basil are threaded onto skewers and seasoned with Italian dressing and herbs, and finished off with a drizzle of balsamic reduction.
They are so pretty to serve to friends and family and make a great addition to any cookout.
Be sure to try my Grilled Shrimp Skewers too!
Why you will love this antipasto skewers recipe!
- Quick and easy: You just need to boil the pasta and then place everything on to skewers, there’s really nothing complicated about this recipe!
- Make ahead: This antipasto skewer appetizer is best served cold, so it’s a great make ahead option.
- Easy to adapt: You can easily mix up what you include on the skewers, you can use different filled tortellinis or skip the salami if vegetarian. You can also add other vegetables like roasted red peppers, pepperoncini peppers, mushrooms, or artichoke hearts.
Ingredients for Mini Italian Skewers
- Mozzarella: I like to use small fresh mozzarella balls, or bocconcini. They pop right onto the skewers with no hassle.
- Italian dressing: Use your favorite brand of Italian dressing. The tortellini are marinated in this to add a nice herby and fresh flavor. You can also make your own marinade with olive oil and herbs.
- Tomatoes: Use cherry tomatoes that have a nice sweet flavor to them. Like the mozzarella balls, you can just pop them straight onto the skewers with no prep.
- Olives: I like to use kalamata olives, they are bigger than black olives and have a nice meaty texture. Buy pitted ones for ease.
- Cheese tortellini: I prefer cheese filled tortellini for these appetizer skewers. Just quickly boil some from frozen and then let them marinate.
- Basil: Fresh basil leaves add a wonderful fresh flavor and pop of color.
- Salami: I love the addition of salami slices (or pepperoni) on the skewers. You can of course omit this if vegetarian.
- Balsamic reduction: This is an optional addition, but the sweet and tangy flavors work so well with the other ingredients.
- Mini wooden skewers
How to make antipasto skewers
- Cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain well and run under cold water to stop cooking. Toss with Italian dressing and let marinate 30 minutes.
- Thread marinated mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, tortellini and basil leaves on 6” wooden skewers, alternating colors and textures.
- Place antipasto skewers in a platter, cover with a plastic wrap & refrigerate. Sprinkle with fresh herbs & add a drizzle of balsamic glaze just before serving.
How far ahead can you make them?
Once you have threaded your antipasto kabobs, cover them and keep them refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Drizzle them with the balsamic glaze just before serving. They make a great addition to a BBQ or when you are entertaining, as they are ready to just grab out of the fridge and serve.
What is antipasto?
Antipasto is an Italian course, when translated it means ‘before the pasta’. It’s served as a sit-down appetizer, or introduction to the main meal where you get a selection of meats, olives, cheese, breads, and oils, similar to a charcuterie board. These skewers turn your antipasto into a delicious handheld appetizer.
What so you serve them with?
These easy antipasto skewers with tortellini are great to serve as an easy appetizer if you have friends and family over for drinks. They’re easy to eat right off of the skewer, so perfect to pass around. You can also serve these as a side dish with grilled meats, seafood, and your favorite protein, they are great to serve alongside my Grilled Chicken Caprese and Grilled Chicken Kebabs!
TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN
Recipe Notes and Tips for the Best Antipasto Skewers
- Take care not to overcook the tortellini, it should be al dente. If it’s overcooked it can become too soft and break on the skewers.
- Try adding different ingredients, artichokes or olives are both an amazing addition!
- Alternate the ingredients on the skewers to create a visually appealing and flavorful combination. Consider colors and textures when arranging the ingredients.
- For best results, chill the assembled Antipasto skewers in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- When storing, keep these appetizer skewers covered with plastic wrap so that the pasta doesn’t dry out.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
If you loved this mini antipasto skewers recipe, I am sure you will also love these other appetizers:
- Ricotta and Prosciutto Cracker Appetizers
- Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites
- Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites
- Classic Guacamole
Antipasto Skewers
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By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Delicious Meets Healthy.
INGREDIENTS
- 12 wooden 6” skewers
- 12 mozzarella balls
- 5 tablespoons Italian dressing divided
- 12 cherry tomatoes
- 24 pitted Kalamata olives
- 24 cheese-filled tortellini
- Basil leaves
- 24 slices salami or substitute half for Mortadella
- balsamic reduction, for garnish optional
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cook tortellini al dente according to package directions. Drain well and run under cold water to stop cooking. Toss with Italian dressing and let marinate 30 minutes.
- Thread mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, tortellini and basil leaves on 6” wooden skewers, alternating colors and textures.
- Place antipasto skewers in a platter, cover with a plastic wrap & refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Sprinkle with herbs & balsamic reduction just before serving.
TIPS & NOTES
- Take care not to overcook the tortellini, it should be al dente. If it’s overcooked it can become too soft and break on the skewers.
- Try adding different ingredients, artichokes or olives are both an amazing addition!
- Alternate the ingredients on the skewers to create a visually appealing and flavorful combination. Consider colors and textures when arranging the ingredients.
- For best results, chill the assembled Antipasto skewers in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- When storing, keep these appetizer skewers covered with plastic wrap so that the pasta doesn’t dry out.
NUTRITION
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