Pesto Tortellini Skewers are easy to make and easy to transport. These skewer appetizers are perfect to bring to a party. They are my signature traveling appetizer dish!
Why You'll Love Pesto Tortellini Skewers
For some reason, people love to eat food off of sticks. Did you ever notice that? Typically it is hard to get pasta on a stick (have you ever tried spaghetti?) but tortellini skewers are very doable.
Now please don't judge me because you see these skewer appetizers served out of an aluminum tin. When you are at a soccer or baseball party with over a dozen teenage boys, these tins are fancy. Believe me when I say that as I have had parties in my house with food served out of cardboard boxes. The boys don't care about containers as they are more more worried about what's inside the boxes. Or how fast you can swallow down a slice of pizza before going back to playing basketball or XBox.
If you really want to know the truth, I don't know if any of the boys ate a skewer. But these Pesto Tortellini Skewers were a real hit with the adults. They disappeared very quickly and are one of my favorite make ahead appetizers.
How to Make Tortellini Skewers
- Cook your tortellini according to the package, then drain and rinse with some cold water.
- In a bowl, combine the tortellini and mozzarella balls with your pesto sauce. Be sure to mix gently so nothing falls apart.
- Assemble your skewers by alternating between tortellini, mozzarella wrapped in pepperoni, and tomatoes.
What type of tortellini should I use use for these Pesto Tortellini Skewers?
In this recipe, I used pesto tortellini from Trader Joe's but any tortellini will do. Grocery stores carry lots of variety and you can substitute three cheese tortellini, meat tortellini or spinach ones. Use your favorite!
The pesto sauce really gave everything good flavor. I also used a jar of store bought pesto for convenience but if you are really ambitious, you can use homemade pesto also. If you use too much, the tortellini skewers could be salty so I used only a small amount of pesto.
More Skewer Appetizers
The variations on appetizer skewers are endless. This is not the first time I have made them.
My Antipasto Skewers, Greek Shrimp Skewers and Strawberry Basil Feta Skewers are frequent visitors at parties too.
You can put whatever you want on a stick! I am making them next week for book club but leaving out the pepperoni to make them vegetarian. They might also be more kid friendly if the pesto is left out. Be creative and look in your fridge and pantry. You'll find endless ideas to serve on a skewer!
Here are a few more skewer appetizers for you:
- Jalapeno Bacon Tater Tots from from Spicy Southern Kitchen
- Easy Summer Fruit Kebabs from Reluctant Entertainer
- Sweet and Sour Meatball Skewers from Taste & Tell
If you like eating pasta as an appetizer, also try my Air Fryer Pasta Chips recipe.
FAQs
I use 4- inch disposable bamboo skewers for this recipe. They can easily be bought on Amazon. This makes for easy clean up. Of course you can use small metal ones or use 6 inch and make the skewers a bit bigger with more tortellini if that is your preference.
If you like this recipe for pesto tortellini skewers, please give it a 5-star rating below.
RECIPE
Pesto Tortellini Skewers
Ingredients
- 8 to 10 ounce package of fresh tortellini
- 8 ounces bocconcini small fresh mozzarella balls
- 2 TBS pesto sauce
- 24 small slices pepperoni
- 24 grape tomatoes
Instructions
- Cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain when cooked and rinse with cold water.
- In a medium size bowl, mix together the tortellini and mozzarella balls with pesto sauce. Stir gently so they don't break apart.
- On small skewers, alternate tortellini, mozzarella balls wrapped in pepperoni and tomatoes. You will use 24 pieces of tortellini and mozzarella balls. There might be a few extra leftover.
- Makes 24 skewers.
Notes
Nutrition
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Danielle says
Skewers are such a great idea for appetizers 🙂 love it!
Kate says
I've made caprese skewers before, adding tortellini seems like such an easy variation.
Karen Harris says
Love these. Not only are they pretty but I know that they are delicious. I'm passing this idea on to my daughter. She is a beginner at entertaining and these would be perfect for her to wow her friends.
Katrina says
Such a great idea! Must try and just might for a shindig next Friday. 😉
Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry! says
What a great idea! I love that you can make these ahead of time. I have people coming over in 2 weeks and I am definitely going to make these!
teresa says
YUM! i would have a hard time only having one or two!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Those look amazing and I am betting my kids would eat them because they're on sticks LOL. The same food could be on a plate, but they wouldn't touch it, but put it on a stick? And it's devoured in seconds.
Ramona says
What a great idea. I can tell these would be a hit.
Angela says
I love this idea for a summer party--easy and pretty.
Caroline Osborne says
I brought 60 of these to a potluck. They took a little time to put together, but it was easy to do. They were very popular with kids and adults and disappeared quickly. My teenagers said they wanted me to make them at home just for them, but that everyone loved them and they would be good to bring again.
lisa says
Glad you enjoyed them Caroline! Thanks for the review!
Lolly says
Hi These look wonderful. I’m going to triple this and bring a large quantity to a football party this weekend. Could you please clarify what length the skewers need to be? Thanks so much.
lisa says
Hi Lolly,
I use 4 inch bamboo skewers for this recipe. But you could also use 6 inch skewers and make them a bit bigger. Here is a link of the skwers I buy on Amazon (affiliate link included). https://amzn.to/3LgJ6un I will also add it to the post. Thanks for your input!
Lisa
Lolly says
Thank you so much for the reply! I was thinking 3” but I going to add a black olive to them so I was worried that they would not be long enough. So happy I waited for your reply. I know these will be a huge hit. Thanks again!
lisa says
Good idea! Don't stress too much on the size of the skewers as you can always adjust them.
Denise says
A big hit!
I could only find pearl size mozzarella, so I used 2 per skewer wrapped by pepperoni & Genoa salami. I also drizzled balsamic glaze just prior to serving.
lisa says
Denise,
Glad you enjoyed! These are always a party pleaser. Happy holidays!
Lisa