When you need an appetizer that’s both effortlessly easy and impossibly elegant, these Tortellini Skewers are your answer to party-planning prayers. Imagine plump cheese tortellini threaded onto skewers with colorful cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and aromatic basil leaves, all drizzled with balsamic glaze and ready to grab and go. These beautiful bite-sized creations look like they took hours to prepare but come together in mere minutes, making them perfect for busy hosts who want to impress without the stress. The combination of tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, creamy cheese, and fresh herbs creates a flavor explosion that captures all the best elements of Italian cuisine in one convenient skewer. They’re ideal for cocktail parties, baby showers, game day gatherings, or any occasion where you want finger food that’s actually substantial and satisfying. Plus, they can be served warm, at room temperature, or cold, giving you incredible flexibility for your entertaining timeline.
Serving Quantity: 6 servings (18 skewers)
Cooking Time: 25 minutes (10 minutes prep, 15 minutes cooking)
Nutritional Information per serving:
1. Calories: 245
2. Protein: 12g
3. Carbohydrates: 28g
4. Fat: 10g
5. Fiber: 2g
6. Sugar: 4g
7. Sodium: 425mg
Ingredients You Need:
1. 1 package (20 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini
2. 18 cherry tomatoes
3. 18 small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine)
4. 36 fresh basil leaves
5. 1/4 cup olive oil
6. 2 garlic cloves, minced
7. 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
8. 1/2 teaspoon salt
9. 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10. 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
11. 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
12. 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
13. 18 wooden skewers (6 to 8 inches long)
14. Fresh basil for extra garnish
Cook the Tortellini
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the cheese tortellini and cook according to the package directions, usually about 7 to 9 minutes for refrigerated tortellini. You want them cooked through and tender but not mushy or falling apart. Stir occasionally to prevent them from sticking together. Once cooked, drain the tortellini in a colander and rinse briefly under cool water to stop the cooking process and cool them down enough to handle.
Prepare the Marinade
While the tortellini are cooking, make a quick marinade that will infuse everything with amazing flavor. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, dried Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. The aroma should be wonderful with all those herbs and garlic coming together. This simple marinade adds so much flavor without overwhelming the fresh ingredients.
Marinate the Tortellini
Add the drained, slightly cooled tortellini to the bowl with the marinade. Toss them gently but thoroughly to coat every piece with the seasoned oil. Let them sit for about 5 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. This marinating time allows the tortellini to soak up all those delicious flavors, making every bite more flavorful.
Prepare Your Skewering Station
Drain the mozzarella balls if they come packed in liquid and pat them dry with paper towels. Wash and dry the cherry tomatoes and basil leaves. Arrange everything in bowls or on a plate near your work surface along with the skewers. Having everything organized and within reach makes the assembly process quick and efficient.
Assemble the Skewers
Now comes the fun part. Take one wooden skewer and thread on a basil leaf, folding it in half if it’s large. Next, add a marinated tortellini, pushing it down about an inch from the bottom of the skewer. Follow with a cherry tomato, another folded basil leaf, a mozzarella ball, and finish with one more tortellini at the top. Each skewer should have a beautiful pattern showing off all the colorful ingredients. Repeat this process with all remaining skewers and ingredients until you’ve used everything up.
Arrange on Serving Platter
As you finish each skewer, arrange them on a large serving platter in neat rows or in a decorative pattern. You can lay them flat or stand them up in a glass or vase for a stunning vertical presentation. The colors of red tomatoes, white cheese, green basil, and golden tortellini create a visually striking display that immediately catches the eye.
Drizzle and Garnish
Just before serving, drizzle the balsamic glaze generously over all the skewers in a zigzag or criss-cross pattern. The dark glaze creates beautiful contrast against the bright ingredients and adds a sweet-tangy flavor that ties everything together perfectly. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the top of all the skewers for an extra hit of savory, salty goodness. Tuck a few extra fresh basil leaves around the platter for garnish and added color.
Serve Immediately or Chill
These skewers are incredibly versatile in how you serve them. They’re delicious at room temperature, which makes them perfect for parties since you can assemble them ahead. If you prefer them chilled, cover the platter with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving. For a warm version, you can place the assembled skewers on a baking sheet and warm them in a 300-degree oven for about 5 minutes, just until the cheese starts to soften slightly.
Helpful Tips for Success:
1. Don’t overcook the tortellini or they’ll be mushy and fall apart when you try to thread them onto skewers.
2. Use small mozzarella balls rather than large ones so the proportions stay balanced on the skewers.
3. If you can’t find small mozzarella balls, cut a large ball into chunks that are similar in size to the cherry tomatoes.
4. Soak wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes before using to prevent splintering.
5. These can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerated covered with plastic wrap.
6. Try different tortellini flavors like spinach and cheese, meat-filled, or mushroom for variety.
7. Add other ingredients to the skewers like salami, pepperoni, artichoke hearts, or olives.
8. Use a mix of red and yellow cherry tomatoes for even more color variety.
9. Make a double batch because these always disappear faster than you expect.
10. If serving at a party, set out small plates or napkins since the balsamic glaze can drip.
11. Substitute pesto for the balsamic glaze for a different but equally delicious flavor profile.
12. Use metal skewers if you plan to grill these for a warm, slightly charred version.
13. Make them gluten-free by using gluten-free tortellini, which is now widely available.
14. Add a light sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning over the top for an unexpected flavor twist.
15. Thread the ingredients tightly together so they don’t slide around on the skewer when picked up.
