Need a healthy appetizer but not sure what to serve? Tortellini Appetizer Kabobs. Marinated in Italian dressing bite sized cooked cheese tortellini, pepperoni slices, artichoke hearts, farmers cheese cubes and half cherry tomatoes artfully skewered together make a great appetizer. Serve warm or cold for an easy appetizer for any occasion...tailgating comes to mind.
Super easy and quick appetizer to serve for any gathering. They are versatile and make ahead. Just purchase refrigerated cheese tortellini, pepperoni slices, black olives, farmers cheese or Monterey Jack, and cherry tomatoes. You will also need a bottle of Italian dressing or dressing of choice and small 6″ wooden skewers.
What is Tortellini anyway?
“Tortellini are pasta originally from the Italian region of Emilia. Traditionally they are stuffed with a mix of meat, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, egg and nutmeg and served in capon broth. In the area of origin they are usually sold fresh or home-made.” They can be found in the refrigerated section, usually the cheese aisle at the grocery. Packages of small shaped tortellini filled with cheese and sometimes meat make appetizers or meals simple to prepare and serve.
How to Make the Tortellini Appetizer Kabobs
In a medium saucepan, boil water as per package instructions on tortellini. Drain and Cool. Place cooled tortellini, artichoke hearts, olives and pepperoni in a gallon size zip lock bag. Pour Italian dressing over the tortellini mix, marinate at least 2 hours or overnight.
When ready to serve, drain marinade from kabob ingredients. Spear the ingredients in order as desired on the 6″ wooden skewers, adding the white cubed cheese and halved tomato to finish the kabob. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
Thats it! Easy and delicious. If you decide to make this a meal, do not skewer them on a kabob, but heat all ingredients in a large skillet with olive oil, toss until warm to serve. Garnish with grated parmesan cheese, serve with crusty bread.
Try Assorted Tortellini for Variety
Tortellini comes in many varieties, cheese, meat and cheese, even chocolate. For this recipe I don’t think I would use chocolate but they would be cute for dessert.
PrintTortellini Appetizer Kabobs
Tortellini, pepperoni slices, artichoke hearts, farmers cheese cubes and half cherry tomatoes marinated in Italian dressing and served on or off a skewer for a kabob appetizer of served warm as a main dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-8 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes + chill
- Yield: 4 dozen kabobs 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
1 (9 oz.) package uncooked refrigerated cheese filled tortellini
1 (14 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained and quartered- not marinated
1 (6 ounces) whole pitted black olives, drained
1 (3.5 oz) pepperoni slices (1 1/2 inch rounds)
6–8 inch wooden skewers
1 8 oz. Bottle Newman’s Oil and Vinegar Dressing
8 oz. Package of Monterey Jack or Farmer’s Cheese- cubed 1/2”
1 pint Cherry Tomatoes, halved
Instructions
- Prepare tortellini according to package directions. Drain and Cool.
- Place the tortellini, hearts, olives and pepperoni in a zip lock bag with the dressing to marinate at least 2 hours or longer.
- Before serving spear the ingredients in order as desired on the skewers, adding the white cubed cheese and halved tomato to finish the appetizer kabob.
- Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Notes
Served appetizer warm as a main dish with out being a kabob.
Other Ideas You Might Like to Try:
My friend Marie Grieco who is a caterer made the Tortellini Appetizer Kabobs as the centerpiece for her table. I love how she created her table-scape with pasta lined chargers and the details of the table. So fun!
