The holiday season is a time for gathering, celebrating, and—let's face it—eating! Wow everyone with a festive, Christmassy appetizer. These Tortellini Caprese Skewers are the perfect fresh addition to all the rich holiday food. They're quick, delicious, and require zero cooking time (other than boiling the tortellini), making them a stress-free option for any occasion. With vibrant colors and an incredible dressing, these skewers are as beautiful as they are tasty!
And if you're looking for even more appetizers, here are some favorites.
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Why You'll Love These Skewers
- Quick and Easy: With only 10 minutes of prep, you'll have a tray of appetizers ready to impress.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Perfect for busy hosts who want to minimize last-minute prep.
- Customizable: Add your favorite antipasto items like olives or roasted red peppers to make them your own.
- Healthy and Fresh: Packed with fresh basil, juicy tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella, these skewers are a fresh and festive option amongst all the other rich food.
Ingredient Notes
This easy Christmas appetizer requires a few simple ingredients:
Here's what you'll need to make 24-30 skewers:
- olive oil
A high-quality extra virgin olive oil adds depth and richness to the dressing. - pesto
This is the secret ingredient that ties all the flavors together with its herby, garlicky goodness. - red wine vinegar
Adds a tangy kick to balance the richness of the pesto and olive oil. - cooked spinach tortellini
Spinach tortellini adds heartiness and a pop of green to the skewers. Cook according to package instructions and let cool completely. - cherry tomatoes
These little jewels bring sweetness and color. You can also use grape tomatoes for a slightly different texture. - mini fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine)
Creamy and mild, these bite-sized cheese balls are a Caprese classic. - Large bunch of fresh basil leaves
The aromatic freshness of basil ties everything together. - Salt and pepper
A pinch of each enhances all the flavors.
Step-by-Step Guide to make Tortellini Caprese Skewers
Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, pesto, and red wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the Skewers: Thread each skewer with one tortellini, one cherry tomato, a fresh basil leaf, and one mozzarella ball.
Serve: Arrange the skewers on a platter and drizzle the dressing over the skewers and serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Top Tips
Use Fresh Ingredients: The quality of your mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil makes all the difference in this simple recipe. Look for the freshest produce you can find!
Keep it Cool: If assembling ahead of time, refrigerate the skewers to keep them fresh. Add the dressing just before serving.
Get Creative: Swap in marinated artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, or roasted red peppers for variety.
Choose the Right Skewers: Bamboo cocktail picks work perfectly for this recipe. If you prefer longer skewers, aim for about 6 inches to hold more ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use store-bought pesto?
Absolutely! Jarred pesto is a time-saver and works wonderfully in this recipe. Just choose a high-quality brand for the best flavor.
2. Can I make these skewers gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute gluten-free tortellini to make this recipe gluten-free.
3. How long can these skewers sit out?
For food safety, it's best to serve these skewers within two hours of removing them from the refrigerator. If you're hosting outdoors in cool weather, they can stay fresh a bit longer.
4. What can I use instead of mozzarella balls?
If Ciliegine isn’t available, cut fresh mozzarella into small cubes or use marinated bocconcini for extra flavor.
What To Make For Your Holiday Potluck
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Printable Recipe
Tortellini Caprese Skewers
Equipment
- small bowl
- mini whisk or fork
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons jarred pesto
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 9 ounce package spinach tortellini (cooked and cooled)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes)
- 8 ounce package mini fresh mozzarella cheese balls
- Large bunch of fresh basil leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, pesto, and red wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Skewers: Thread each skewer with one tortellini, one cherry tomato, a fresh basil leaf, and one mozzarella ball.
- Serve: Arrange the skewers on a platter and drizzle the dressing over the skewers and serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
- Entertaining for the holidays is so easy with this make-ahead recipe!
- The fresh mozzarella balls are often called Ciliegine and are found in the cheese section of the grocery store.
- Bamboo cocktail picks work well for the skewers.
- For variety, add other antipasto items like olives or roasted red peppers.
- These skewers can be assembled a few hours in advance; just keep them covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
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