Caprese Tortellini Skewers are made by threading seasoned cheese tortellini, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella balls onto a skewer. They are the perfect party appetizer!
» You might also like these 16 Tasty Cocktail Party Appetizers.
There are several reasons why this recipe is so good. This caprese tortellini skewer is not only easy to make, requiring very little effort, it’s also super easy to pick up and eat while milling around at a party.
It can be served as an appetizer for parties and barbeques, or added to an antipasto platter. And to make the whole thing even easier, it can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it.
Ingredients You Need
- Tortellini – I use a 3-Cheese tortellini from Giovanni Rana. There are lots of different brands and flavors of tortellini you can use, so pick one you like. You’ll need 18 tortellini for this recipe, which is just short of a full bag.
- Cherry Tomatoes – An equal amount of cherry tomatoes are required, but they can also be halved if they’re large or you don’t like eating a whole tomato. Just keep in mind that they don’t keep well if you half the tomatoes, so you won’t be able to make them too far ahead.
- Mozzarella Balls – You’ll need 18 mini mozzarella balls. If you can’t find the small mozzarella balls, you can buy a larger block and cut them into smaller sizes. Just make sure to buy fresh, soft mozzarella. The harder block of mozzarella used for pizza is not the right kind.
- Basil – Make use of your fresh basil leaves, if you have an herb garden. Eighteen of these leaves should be used.
- Vinaigrette – You can use a store bought vinaigrette or Italian dressing. I like to use the Olive Garden dressing. If you want to make you’re own you’ll need two tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon honey, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
- Salt – This adds taste to the appetizer. While the vinaigrette adds a lot of flavor, the salt will help bring out each components potential.
Equipment Needed
There isn’t a whole of equipment needed to make these. You’ll need:
- 18 4-inch wooden skewers
- A pot for boiling the tortellini
- A colander for draining the tortellini
How to Make Caprese Tortellini Skewers
Boil the tortellini to al dente, according to the package instructions. They will just come to a float in the pot of water. Don’t over cook them or they will be soggy and mushy. When they’re just done, transfer them to a colander and run under cold water briefly to stop the cooking process and drain well.
In a bowl, add the tortellini, mozzarella and tomatoes. Pour on the vinaigrette and toss everything to coat.
Onto each skewer, thread a tomato, a mozzarella ball, a piece of basil, and a tortellini.
Arrange the skewers on a serving platter and sprinkle with salt before serving.
Tips and Notes
- Follow the package directions to prepare your tortellini. But don’t boil it for too long, to avoid it becoming too soft or opening up too much. It only takes about 2 minutes for fresh tortellini to cook.
- Look for the little mozzarella balls called ciliegine mozzarella (these are the small cherry-sized ones). They should be close in size to your cherry tomatoes.
- If you purchased a large block of mozzarella instead of balls, try to make them the same size as that of your tomatoes.
- Don’t skip the salt! Mozzarella often doesn’t have much salt added and it really needs some to bring out the flavor.
- You can use a different type of dressing, like balsamic vinaigrette or a balsamic drizzle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make Caprese tortellini skewers ahead of time?
Yes, you can make Caprese tortellini skewers ahead of time. You can make them the night before you plan to use them. Just store them in a refrigerator. They can actually last about six days in the fridge, but the basil will start to wilt after a day.
Do I need to soak the bamboo skewers?
This recipe does not require you to cook after threading the skewers. So you don’t have to soak the bamboo skewers. They should be dry but have sharp ends for easy threading of the balls.
Other Appetizer Skewers To Try
- Prosciutto and Melon Appetizer Skewers
- Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
- Margarita Watermelon Appetizers
- Festive Holiday Antipasto Wreath
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Caprese Tortellini Skewers
Ingredients
- 18 cheese-filled tortellini
- 18 mini mozzarella balls
- 18 cherry tomatoes, (or 9 halved)
- 2 tablespoons vinaigrette dressing
- 18 fresh basil leaves
- Salt
- 18 4” wooden skewers
Instructions
- Boil the tortellini to al dente, according to the package instructions. Run under cold water briefly to stop the cooking process and drain well.
- In a bowl, add the tortellini, mozzarella and tomatoes. Pour on the vinaigrette and toss everything to coat.
- Onto each skewer, thread a tomato, a mozzarella ball, a piece of basil, and a tortellini.
- Arrange the skewers on a serving platter and sprinkle with salt before serving.
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Laura is the founder and editor of the travel blogs Savored Sips and Savored Journeys. She is dedicated to sharing the best information about drinks found around the world.
Are these served cold?
If you cook the tortellini, make the skewers, and serve right away they will be warm but otherwise they can be served chilled or room temperature.