Description
Elegant and easy-to-make appetizer featuring cheese tortellini skewered with fresh veggies and drizzled with a bright lemon basil vinaigrette. Perfect for parties or light summer meals!
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Skewers:
- 20 oz (560g) package cheese tortellini, cooked and cooled
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1 English cucumber, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine size)
- 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives
- 20–25 small wooden skewers (6-inch)
- For the Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare tortellini: Cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool completely.
- Make vinaigrette: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, basil, lemon zest, garlic, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Assemble skewers: Thread each skewer with 1 tortellini, 1 tomato, 1 cucumber chunk, 1 mozzarella ball, and 1 olive in any order you prefer.
- Arrange and dress: Place skewers on a serving platter and drizzle generously with the lemon basil vinaigrette.
- Serve: Garnish with extra basil leaves if desired. Can be served immediately or chilled for up to 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- For make-ahead: Prepare components separately and assemble 1 hour before serving.
- Vegetarian option: Use cheese tortellini (check for rennet if strict vegetarian).
- Add protein: Include grilled chicken or shrimp pieces on skewers.
- No skewers? Serve as a tortellini salad with the same ingredients tossed together.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes (for tortellini)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook (except tortellini)
- Cuisine: Italian-Mediterranean Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 skewers
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 25mg