Tortellini Pesto Olive Skewers

Featured in: Misty Warm Weeknight Dinners

These skewers combine soft cheese tortellini, fragrant basil pesto, juicy cherry tomatoes, and both green and black olives for a vibrant, Italian-inspired appetizer. Cooking is simple and quick: tortellini is boiled, cooled, then gently tossed with pesto before being assembled on wooden skewers alongside fresh basil leaves and colorful olives. This dish offers a balance of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors in each bite. Ideal for easy entertaining, it can be prepared ahead and served at room temperature. Variations include adding mozzarella balls or using sun-dried tomato pesto for extra depth. Pairs wonderfully with white wines like Pinot Grigio.

Updated on Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:30:00 GMT
Appetizer Skewers: Tortellini, pesto, & olives; a colorful, easy Italian-inspired vegetarian starter. Save to Pinterest
Appetizer Skewers: Tortellini, pesto, & olives; a colorful, easy Italian-inspired vegetarian starter. | almondmist.com

A vibrant and crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring tender tortellini, aromatic pesto, and briny olives, all threaded onto skewers for easy serving.

I love serving these skewers at family gatherings where everyone enjoys the fresh flavors and colorful presentation.

Ingredients

  • Pasta & Cheese: 24 cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
  • Pesto: 4 tablespoons basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
  • Vegetables: 12 cherry tomatoes, 12 fresh basil leaves
  • Olives: 12 pitted green olives, 12 pitted black olives
  • For Assembly: 12 wooden appetizer skewers (6-inch)

Instructions

Step 1:
Cook the tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
Step 2:
In a medium bowl, gently toss the cooled tortellini with 2 tablespoons of pesto until evenly coated.
Step 3:
To assemble each skewer, thread one cherry tomato, one basil leaf (fold if large), one pesto-coated tortellini, one green olive, one more tortellini, and one black olive in any order you like.
Step 4:
Arrange skewers on a serving platter. Drizzle the remaining pesto over the skewers just before serving, if desired.
Vibrant Appetizer Skewers showcasing pesto-coated tortellini, juicy tomatoes, and briny olives, delicious. Save to Pinterest
Vibrant Appetizer Skewers showcasing pesto-coated tortellini, juicy tomatoes, and briny olives, delicious. | almondmist.com

These skewers always bring smiles at family get-togethers, reminding us of warm summer evenings.

Required Tools

Medium saucepan, colander, mixing bowl, wooden appetizer skewers are needed to prepare this recipe.

Allergen Information

This recipe contains wheat (tortellini), milk (cheese in tortellini and pesto if made with cheese), and tree nuts (pine nuts in traditional pesto). Check labels for specific allergens or use nut-free pesto if needed.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 95 calories, 5 g total fat, 10 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein.

Enjoy the visually appealing Appetizer Skewers with tortellini, perfect for your next gathering or party. Save to Pinterest
Enjoy the visually appealing Appetizer Skewers with tortellini, perfect for your next gathering or party. | almondmist.com

Enjoy these appetizer skewers at your next party for a simple and delicious start to the meal.

Tortellini Pesto Olive Skewers

Tender tortellini with pesto, olives, and tomatoes threaded on skewers for a colorful, easy-to-serve starter.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Overall Time
30 mins
Recipe by Ian Moore


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Italian-Inspired

Makes 12 Portions

Diet Preferences Meat-Free

What You'll Need

Pasta & Cheese

01 24 cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)

Pesto

01 4 tablespoons basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)

Vegetables

01 12 cherry tomatoes
02 12 fresh basil leaves

Olives

01 12 pitted green olives
02 12 pitted black olives

For Assembly

01 12 wooden appetizer skewers (6-inch)

How-To

Step 01

Cook tortellini: Boil the tortellini in a medium saucepan according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.

Step 02

Coat tortellini with pesto: In a mixing bowl, gently toss the cooled tortellini with 2 tablespoons of basil pesto until evenly coated.

Step 03

Assemble skewers: Thread one cherry tomato, one basil leaf (folded if large), one pesto-coated tortellini, one green olive, one additional tortellini, and one black olive onto each wooden skewer in any preferred order.

Step 04

Finish and serve: Arrange assembled skewers on a serving platter. Drizzle remaining pesto over skewers just before serving, if desired.

Equipment Needed

  • Medium saucepan
  • Colander
  • Mixing bowl
  • Wooden appetizer skewers (6-inch)

Allergy Warnings

Check each food item for possible allergens, and speak with a healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (tortellini), milk (cheese in tortellini and possibly in pesto), and tree nuts (pine nuts in traditional pesto).

Nutrition Facts (Serving Size)

Use this nutritional breakdown as a general guide—not a replacement for professional advice.
  • Calories: 95
  • Fats: 5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Proteins: 3 g