Let’s be honest – regular pasta salad is great, but sometimes you need a fun twist to get everyone excited about lunch. That’s exactly why I started making these pasta salad skewers. They’re basically your favorite pasta salad ingredients threaded onto wooden sticks, and they make perfect sense for picnics and parties.
I first came up with this idea when I was trying to figure out how to make packed lunches more interesting. Regular pasta salad would always end up mushed together at the bottom of the container, but these skewers keep everything neat and organized. Plus, there’s something about food on a stick that just makes people smile.
These are especially perfect for kids who like to eat with their hands (and let’s face it, which kids don’t?). Each skewer has all the good stuff – pasta, veggies, cheese, and meat – and you can mix and match ingredients based on what your family likes. The best part? No forks needed, and cleanup is super easy.
Why You’ll Love This Pasta Skewers
- Fun twist on pasta salad – These skewers turn a classic pasta salad into an entertaining finger food that’s perfect for parties, picnics, or just making dinner more exciting for the kids.
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prepare these skewers hours before your event and keep them chilled until ready to serve – they’ll taste just as good!
- Quick preparation – With just 25-35 minutes of prep time, you can create these eye-catching appetizers that look like you spent hours in the kitchen.
- Customizable recipe – You can easily swap ingredients based on what you have or prefer – use different shapes of pasta, swap vegetables, or change up the meat options to make it your own.
What Kind of Tortellini Should I Use?
For this fun appetizer, you’ll want to stick with cheese-filled tortellini since it pairs perfectly with the other Italian-inspired ingredients. Fresh tortellini from the refrigerated section works great, but the dried variety from the pasta aisle is totally fine too – just make sure to cook it exactly according to the package directions to avoid mushy pasta. If you’re shopping in the refrigerated section, you might see several cheese filling options like ricotta, four-cheese, or parmesan – any of these will work well here. Just be sure to cook the tortellini until it’s al dente (still slightly firm) since overcooked pasta can fall apart when you’re threading it onto the skewers.
Options for Substitutions
This fun appetizer recipe is super adaptable – here’s how you can mix things up:
- Cheese-filled tortellini: While cheese tortellini works best here, you can use other filled pasta varieties like spinach or meat tortellini. Just make sure to stick with tortellini as regular pasta shapes won’t work well on skewers.
- Mozzarella: Feel free to swap the mozzarella with provolone, mild cheddar, or even pepper jack if you want a kick. Just make sure to use a firm cheese that won’t crumble when skewered.
- Green bell peppers: Any color bell pepper works great here – red, yellow, or orange. You could also use cherry peppers or mild pepperoncini for a different flavor.
- Pepperoni: Not a fan of pepperoni? Try salami, summer sausage, or ham chunks. For a meat-free version, use chunks of marinated artichoke hearts.
- Black olives: Green olives, kalamata olives, or even marinated mushrooms can replace the black olives. If you’re not an olive fan, just leave them off.
- Italian dressing: Greek dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, or ranch dressing all work well here. You could even use a simple mix of olive oil, vinegar, and Italian herbs.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest challenge when making pasta salad on a stick is overcooking the tortellini – you’ll want to cook it just until al dente, then immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent the pasta from becoming mushy on your skewers.
A common mistake is not patting the ingredients dry before assembly, which can make the skewers slippery and cause the dressing to slide right off – take a moment to thoroughly dry your tomatoes, olives, and tortellini with paper towels.
When threading ingredients onto skewers, leave a small space between each item rather than cramming them together, as this allows the dressing to coat everything evenly and makes the skewers easier to eat.
For the best flavor, avoid adding the Italian dressing too far in advance – instead, brush it on just before serving to keep all ingredients fresh and prevent the tortellini from absorbing too much liquid and becoming soggy.
What to Serve With Pasta Salad Skewers?
These fun and portable pasta salad skewers are perfect for parties and picnics, and there are lots of tasty ways to round out the meal! Since these skewers already have your pasta and protein covered, try serving them alongside some refreshing options like a crisp cucumber salad or a bowl of mixed greens with light vinaigrette. For a more filling spread, add some crusty Italian bread or garlic breadsticks for people to munch on. I love putting out a few different dipping sauces too – extra Italian dressing, ranch, or even a simple basil pesto give people options to customize their skewers.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These fun pasta skewers stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to lay them flat on a plate or in a container that’s long enough to fit the skewers without bending them. For the best taste and texture, add the Italian dressing just before serving rather than storing them already dressed.
Make Ahead: You can prep all the ingredients a day in advance – cook the tortellini, chop the veggies, and store them separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just assemble the skewers and drizzle with the dressing. This makes party prep so much easier!
Pack: Taking these to a picnic or potluck? Pack the assembled skewers in a shallow container and bring the dressing in a separate bottle. This way, everything stays fresh and the tortellini won’t get soggy. Plus, everyone can add as much dressing as they like!
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 25-35 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1500-1700
- Protein: 60-70 g
- Fat: 110-120 g
- Carbohydrates: 100-120 g
Ingredients
- long skewers
- 10 oz cherry tomatoes
- 6 oz black olives
- 4 oz mozzarella (diced into 28 pieces)
- 6 oz pepperoni slices
- 2 large green bell peppers (cut into 1-inch chunks)
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (I like Newman’s Own brand)
- 9 oz cheese tortellini
Step 1: Cook the Tortellini
Begin by bringing a large pot of water to a boil.
Add the tortellini to the pot and cook according to the package directions.
Once cooked, drain the tortellini and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down.
Set the tortellini aside for assembly.
Step 2: Assemble the Skewers
Take a toothpick and start by threading a tortellini onto it.
Follow with a chunk of mozzarella, a slice of green pepper, a few slices of pepperoni, a cherry tomato, a black olive, and finish off with another tortellini.
Place the completed skewer in a large container with a lid.
Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients until all are used up or you reach your desired quantity.
Step 3: Add Dressing and Marinate
Once all the skewers are assembled and in the container, drizzle your choice of dressing over them, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Seal the container with the lid and place it in the refrigerator.
For the best flavor, let the skewers marinate in the dressing for a few hours before serving.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
When ready to serve, remove the skewers from the refrigerator.
They are a perfect appetizer or party snack that showcases a delightful combination of flavors.
Enjoy your colorful and tasty tortellini skewers!
