Bowtie Pasta Cocktail Meatball Skewers (Printable)
Hearty appetizer skewers with pasta, meatballs, and fresh veggies.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 16 cocktail-sized beef or turkey meatballs, cooked
→ Pasta
02 - 1 cup dry bowtie (farfalle) pasta
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
04 - 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
05 - 16 grape tomatoes
→ Glaze
06 - 1/4 cup barbecue sauce or marinara sauce
07 - 1 tablespoon honey
08 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
→ Garnish
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
10 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
# How to Make It:
01 - Cook the bowtie pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
02 - Warm the precooked or frozen meatballs in the oven or microwave until heated through completely.
03 - Combine barbecue sauce or marinara with honey and Italian seasoning in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, then add meatballs and toss gently to coat evenly.
04 - Thread each skewer in this order: red bell pepper piece, bowtie pasta, glazed meatball, grape tomato, yellow bell pepper piece, and another bowtie pasta. Repeat until all ingredients are used.
05 - Arrange completed skewers on a serving platter. Drizzle with any remaining glaze if desired, then sprinkle generously with chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The pasta adds this unexpected satisfaction that makes them feel like a full meal in miniature form
- They disappear faster than you can say 'appetizer ready' and people genuinely light up seeing them
02 -
- Wooden skewers need soaking for 20 minutes or theyll char and splinter, learn from my slightly panicked first attempt
- The pasta firms up as it cools, so these actually work great at room temperature for grazing parties
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients are easier to handle and thread onto skewers without everything sliding around
- Double the glaze recipe and keep half warm on the stove for last minute drizzling right before serving