Appetizers don't get much easier than these 4-ingredient Caprese Bites!
Need a quick and easy appetizer for a summer party? I've got just the thing. These Caprese Bites are seasonal, fresh and are sure to go fast at your next gathering. And who doesn't love eating with their hands?
My spin on an Italian Caprese salad includes sweet grape tomatoes, fresh and creamy mozzarella and a pesto-coated cheese tortellini. Certainly not 100% traditional, but I love the flavor combination, and it's super fast to pull together.
Assembling these Caprese Bites is a fantastic job to give to guests who are always asking what they can do to help. But if you're short on time and don't want to fuss with threading the ingredients onto the skewers, you could easily toss the pesto, tortellini, mozzarella, and tomatoes in a bowl and enjoy a rock star pasta salad.
Caprese Bites
Ingredients
- 36 Refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini cooked according to package directions, drained and cooled
- 36 Fresh mozzarella cut into bite-sized pieces
- 36 Cherry or grape tomatoes
- ½ cup Basil pesto either store-bought or homemade
Instructions
- Toss tortellini with pesto.
- Thread tomatoes, mozzarella bites and pesto tortellini onto skewers.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.
Should I cover with Saran wrap in the fridge?
Yes, if you're not eating them right away.
Would these hold up if I made them the night before? I wonder too if sun-dried tomatoes would work?
You could certainly try. The tortellini might absorb the pesto sauce more than I'd like, but it's definitely worth a shot. I've only made them with fresh tomatoes, so I can't comment on the sun-dried option. Good luck!
What a nice twist! The tortellini makes it oh so yummier. Quick and easy recipe but super yummy.
Mmm... love the idea of caprese in little tiny bites. Makes limiting intake just a bit harder! 😉
These are brilliant!!!
Thanks, Mimi! I'm a fan of anything fresh, fast and tasty.
Lovely! When I first opened your post I thought the tortellini part was in fact artichoke hearts... I guess that could be good too, don't you think?
I have a recipe on my blog to share, hope it's ok to include a link, if not feel free to delete my comment...
http://bewitchingkitchen.com/2012/09/08/into-the-light-again/
Hi Sally, Never thought of artichoke hearts, but why not?
Ooo ooo ooo I love the addition of pesto-coated tortellini on these babies! Yummy!
You can never have enough cheese, right? 🙂
These are adorable and it's so nice to be able to make things ahead of time when you're having people over! My go-to snack is Chex Mix. I just love the stuff and friends and family seem to, as well!
I'm with ya; love to do as much ahead of time as possible!
I love a good, quick appetizer that you can make and share a party! The tortellini on this appetizer is a great idea!
Quick, easy and tasty...you're singing my song, Julia!
Oh wow I love the idea of adding tortellini! What an awesome twist!
Thanks, Katie. The tortellini is what wins my kids over every time.