Bowtie Pasta Meatball Skewers (Printable)
Fun party appetizer combining pasta, meatballs, and vibrant veggies on easy-to-eat skewers.
# What You 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 (optional)
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 cooked or frozen meatballs in the oven or microwave until heated through.
03 - Combine barbecue or marinara sauce with honey and Italian seasoning in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring constantly. Add the meatballs and toss gently to coat evenly.
04 - Thread ingredients onto each skewer in this order: red bell pepper piece, bowtie pasta, glazed meatball, grape tomato, yellow bell pepper piece, bowtie pasta. Repeat until all ingredients are used, making 16 skewers total.
05 - Arrange skewers on a serving platter. Drizzle with remaining sauce if desired. Sprinkle generously with chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Everything tastes better on a skewer, and these combine comfort food with finger food fun
- The colors look incredible on a platter, like edible confetti that guests actually want to eat
02 -
- Soak wooden skewers for 30 minutes before using so they don't char on the grill
- The pasta needs to be completely cooled or it'll steam the veggies and make them mushy
03 -
- If you're serving these standing up, poke the skewer ends into a halved lemon or small piece of bread to keep them upright
- Double the glaze recipe and serve extra in a small bowl for dipping, people will want more sauce