Bowtie Pasta Cocktail Meatball Skewers (Printable Version)
Playful party skewers with tender bowtie pasta, juicy meatballs, and colorful vegetables for easy entertaining.
# 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
08 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
→ Garnish
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
10 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
# How-To:
01 - Cook bowtie pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop cooking process.
02 - Heat frozen or precooked meatballs in oven or microwave until warmed through, approximately 5-8 minutes.
03 - Combine barbecue or marinara sauce with honey and Italian seasoning in small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring constantly until well blended.
04 - Add warmed meatballs to sauce mixture. Toss gently until evenly coated.
05 - Thread ingredients onto each skewer in order: red bell pepper piece, bowtie pasta, glazed meatball, grape tomato, yellow bell pepper piece, bowtie pasta. Repeat pattern until all ingredients are used.
06 - Arrange completed skewers on serving platter. Drizzle with remaining glaze if desired. Sprinkle generously with chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of tender pasta and savory meatballs feels like comfort food turned into finger food
- Guests always gravitate toward the skewers first because they look playful and inviting
- Everything can be prepped ahead so you are actually free to enjoy your own party
02 -
- Soak wooden skewers for at least 20 minutes so they do not burn or catch fire during any heating step
- Overcooking the pasta is the enemy here because mushy bows will slide right off the skewers
- Let everything cool slightly before assembling or you will burn your fingers and regret every life choice
03 -
- Cheese tortellini makes an incredible swap for the bow ties sometimes
- The flavor actually gets better after sitting for an hour so make them early