Bowtie Pasta Cocktail Meatball Skewers (Print View)
Playful skewers featuring al dente bowtie pasta, glazed meatballs, and fresh veggies for effortless party entertaining.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 16 cocktail-sized beef or turkey meatballs, fully 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
# Step-by-Step Directions:
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. Set aside.
02 - Warm precooked or frozen meatballs in oven or microwave until heated through.
03 - Combine barbecue or marinara sauce with honey and Italian seasoning in small saucepan. Warm over low heat, then add meatballs and toss gently to coat evenly.
04 - 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.
05 - Arrange completed skewers on serving platter. Drizzle with remaining sauce if desired. Sprinkle generously with chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The pasta acts as a flavor sponge soaking up all that glazed meatball goodness
- Your guests will actually giggle when they see bowties on skewers
- Everything can be prepped ahead so you are not stuck in the kitchen
02 -
- Soggy pasta ruins these completely so always rinse with cold water after cooking
- Room temperature skewers taste better than cold ones so plan your timing right
03 -
- Thread ingredients close together but not so tight that everything squishes when you take a bite
- Pre cut your peppers into evenly sized pieces so every skewer looks uniform