These easy Pesto Tortellini Bites are the perfect holiday appetizer or party snack made with cheese tortellini, pesto, olives, sundried tomatoes, salami, and cheddar. They’re simple to assemble, full of flavor, and ideal for serving at gatherings, dinner parties, or other festive celebrations!

A Quick Look

Recipe Name: Pesto Tortellini Bites
Ready In: 20 minutes
Serves: 24
Main Ingredients: pack tri-colored tortellini, pesto, sundried tomatoes, pitted green olives, peppered salami, white sharp cheddar, Large party toothpicks
Why You'll Love It: These easy Pesto Tortellini Bites are the perfect holiday appetizer or party snack made with cheese tortellini, pesto, olives, sundried tomatoes, salami, and cheddar. They’re simple to assemble, full of flavor, and ideal for serving at gatherings, dinner parties, or other festive celebrations!

The perfect holiday pesto appetizer

These pesto tortellini bites are the perfect holiday appetizer or party snack! They're bite-sized, colorful, and filled with a delicious, savory flavor. They're like pasta salad on a stick! With creamy tortellini, bright pesto, tangy sundried tomatoes, seasoned olives, peppered salami, and sharp cheddar, each skewer is like a mini antipasto platter that guests can enjoy in one easy bite.

Ingredients in these pesto tortellini bites

This recipe uses 6 ingredients. Hardly any prep is required, as five of the six ingredients will be ready to go as-is. Below is everything you'll need.

Tortellini: A 9oz package of tri-colored tortellini serves as the hearty base of each bite.
Pesto: Next, you’ll need ⅓ cup of pesto to flavor the tortellini and create the perfect taste. The basil, garlic, and parmesan in the pesto will create a delicious, herb-filled flavor.
Sundried tomatoes: Add refreshing flavor to the skewers with 1 cup of sundried tomatoes.
Green olives: 2 cups of pitted green olives (preferably from an olive bar and seasoned in oil) add a savory punch.
Peppered salami: 4 oz of peppered salami will be the perfect amount for these bites. Any brand is fine. Individually fold the salami before adding to the skewers.
White sharp cheddar: Last but not least, 8 oz of white sharp cheddar cubes will round out the pesto tortellini bites and help to keep you nice and full!

Tools used to make pesto and tortellini bites

Making these pesto tortellini skewers couldn’t be easier, and you only need a handful of basic kitchen tools to pull them together. With just a pot, a strainer, and a few measuring cups, you’ll be able to prep, toss, and assemble this app in no time!

Pot for boiling
Strainer
Stirring utensil
Bowl
Large party toothpicks

To measure out ingredients, you will need ⅓ cup and 1 cup sized measuring cups. That's it!

Photo of ingredients for Pesto Tortellini Bites with labels.

How to make pesto tortellini bites

Pesto and tortellini bites are incredibly easy to prepare. After cooking the tortellini, this recipe involves simply tossing the noodles in pesto and then assembling the ingredients on toothpicks! The whole process should take less than 25 minutes.

First, cook the tortellini according to the package instructions, but remove it from the heat one minute earlier than directed (this keeps it firm enough to skewer). Then, rinse the tortellini under cold water, drain, and let cool.

Next, gently toss the tortellini in the pesto sauce in a large bowl.

To assemble, thread once piece of tortellini, one sundried tomato, one olive, one folded piece of salami, and one cube of cheese on a toothpick. Repeat until everything is used. Drizzle with more pesto if desired.

Recipe Tips

What is in pesto?

Pesto is made with a base of fresh basil leaves that's created with garlic, parmesan, and pine nuts and used as a dressing or sauce. If you're interested in making homemade pesto from scratch, this dairy free pesto recipe is the best!

What are pesto tortellini bites?

Pesto tortellini bites are a delicious appetizer or snack that combine the savory flavors of tortellini, pesto, sundried tomatoes, green olives, salami, and white cheddar cheese! They're a favorite among party guests and are always one of the first trays of food to disappear.

How many servings are in this recipe?

This recipe should create around or toothpicks. You will want one bite of each food per pick, so be sure to have at least 20 pitted green olives, 20 slices of salami, etc.

Pesto Tortellini Bites, cheese, salami, olive sundried tomato and tortellini on a toothpick

Substitution Tip

This recipe comes with many substitution options. If you're out of a main ingredient, you may have a backup that will work!

Olives
Substitute green olives with kalamata or stuffed olives.

Salami
Out of peppered salami? Try prosciutto or pepperoni.

Cheese
White sharp cheddar cheese can be swapped with fresh mozzarella balls or pepper jack cubes.

Storing leftovers

Store pesto tortellini skewer appetizers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy for up to 2-3 days.

If you liked this recipe, you'll want to try these!

Looking for some more pesto recipes? Here are some to choose from! Each recipe is filled with easy ingredients and delicious flavors.

Recipe by Erin Antoniak and Photos by Bake and Bacon

Erin Antoniak