Pasta, Basil, and Meatball Bites
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 20 meatballs 1x
- Category: Appetizer
Ingredients
- 20 premade, frozen meatballs
- 1/2 cup grape jelly (for meatball sauce)
- 1/2 cup ketchup (for meatball sauce)
- 20 pieces of cooked bowtie pasta
- 20 leaves of fresh basil
Supplies Needed: One small saucepan and 20 toothpicks, skewers, or lollipop sticks. Or any fun cupcake toppers to match the occasion!
One batch yields 20 meatballs, but you can certainly make more. If you have leftover pasta, toss with marinara sauce and enjoy dinner the next night!
Instructions
For Meatballs:
- Defrost and/or cook meatballs per package directions.
- In a small saucepan, combine the grape jelly and ketchup over medium heat and stir often so the mixture doesn’t burn.
- Let the mixture boil for one minute and reduce heat.
- Stir in meatballs so they are completely covered in the mixture.
- Simmer for approximately five minutes before removing from heat.
For Pasta:
- Cook and drain pasta according to box directions.
- Toss with Olive Oil for extra flavor.
Assembly:
- Place one bowtie pasta, one basil leaf portion, and one meatball on each skewer.
- Display on serving platter and enjoy!
Notes
Substitutions:
Meatballs: You can use turkey meatballs for a healthier option.
Vegetarian: For a vegetarian variation, caprese skewers composed of a cherry tomato, mozzarella ball, and fresh basil and drizzled with vinaigrette are a delicious option.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers: Store leftovers in a Ziploc bag or Tupperware container in the refrigerator. These should last for several days. Tip: If you’d prefer to reheat after it’s been refrigerated, remove the basil leaf first so it doesn’t wilt in the microwave.