Description
Tender penne pasta threaded onto skewers, topped with marinara, mozzarella, black olives, red bell pepper, parmesan, and basil, then baked until hot and bubbly for a fun vegetarian pizza-inspired snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces penne pasta, cooked al dente
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3/4 cup marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/3 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook the penne in salted water until al dente, then drain well.
- Toss the warm pasta with olive oil and Italian seasoning.
- Thread the cooked penne onto 10 wooden skewers and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Spoon the marinara sauce over each skewer.
- Top evenly with shredded mozzarella, sliced black olives, and diced red bell pepper.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and finish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Cook the pasta just to al dente so it stays firm enough for threading.
- Do not overload the skewers with sauce or toppings, or they may slide off while baking.
- For easier assembly, let the pasta cool slightly before threading it onto the skewers.
- Serve with extra warm marinara sauce on the side for dipping, if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 38mg