Italian Meatball and Pasta Sticks
Italian Meatball and Pasta Sticks make a fun, unique appetizer, lunch or light dinner. Kids love these appetizer sticks !
Surprise your family with these Italian Meatball and Pasta Sticks for dinner one night or perhaps at lunchtime.
Not only are they fun to make, these Pasta Sticks look very appetizing, too. And make no mistake, it is not only about looks !
This makes a wonderful, delicious main meal (lunch or light dinner) with veggies or salads on the side.
Or serve them as appetizers .. whichever way you prefer.
The Italian Meatballs are juicy, and just as delicious on it’s own, thanks to the sauteed Onion and Garlic, as well as the Parmesan Cheese that goes into the Meatballs.
These Pasta Sticks are also great served warm or cold (not ice cold though).
However, it really should not stand for more than a couple of hours or the Pasta might go a bit rubbery. Well, not rubbery per se, I’d say a little more chewier, if you know what I mean.
The quantities used to thread onto the sticks are all just an estimate, a balance of Pasta and Meatballs which my family like, therefore if you prefer more Pasta, add more Pasta.
I have made these Italian Meatball and Pasta Sticks with Macaroni and Shell-shaped Pasta before, but it did not come out as great.
In fact, it was a bit of a mess, the Macaroni was way too soft and the Shells kept tearing, and just did not look right. The Penne on the other hand, works like a charm!
More appetizer recipes you might like:
- Creamy Dill Mushrooms
- Mussels in Lemon Garlic-Butter Sauce
- Easy Charcuterie Board (Cheese Board)
- Smoked Salmon Wrapped Melon Skewers
- Avocado Ritz
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Italian Meatball And Pasta Sticks
Italian Meatball and Pasta Sticks
Ingredients
- 2 cups Penne Pasta
- 1 Onion finely chopped
- 3 t Fresh Garlic crushed
- 1 TB Olive Oil
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese finely grated
- ½ cup Fresh Breadcrumbs
- 1 Extra-Large Egg lightly beaten
- 1 TB Thyme finely chopped
- 450 g Lean Ground Beef ( 1 pound )
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- 36 Basil Leaves
- 1 cup Tomato Based Pasta Sauce (your favorite – homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta as per the packet’s instructions, drain and keep aside
- Pre-heat the oven to 200 deg C (400 deg F) – spray a 20 x 20cm ( 8 x 8 inch) oven dish with cooking oil
- Heat the Oil in a small pan – saute the Onion and garlic until light golden and soft – remove from heat and let cool 5 minutes
- In a large bowl, mix the Onion, Parmesan, Breadcrumbs, Egg, Thyme and Beef until well combined – season to taste with Salt and Pepper and give the mixture a final mix – form into 24 small golf ball sized balls and place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm up – transfer to the prepared oven dish and bake 25 – 30 minutes, turning halfway, until done
- Once the baked Meatballs have cooled enough to be handled by hand – start to thread the ingredients onto 12 Wooden Kebab Sticks – Basil leaf, 4 Penne Pasta, 1 Meatball – repeat and end with a Basil leaf
Serve warm or cold, drizzled with Pasta Sauce or serve the Sauce on the side as a dipping sauce.
I need a recipe for a Christmas’s progressive party… Will these work if made ahead? Serve cold or room temperature?
Kelly you can make the meatballs way ahead of time (day before or even longer) and keep refrigerated, but the pasta can not stand for more than a few hours. Room temperature to serve would be better than ice cold
These look really clever. Wow! I love this idea. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
These look wonderful Linda…kid friendly too!
Such a fun and creative way to serve this dish.
Now THERE'S an idea! I just love this – such a simple but effective idea. Definintely going to try this one out at home – thanks Linda!
Very fun idea Linda.
I LOVE this! It looks absolutely delicious and it is so creative!
This is a wonderful and creative idea, Linda. I love how you presented these. They look so delicious. xo, Catherine
These look amazing and my kids love anything on a stick! They would devour them!
What a great idea for a party but still have a little heartier food!
These looks so good! I've never seen anything like this before, great idea!
Ooh, with barbecue season gearing up, this looks like a great cold appetizer! I'll have to pass this along to my mom (the host of family bonfires around these parts).
LOVE this idea!! So creative for a fun take on something everyone loves!
Great job with these! So original and I can only imagine how wonderful they are to enjoy!
What a creative recipe — I love this! I would definitely try this for a pool party this summer!
These are such a fun idea and look super delicious 🙂
This is an excellent idea for a party! You meatballs look delicious too …can't wait to try this!
These look awesome, what a delicious idea!!