Must-Try Italian Appetizers

Many dishes of Italian cuisine contain the great flavor combination of meat, cheese, and tomato sauce that even the pickiest eaters adore. So today we would like to share with you 6 recipes for amazing Italian appetizers that everyone should try.

These are super easy to make, but so delicious. Be sure to give these recipes a try and surprise your loved ones at the next family gathering.

Must-Try Italian Appetizers

Easy Party Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 48 oz (1 ⅓ kg) frozen chicken or beef meatballs
• 12 oz (340 g) chili sauce
• 10 ½ oz (300 g) red pepper jelly
• 1 small sweet onion

Instructions:

1. Finely chop the onion. Then combine all the ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low from 4 to 6 hours.

Easy Party Pizza Sticks

Ingredients:

• 2 thin and crispy pizza crusts
• 1 ½ store-bought tomato bruschetta topping
• 16 oz (450 g) mozzarella cheese
• 1 ½ store-bought olive bruschetta topping
• 1 ½ jarred marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Shred the mozzarella. Take one pizza crust and spread the tomato topping over it, top off with 2 cups of the cheese. Spread the olive topping over the second pizza crust, top off with the rest of the mozzarella.
2. Bake the pizzas in an oven preheated to 450 °F (230 °C) for about 12 minutes.
3. Cut them in half, then cut each half lengthwise into strips. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.

Summer Caprese Prosciutto Cups

Ingredients:

• 12 thin prosciutto slices
• 1 cup diced cantaloupe
• 1 cup diced peach
• ½ cup diced English cucumber
• ½ cup diced fresh mozzarella cheese
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp white balsamic vinegar
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp finely chopped pecans
• 2 tbsp minced fresh basil

Instructions:

1. Dice the cantaloupe and peach into ½-inch wide cubes. Dice the cucumber and mozzarella into ¼-inch wide cubes. Turn a mini muffin pan upside down. Wrap a prosciutto slice around the outside of each cup. Bake in the preheated to 425 °F (220 °C) oven from 5 to 7 minutes. Place the prosciutto cups on a platter.
2. To a medium bowl add the next 8 ingredients, stir. Fill the cups with the mixture. Top off with chopped nuts and basil.

Chicken Parmesan Dip

Ingredients:

• 4 cups (560 g) shredded rotisserie chicken
• 8 oz (230 g) cream cheese
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 cups (480 ml) marinara sauce
• 8 oz (230 g) mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup (50 g) panko
• 2 oz (60 g) Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ tsp Italian seasoning
• fresh basil for garnish
• seasoned pita chips or crostini for dipping

Instructions:

1. Shred the mozzarella. To a medium bowl add the shredded chicken, cream cheese, salt, pepper, 1 ½ cups (360 ml) of the sauce, and 1 cup of the mozzarella. Stir until combined. Spread it evenly in an 8-inch casserole dish. Spread the rest of the marinara sauce evenly over the mixture. Top everything off with the rest of the mozzarella. Bake in a preheated to 375 °F (190 °C) oven for 15 minutes.
2. Grate the Parmesan. Combine the panko, Parmesan, olive oil, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle the mixture over the dip, and bake for another 15 minutes. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Top off with fresh basil and serve with pita chips or crostini.

Mini Caprese Bites

Ingredients:

• 32 grape tomatoes, halved
• 10 to 14 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls, cut into thirds
• ¼ cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 6 thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Thread a tomato half, a piece of mozzarella, and another tomato half onto each skewer. Place in a serving dish.
2. Whisk the oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper together. Drizzle the mixture over the Caprese bites. Top everything off with basil.

Mini Spaghetti Pies

Ingredients:

• 4 oz (115 g) mozzarella cheese
• 3 oz (85 g) Parmesan cheese
• 8 oz (230 g) leftover cooked pasta
• 3 large eggs
• 3 tbsp butter
• ½ tsp kosher salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Grate the cheeses. Beat the eggs. Melt the butter. Combine these ingredients in a large bowl, add the salt, stir. Stir in your leftover pasta and any other fillings.
2. Pour the mixture into 12 muffin cups, lightly coated with butter. Bake for about 15 minutes.

Which of these Italian appetizers did you like the most? Let us know in the comments section!

Lisa

Like many people nowadays, I love to explore new places. My favorite type is slow travelling, when you can really blend in with locals and learn about new cultures and languages. But I think there are also perfect times for enjoying freshly baked pastry, a cup of fragrant coffee, and a good movie in the comfort of your own home. I guess I'm kind of a cultural omnivore, and I watch different types of movies, but the ones about art and food inspire me the most!