Ingredients

• Pasta & Skewers: Ziti or rotolo pasta tubes, water + salt, small wooden skewers.

• Optional Veggies (for color/show): Cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini cut into rounds.

• Tomato Sauce (or store-bought): 2–3 tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 can crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, dried oregano/basil/thyme.

• Light Pesto Sauce: 2 cups basil leaves, 1/2 cup pine nuts or walnuts, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 garlic clove, salt, pepper, 3 tbsp parmesan and pecorino.

• Cheese Blend: Grated kaskaval, grated mozzarella with parmesan/pecorino, grated yellow cheese.

Method

1. 01

   Boil Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water for about 12 minutes until firm yet flexible, drain and cool.

2. 02

   Make Skewers: Thread pasta tubes tightly onto skewers, alternating with vegetables if desired.

3. 03

   Prepare Sauces: Cook the quick tomato sauce for 8 minutes; blend the pesto ingredients until smooth.

4. 04

   Assemble: Spread tomato sauce or pesto over each skewer and top with the cheese blend and fresh basil.

5. 05

   Bake: Bake at 180°C for 12–15 minutes until cheeses melt and form a golden crust.

6. 06

   Serve: Let cool slightly and serve for a fun, interactive meal.