These Moscato Meatball Skewers combine spicy Italian sausage with Red Moscato wine, then pair the savory meatballs with a cool Greek yogurt, cucumber, cilantro, and lemon sauce. Serve them as an easy party appetizer or a flavorful weeknight main dish.
Food and drink holidays are always a fun reason to bring something new to the table, especially when they inspire a recipe that feels simple, festive, and a little unexpected. National Moscato Day falls on May 9, and it is the perfect excuse to cook with a wine that is usually poured into a glass and enjoyed with something sweet, spicy, or savory. For this recipe, Red Moscato is used right in the meatball mixture and also makes a natural pairing for the finished skewers.
These Moscato Meatball Skewers are bold, juicy, and easy to serve. The base is bulk spicy Italian sausage, which already brings plenty of seasoning and heat. A splash of Red Moscato adds a subtle fruity note that works especially well with the spice in the sausage. The result is a flavorful meatball that does not require a long list of ingredients or complicated prep.
Gallo Family Vineyards makes red, white, and pink Moscato varieties. The Red Moscato was the inspiration for this dish because its sweet citrus, peach, and red berry notes are described as a good match for spicy cuisine. Since spicy food is always welcome here, it was the right choice for these sausage meatball skewers.
What makes this recipe especially useful is its flexibility. Serve the skewers as an appetizer for a party, game day, or a casual get-together with friends. They are easy to pick up, easy to plate, and easy to pair with a cool dipping sauce. They can also be served as a main course for a simple family dinner. Add a salad, roasted vegetables, or warm bread on the side, and the skewers become a satisfying meal with very little extra effort.
The cool yogurt sauce is an important part of the recipe. Plain Greek yogurt gives the sauce a creamy base, while cucumber adds freshness and crunch. Olive oil brings richness, lemon brightens the flavor, and cilantro adds a fresh herbal finish. When spooned or dipped alongside the warm meatballs, the sauce balances the spice and makes every bite feel complete.
These skewers were inspired by an appetizer served at a Michael Symon book signing. The idea is simple, approachable, and full of flavor: seasoned meatballs, skewered for easy serving, finished with fresh garnishes, and paired with a creamy sauce. This version keeps the ingredient list short while adding Red Moscato for a distinctive touch.
Yields 32 meatballs
Serves 3 meatballs
15 min Prep Time
30 min Cook Time
45 min Total Time
Ingredients
- 2 pounds bulk spicy Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup Gallo Family Vineyards Red Moscato
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, stir together the spicy Italian sausage and Red Moscato until evenly combined.
- Using a medium cookie scoop, form the mixture into meatballs and arrange them evenly on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are no longer pink in the center.
- While the meatballs bake, stir together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, cucumber, lemon, and cilantro in a small bowl to make the yogurt sauce.
- Thread the cooked meatballs onto skewers and serve with the yogurt sauce. Garnish with additional cilantro and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Michael Symon’s 5 in 5: 5 Fresh Ingredients + 5 Minutes = 120 Fantastic Dinners.
For the best presentation, serve these Moscato meatballs warm and thread them onto skewers just before serving. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro gives the platter color, while Parmesan cheese adds a salty finish that works well with the spicy sausage. The yogurt cucumber sauce can be served in a small bowl on the side so guests can dip each skewer as they like.
This recipe is a strong choice when you want an appetizer that feels special without requiring a complicated cooking process. The meatballs bake in the oven, the sauce comes together quickly in one bowl, and the skewers make serving simple. With spicy sausage, Red Moscato, fresh herbs, cucumber, lemon, and creamy yogurt, these Moscato Meatball Skewers deliver a balanced mix of heat, sweetness, richness, and freshness.
Compensation was provided by Gallo Family Vineyards via Sunday Supper, LLC. The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Gallo Family Vineyards.