Antipasto is defined as an appetizer before a formal Italian meal, but you don't have to leave your antipasto arrangements for a celebration. I love antipasto as a light meal and you can eat it anytime you want. Typically, antipasto arrangements consist of olives, meats and cheeses, but sometimes you can throw in something else to shake things up. Check out these great examples and you'll see what I mean.

1 Antipasto Kabobs

Antipasto Kabobs Via Graduation Party Food & Drink ...
Make it easy to eat by skewering your antipasto arrangements like this. The addition of tomatoes and tortellini really add to this, don't you think?

2 Drizzled Skewers

Drizzled Skewers Via Antipasto Skewers - livelovepasta
Once you have your skewers set, drizzle them with balsamic vinegar for flavor and presentation.

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3 Make Them to Go

Make Them to Go Via Dinner with the Robinsons...: Antipasto ...
Pile your antipasto kebabs in a dish like this one and take them to your next party or picnic. Everyone will love them! I promise!

4 All the Same

All the Same Via Mom, What's For Dinner?: Antipasto ...
Add to your presentation by making each of your skewers the same so they coordinate and look appetizing next to each other.

5 Try Some Vegetables

Try Some Vegetables Via Easy Antipasto Skewers | The ...
Those artichoke hearts make this antipasti look even more delicious!

6 Antipasto Salad Plate

Antipasto Salad Plate Via Antipasto
Of course, you don't have to skewer your antipasto. Try laying it out on a platter like this so your guests can build their own skewer however they want it.

7 Add Some Bread

Add Some Bread Via How to Put Together Your ...
Give your guests something extra to fill up on by adding some breadsticks or loaves of crusty bread to go along with your antipasto.

8 Fresh Basil

Fresh Basil Via Antipasto Kabobs
A leaf of fresh basil with your antipasto is the perfect addition for lots of flavor and color.

9 Marinated Pasta

Marinated Pasta Via Skewerlicious! Antipasto Skewers - A ...
I love how the marinated bowtie pasta on these skewers makes them look totally tasty while also being more filling.

10 Put It on a Tray

Put It on a Tray Via Quick and Easy Antipasto Platter
Arrange your antipasto on a tray like this and it will be super easy to carry it from place to place no matter where you are.

11 Big Chunks of Cheese

Big Chunks of Cheese Via Spanish Style.
Add a few big chunks of cheese to your antipasto platter to give it presentation.

12 Top a Salad

Top a Salad Via cookeatpaleo.com
For a meal instead of an appetizer, pile your antipasto fixings on top of a crisp green salad. Yum!

13 Italian Shrimp Antipasto Salad

Italian Shrimp Antipasto Salad Via Italian Shrimp Antipasto Salad Recipe ...
This plate of antipasto looks so absolutely delicious. Those carrots are stunning!

14 Antipasto Bites

Antipasto Bites Via Cooking Pinterest: Antipasto Bites Recipe
What a fun and easy way to make your antipasto appetizers easy to eat while you mingle.

15 Lots of Veggies

Lots of Veggies Via Roasted Artichoke Hearts for an ...
Asparagus and tomatoes make the most delicious additions to your platter. This one is probably one of my favorites.

16 Antipasto Minis

Antipasto Minis Via Antipasto Minis
These small antipasto skewers are the perfect pre-dinner bites, don't you think?

17 Add Some Ravioli

Add Some Ravioli Via Parties
A big old ravioli on the end of your antipasto skewers are beautiful and look totally yummy!

18 Serve with Wine

Serve with Wine Via Antipasto Platter - Cristina Ferrare
Wine is the perfect thing to serve with your antipasto platter. This looks like dinner to me!

19 Make It a Big One

Make It a Big One Via marthastewart.com
If you're hosting a big crowd, go ahead and make a huge antipasto platter like this one. If there are leftovers, you are set for lunch the next day.

20 Just One Bite

Just One Bite Via The 36th AVENUE | 25 ...
I love how these are just one bite of delicious flavor. How many of these would you eat?

21 Eat It with a Fork

Eat It with a Fork Via Italian Antipasto Salad with Red ...
This looks like a lunch I could eat every day! What about you?

22 Melon Slices

Melon Slices Via Antipasti Veloci
Melon pairs wonderfully with many of the meats on an antipasto platter, especially prosciutto, so go ahead and add some to yours.

23 Try Some Sausage

Try Some Sausage Via Healthy Appetizer Recipes
Add Italian sausage to your skewers for something a little bit different.

24 Lovely Arrangement

Lovely Arrangement Via 17 baby shower recipes - ...
I like how this platter is arranged so each person can grab what they want and pile it on the bread with ease.

25 Grilled Vegetable Antipast0

Grilled Vegetable Antipast0 Via Grilled Vegetable Antipasto with Red ...
Grilling those veggies before you place them on the platter gives them so much more flavor and really adds to your presentation. This looks delicious, don't you think?