Old Chicago’s Italian Nachos Copycat Recipe
This Old Chicago’s Italian Nachos Copycat recipe features crispy homemade wonton chips layered with savory Italian sausage, spicy pepperoni, melted mozzarella and pepper jack cheeses, and tangy pepperoncini peppers. Baked to perfection and served with marinara sauce for dipping, these Italian-inspired nachos are a delicious and unique appetizer or snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Wonton Chips
- 1 Package Wonton Wrappers (cut into triangles)
- Vegetable or Canola Oil (for frying)
Meat and Cheese
- 1 pound Ground Italian Pork Sausage
- 1 Pepperoni (sliced)
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 1/2 cup Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
Other
- Pepperoncini or Banana Peppers (to taste)
- 1/2 cup Marinara Sauce (for dipping)
Instructions
- Cook the Italian Sausage: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground Italian pork sausage for about 8 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Once done, drain any excess fat and set the sausage aside.
- Prepare and Fry Wonton Chips: Cut the wonton wrappers diagonally in half to create triangle chips. In another pan, heat vegetable or canola oil over medium-high heat until hot. Working in batches, fry the wonton triangles for about 2 minutes on each side until they turn golden and crispy. Remove the chips from the oil and place them on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Assemble the Nachos: On a baking sheet, spread a layer of the crispy wonton chips. Evenly distribute the cooked Italian sausage crumbles, sliced pepperoni, pepperoncini slices, and shredded pepper jack cheese across the chips. Finally, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake to Melt Cheese: Place the assembled nachos in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 5 minutes or until the cheeses have melted and are bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately with marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcrowd the pan when frying the wonton chips to ensure even crisping.
- You can substitute pepperoncini with banana peppers or jalapeños for a different heat level.
- For a spicier kick, consider mixing some crushed red pepper flakes into the sausage while cooking.
- Leftover wonton chips can be stored in an airtight container and lightly reheated for crispiness.
Keywords: Italian nachos, wonton chips, Italian sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, pepper jack cheese, marinara dipping sauce, appetizer, party snack
