Old Chicago’s Italian Nachos Copycat Recipe
Old Chicago’s Italian Nachos Copycat Recipe brings a delightful twist to classic nachos using crispy fried wonton wrappers as chips, topped with savory Italian pork sausage, pepperoni, a blend of mozzarella and pepper jack cheeses, and tangy pepperoncini, served with warm marinara sauce for dipping. This appetizer delivers a perfect blend of Italian flavors and crunchy textures, ideal for sharing at parties or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chips
- 1 Package Wonton Wrappers, cut into triangles (slice in half diagonally)
- Vegetable or Canola Oil, for frying
Meat and Toppings
- 1 pound Ground Italian Pork Sausage
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- ½ cup Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
- 1 Pepperoni, sliced
- Pepperoncini or Banana Peppers, to taste
Accompaniments
- ½ cup Marinara Sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Cook Italian Sausage: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook 1 pound of ground Italian pork sausage for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally until fully cooked and browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Wonton Chips: Cut the wonton wrappers in half diagonally to create triangles. In another pan, heat vegetable or canola oil over medium-high heat until hot. Fry the wonton triangles in batches for about 2 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Remove them from the oil and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Assemble Nachos: On a baking sheet, spread a layer of crispy wonton chips. Sprinkle a layer of shredded pepper jack cheese evenly over the chips, followed by cooked Italian sausage crumbles, sliced pepperoni, and pepperoncini or banana peppers. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake Nachos: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the assembled nachos for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately with warm marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- For extra heat, add sliced jalapeños along with or instead of pepperoncini.
- Make sure the oil is hot before frying wontons to ensure crispiness.
- You can substitute ground Italian pork sausage with ground turkey or beef if preferred.
- Use fresh marinara sauce for the best dipping experience or your favorite jarred brand.
Keywords: Italian nachos, wonton nachos, copycat recipe, Italian pork sausage, appetizer, party food, fried wontons
