Old Chicago’s Italian Nachos Copycat Recipe

Introduction

These Old Chicago’s Italian Nachos are a fun and flavorful twist on traditional nachos, featuring crispy wonton chips loaded with Italian sausage, pepperoni, and a blend of cheeses. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, they come with a side of marinara sauce for dipping, making every bite a delicious experience.

Ingredients

• 1 package wonton wrappers, cut into triangles (slice in half diagonally)
• 1 pound ground Italian pork sausage
• Pepperoni slices
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese
• Pepperoncini or banana peppers
• ½ cup marinara sauce for dipping
• Vegetable or canola oil for frying

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook the Italian sausage over medium-high heat for about 8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Cut the wonton wrappers diagonally in half to form triangles. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry the wonton triangles in batches for about 2 minutes on each side until crispy and golden.
3. Step 3: Remove the fried wonton chips and lay them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
4. Step 4: On a baking sheet, arrange a layer of crispy wonton chips. Top with pepper jack cheese, Italian sausage crumbles, pepperoni slices, pepperoncini, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
5. Step 5: Bake at 375℉ for 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
6. Step 6: Serve warm with marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• Use turkey or chicken sausage for a leaner option without sacrificing flavor.
• Add sliced black olives or diced tomatoes for extra color and taste.
• For a spicier kick, include jalapeño slices along with the pepperoncini.
• If you prefer baked chips, you can brush wonton triangles lightly with oil and bake at 400℉ until crisp.

Storage

Store any leftover Italian nachos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350℉ for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it may make the chips soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the wonton chips ahead of time?

Yes, you can fry or bake the wonton chips ahead and keep them in an airtight container. Add the toppings and bake just before serving for best results.

What can I use if I don’t have pepperoncini?

If you don’t have pepperoncini, banana peppers are a great substitute. You can also use mild pickled jalapeños or omit them if you prefer less heat.

Old Chicago’s Italian Nachos Copycat Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 91 reviews

This copycat recipe for Old Chicago’s Italian Nachos brings together crispy wonton chips topped with flavorful Italian pork sausage, spicy pepperoni, pepper jack and mozzarella cheeses, and tangy pepperoncini. Finished with a quick bake to melt the cheese and served with marinara sauce for dipping, these Italian-style nachos make a delightful appetizer or snack packed with bold flavors and satisfying textures.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wonton 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, sliced

Dipping Sauce

• ½ cup marinara sauce

Instructions

1. Cook the Sausage: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground Italian pork sausage for about 8 minutes until fully browned and cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Prepare Wonton Chips: Cut wonton wrappers diagonally to form triangles. In a separate pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot. Working in batches, fry the wonton triangles for about 2 minutes on each side until crispy and golden. Remove and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
3. Assemble Nachos: Preheat oven to 375℉. On a baking sheet, spread a layer of the crispy wonton chips. Top evenly with the cooked Italian sausage crumbles, sliced pepperoni, pepperoncini, and sprinkle the shredded pepper jack cheese followed by shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
4. Bake: Place the assembled nachos in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes or until the cheeses are fully melted and bubbly.
5. Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately with ½ cup marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

• Be sure to fry wonton chips in small batches to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
• Drain fried wonton chips well on paper towels to avoid greasy nachos.
• Use fresh marinara sauce or your favorite jarred variety for dipping.
• You can customize toppings by adding olives, diced tomatoes, or fresh basil if desired.
• Leftover Italian nachos can be reheated briefly in the oven to crisp up again.

Keywords: Italian nachos, wonton chips, Italian sausage, pepperoni, melted cheese, marinara dip, appetizer, copycat recipe