Pasta Chips Nachos Delight (Printable)

Crispy pasta chips topped with cheese, fresh veggies, and a zesty sauce for a tasty snack.

# Components:

→ Pasta Chips

01 - 9 oz rigatoni or penne pasta
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 tsp salt
06 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Cheese & Toppings

07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
08 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1 medium tomato, diced
10 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
11 - 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
12 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
13 - 1 small avocado, diced

→ Zesty Sauce

14 - 1/2 cup sour cream
15 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
16 - Juice of 1/2 lime
17 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
18 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Set the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente, approximately 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain thoroughly and pat dry with a clean towel.
03 - Combine pasta with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, tossing evenly to coat.
04 - Spread pasta in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
06 - Arrange half of the baked pasta chips on an oven-safe platter or skillet. Sprinkle with half the shredded cheeses. Top with remaining pasta chips and cheeses.
07 - Return the layered dish to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes until cheeses are melted and bubbly.
08 - Top with diced tomato, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and avocado. Drizzle with zesty sauce and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the perfect excuse to use pasta as a vehicle for cheese and toppings instead of sauce, giving you that satisfying crunch every single bite.
  • You can make the pasta chips ahead of time and assemble this minutes before serving, which means less stress when guests arrive.
  • Everyone feels fancy eating something this creative, but the execution is genuinely simple and forgiving.
02 -
  • Pat your cooked pasta completely dry before tossing with oil—any moisture will cause it to steam instead of crisp, and you'll end up with chewy pasta instead of crunchy chips.
  • Don't skip the half-flip during baking; this step is genuinely what makes the difference between okay and restaurant-quality crunch.
  • Add avocado and other fresh toppings right before serving so they stay fresh and don't get warm or mushy from the hot pasta underneath.
03 -
  • If you want extra crunch, try air-frying the pasta at 200°C for 12–15 minutes instead of baking—it uses less oil and gets even more consistently crispy.
  • Use an oven-safe skillet instead of a platter if you have one; the metal conducts heat so the cheese melts more evenly and the pasta stays warm longer.
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