Pasta Chips Nachos Snack (Print Version)

Golden pasta chips baked crisp, topped with cheese, fresh veggies, and a tangy sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente, approximately 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and pat dry thoroughly.
03 - Toss the cooked pasta with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
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 - Combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.
06 - On an oven-safe platter or skillet, layer half of the baked pasta chips and sprinkle with half the shredded cheeses. Add remaining chips and top with the rest of the cheese.
07 - Return the layered chips to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Top with diced tomato, chopped red onion, sliced jalapeño, cilantro, and diced avocado. Drizzle with zesty sauce and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It transforms ordinary pasta into something crispy and shareable, with the comfort of cheese and the freshness of live toppings.
  • The whole thing comes together in under an hour, and it feels fancy enough for guests but easy enough for a lazy afternoon.
02 -
  • Pat the pasta completely dry after draining; any water left behind will make the chips soggy instead of shatteringly crisp.
  • Don't skip the second bake even though it's short; those three minutes make the difference between melted cheese and properly bubbly, cohesive cheese.
03 -
  • If you have an air fryer, use it at 200°C for 12 to 15 minutes instead of baking; the results are impossibly crispy.
  • Make the sauce ahead and keep it in the fridge; the flavors actually deepen when it sits overnight.
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