Johnny Carino’s Italian Nachos Copycat Recipe

These Italian Nachos are a delicious twist on the same ol’ nachos at Johnny Carino’s. You’re going to love them – trust me!

A few years ago, pre-kids and when part of my income was free to be spent on eating out willy nilly, I often had Italian Nachos at a Johnny Carino’s. These days I would rather spend the same amount of money on ingredients but be able to make two or three times as much. It is a delicious twist on the same ol’ nachos.

If you would like to skip making the chips yourself, try to find a very fresh, thin tortilla chip as a substitute. I found a great brand at a local Whole Foods.

Johnny Carino's Italian Nachos Copycat Recipe

These Italian Nachos are a delicious twist on the same ol' nachos at Johnny Carino's.

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Servings 4

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 Package wontons found in the produce section, cut on the diagonal to form triangles
• 1 package ground pork cook in a saute pan until browned
• 1 6- ounce package grilled chicken pieces sometimes found in the salad section
• 1 jar Pepperochini peppers I got mild
• Shaved Parmesan for garnish
• Optional: Diced Roma tomatoes sliced black olives

For the Cheese Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 2 1/2 cups grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or other good-quality Parmesan

Instructions

 

• In a heavy, medium saucepan melt the butter over low heat. Add the garlic and then the flour and stir to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and whisk in the half-and-half little by little. Cook until thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat; add 2 cups of the grated Parmesan. Season with the salt, pepper and stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Cover and set aside.
• Heat a heavy saucepan or deep fryer to medium. Cook the wontons until light brown. This only takes a few seconds per side. Set aside on paper towels to drain.
• Pile the wontons on a large serving platter. Drizzle with warm cheese sauce. Add sausage, chicken and peppers. Top with shaved Parmesan.

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