I worked at Carino’s Italian for almost 10 years. Ten years! I started work there when I was 17 and I loved it. It was 2001 and back then the restaurant was called Johnny Carino’s. I was a hostess and a table tender (busser), then as I got older I became a server and bartender. I made some of my closest friends while working there and had a lot of great experiences. I think about my Carino’s friends often and how the restaurant kept us all close. We had a blast working together and then spending so much time together outside of work. I miss those days and those people! (Andiamo!)
I’m sure my Carino’s friends can agree with me when I say the Italian Nachos is one of the most asked for dishes on the menu. Not only is it the most popular appetizer, but a lot of people order them for their lunch or dinner. I can see myself standing at the table as someone orders the Italian Nachos. My automatic response was always, “Chicken, sausage, or combination?”
Carino’s Executive Chef is Chef Peit and he has a blog on the Carino’s website. As part of that blog, he’s been generous enough to share the build for Italian Nachos with the public. And since he’s shared it on his blog, I wanted to pass it right on to you! These nachos are seriously awesome. If you’ve tried them before, you know what I’m talking about. And if these are new to you, you have to try them! They’re the best!
Carino’s Italian Nachos
Carinos.com
- 7 oz wonton wrappers (You can find these at any grocery store in the produce section. They’ll be by the egg roll wrappers and tofu.)
- canola oil
- 1/3 c. ground Italian sausage, cooked
- 1/3 c. sliced chicken, cooked
- 2 c. mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 c. fresh diced tomatoes
- 1/4 c. black olives, sliced
- 1/4 c. pepperoncini peppers, sliced
- 1/4 c. jalapeno peppers, sliced
- heated alfredo sauce
Alfredo Sauce
This is NOT the original Carino’s Alfredo Sauce recipe. However, it tastes pretty darn close to it! It comes from Texas Housewife. This link includes other Carino’s copycat recipes!
- 1 quart heavy cream
- 1 c. parmesan cheese
- 1 Tbsp black pepper
- 1/4 c. whole milk
Saute heavy cream, milk, and pepper to a consistent boil. Remove the cream mixture from the heat and fold in the parmesan cheese. Set aside to use on nachos or store in the fridge for later use.
Build for Nachos
Begin by preparing the wontons. Unwrap them and peel them apart. Then cut them into triangles, 3 inches long and 2 inches tall. Size will vary depending on what you buy. Heat the oil up to 350 degrees in a fryer or a deep pan. Drop the cut wrappers into the hot oil for about 60 seconds until the wrappers float and become crispy. Make sure the wrappers aren’t sticking together when they go into the oil. Once the wrappers are fried, they become the chips. Remove from the oil and place on a paper towel to dry.
Place pasta chips in a mound on a baking sheet tray. Top the chips with jalapenos, pepperoncinis, tomatoes, olives, chicken, and sausage. Top with mozzarella cheese. (Top with desired amount of cheese. You don’t have to use the full 2 cups.)
Bake in the oven at 350 degrees until the cheese has turned a light golden brown. Be careful not to burn the chips! Remove from the oven and top with hot alfredo sauce. Enjoy!!
- The Very Best Appetizers for New Year’s Eve - December 17, 2022
- 14 Days of Valentine’s Day with FREE Printable Tags - January 20, 2022
- Black and White Spider Web Cupcakes - September 10, 2021
Kira Cannon says
Hi!! I looove that you posted this recipe. We moved to Portland and they don’t have a Johnny Carino’s here! We use to get their Italian Nacho’s all the time! I’m hoping to make these tonight but the Texas Housewife says to use the Asiago Cream Sauce. Do you just prefer to use the Alfredo sauce? Or is that the closest to the real thing?
Alli @ Cupcake Diaries says
Great question! The original Carino’s Italian Nachos come with the alfredo sauce on them. The asiago cream sauce that Carino’s makes is used on Bowtie Festival and past specialty dishes. This alfredo sauce is the closest recipe I’ve found that tastes the closest to the Carino’s one. I worked at a Carino’s and that’s what we used on the nachos! Delicious! Thank you for the question!
Kira Cannon says
Thanks so much!! I posted the recipe up here http://hotcookinmama1.blogspot.com/2012/08/johnny-carinos-italian-nachos.html and linked up to ya! 🙂
Nicole says
Thank you so much for posting this recipe! These turned out amazingly delicious! This is my fourth time being pregnant and every pregnancy these nachos have been the one thing I stay up at night craving. We don’t have a Johnny Carinos close and so when I found this recipe I was so excited! I was on the verge of tears when I had my first bite, just as good as the ones they make at Carinos! Thank you so much, you completely made this pregnant ladies week!!!
Nicole says
I wanted to add that I did everything exactly as the recipe instructed except I folded some mozzarella cheese into the Alfredo mixture as well to thicken it more and I halved the amount of Alfredo sauce it called for and I still had PLENTY for another pan of nachos for later!
Johnb103 says
I am impressed with this website, rattling I am a big fan. dddgeeekkkck
Kae says
Thanks for this! I used to eat this in a weekly basis in high school with my bestie. Unfortunately they aren’t in my area anymore.
Alli says
You’re welcome! They’re so yummy! Good old Carino’s.