Pasta chips with cheese toppings (Print Version)

Golden, crispy pasta chips topped with melted cheese, fresh veggies, and a tangy zesty 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 oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Boil salted water and cook pasta until just al dente, about 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and pat dry thoroughly.
03 - Toss pasta with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
04 - Spread pasta in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp. Cool for 5 minutes.
05 - Combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir until smooth and set aside.
06 - On an oven-safe platter or skillet, layer half of the baked pasta chips and sprinkle with half of the shredded cheeses. Top with remaining chips and cheeses.
07 - Return the layered pasta chips to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.
08 - Top with diced tomato, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and avocado. Drizzle with the prepared zesty sauce. Serve immediately.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • You get that irresistible crunch that makes people reach for just one more handful, then suddenly the whole platter is gone.
  • It feels like you spent hours in the kitchen when really you pulled it together faster than ordering takeout.
  • The lime-spiked sour cream sauce ties everything together with a brightness that cuts through all that cheese and carbs in the best way.
02 -
  • Don't skip the drying step after draining the pasta—any remaining water turns your chips soggy instead of crispy, and that's the whole point of this dish.
  • Add your fresh toppings right before serving because avocado turns gray and tomato releases water if they sit around.
03 -
  • If you want extra crunch without waiting for the oven, try air-frying the pasta at 200°C for 12 to 15 minutes instead—it uses less energy and gives you slightly crispier results.
  • Prep all your fresh toppings the morning of and store them separately in the fridge so assembly takes literally two minutes.
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