Golden-baked pasta chips topped with cheese, fresh veggies, and zesty sauce for a flavorful snack or starter.
# What you 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 - Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain thoroughly and pat dry with a clean towel.
03 - Toss the drained pasta with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
04 - Arrange 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, then sprinkle with half of the shredded cheeses. Add the remaining chips and top with the remaining cheese.
07 - Return the layered chips to the oven and bake for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Top with diced tomato, chopped red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and diced avocado. Drizzle with the zesty sauce and serve immediately.
