Oh my, these are good. Very, very good. Even Chubby Checker would be proud of the twist we’re putting on these nachos, today.
For many months our daughter Chelsea has raved about the Nachos Italiano from Ducali. She and her friends on more than one occasion have made their way through twinkle lit cobblestone streets to the Roman-style pizzeria with its exposed brick and big screen TVs showing Italian soccer and the like in all their sporty glory.
Well…we finally made our way and had our chance to try the dish that I’ve only come to know in my dreams. So glad we did! It gave me the opportunity to do one of my most favorite things => eat a meal in the North End then come home and attempt to recreate. The crispy ‘pita’ chips which are made of pizza dough then topped with all our favorite Italian flavors is the real deal, my friends… Do you dream of salami and melty cheese too?
Chunky marinara, soft melty mozzarella, hot pepper rings, sliced Calabrese salami and grated Romano….
We enjoyed our nachos with a goblet of fruity red sangria and a couple lobster filled arancini swimming in a spicy Fra Diavolo sauce…we had no fun at all.
I took the liberty of changing up the recipe a little. I’m certain Ducali’s pizza pita chips (as I’m calling them) were fried, however I baked them before adding the savory toppings. And guess what, you don’t miss the fry one bit. These baked crispy chips are dense enough to scoop and deliver without any sort of mess. I also used a spicier salami to give it the heat that Ducali’s sauce provides and went for a sweeter sauce on mine. Feel free to use your favorite jarred sauce or my homemade marinara.
I see why this dish is all the rage! Not only is this an ideal appetizer it could easily be a creative take on pizza night making it a perfect entree, too.
If you’ve served up a plate of nachos before, you know the drill. Layer all your fun ingredients and go to town…this time with the moon hitting your eye!
Buon Appetito!
PrintNachos Italiano with Calabrese Salami & Hot Peppers
- Category: Appetizer
Ingredients
- 1 lb. pizza dough, rolled thin
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/3 lb. Calabrese salami, thinly sliced
- 3/4 – 1 cup hot pepper rings
- 2 –3 cups good marinara sauce, divided
- Grated Pecorino-Romano, for finishing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Bake pizza dough for 20 minutes until browned and crispy.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool.
- Cut shell into triangular pieces.
- On an oven safe serving platter, layer chips, mozzarella, salami, hot pepper rings and 1 cup of sauce.
- Place under the broiler set to High until the mozzarella melts.
- Remove from oven and add grated Romano.
- Use the remaining sauce for dipping.
- Serve.
Ciao!
Maya @ Treats and Eats says
I LOVE nachos, and I love this twist! I’ve never been to Ducali but it’s definitely making it to my list of must try places. Yum!
Annie says
Maya, You must try Ducali!! I highly recommend the arancini, too! Have fun!
Kari Peters says
These look like the nachos to beat all other nachos, I love anything with salami and spice!
Annie says
It’s just the right amount of spice! Thanks, dear!
Christina @ Bake with Christina says
Those nachos are calling my name! Pass me over a huge dish full!! 🙂
Annie says
I’d love to! Thanks, Christina!!
Lily Lau says
You make the best nachos, Annie… love your recipe! 🙂
Annie says
Awwh! Thank you, dear! 🙂
Annie @ The Garlic Diaries says
Okay, this is brilliant. Nachos are one of my favorite foods and these look a million times better than my traditional kind! I am SO trying these :).
Annie says
Awesome!! I think you’re really going to like it, Annie! Hey! Nice name! 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Pizza dough chips and Italian nachos! This looks amazing! I love this idea, Annie!
Annie says
Thanks, Rachelle! This is a yummy fun one!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
I never would have thought to use baked pizza dough for the nachos! Brilliant! I’m swooning over this and the description of the rest of your meal in the North End. Yum!
Annie says
Exactly! That’s why Chels was really pushing for us to try them! So good! Thanks, Andrea!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
Oh my! Now, this is a nacho that I can definitely devour. I love the Mexican version, but the Italian one might’ve stolen my heart. Annie – This is a fantastic twist.
Annie says
Oh yes! This ‘ll do it! Thanks, friend!
Joanne says
Ummm I think I’m in love. The cheese! the hot peppers! The PIZZA DOUGH NACHOS. Swooning.
Annie says
So so good!! The spice is key!! Thanks, Joanne!
Kathleen | HapaNom says
What a fabulous Italian twist, and just in time for Cinco de Mayo! Love this fusion dish, and I know I could and would each this entire plate all to myself! Is that bad? 😉
Annie says
Never bad! Never! Thanks, dear!
Amanda says
I love everything about these nachos! So creative!!!
Annie says
Thank you, Amanda!! 🙂