Where Did Nacho Cheese Pizza Rolls Go?

Totino's Nacho Cheesy Pizza Rolls are a snack food item that combines pizza and nachos. They are triangle-shaped pizza rolls filled with nacho-inspired ingredients such as taco-seasoned chicken, beef, red bell peppers, jalapeños, and cheddar cheese in a crispy crust. While the product has received mixed reviews, with some criticizing the lack of flavour and minimal filling, others have praised the unique `nacho pocket' concept and the magic of finding cheese at the bottom of the roll. The product appears to still be available, with some suggesting adding toppings such as shredded cheese, dip, melted butter, and hot sauce to enhance the flavour.

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Totino's™ Pizza Rolls™

Totino's Pizza Rolls have been a popular frozen snack for decades, offering bite-sized pizza flavours with a crisp exterior and a melting interior. Created by Rose and Jim Totino, the founders of the Totino's pizza brand, these snacks first appeared in freezer aisles in the 1970s and quickly became a hit, especially among children.

However, in recent years, loyal fans have noticed significant changes to the recipe, sparking disappointment and a sense of betrayal among devotees. The original Totino's Pizza Rolls were known for their generous filling of real mozzarella cheese and pepperoni, resulting in a hearty and flavourful snack. In contrast, the new recipe is perceived as having a skimpier filling, with less cheese and pepperoni, and a higher proportion of sauce and cheaper ingredients.

The dough itself has also transformed from a flaky and crisp texture to a softer and cheaper-feeling one. This alteration in texture is speculated to be due to the addition of more processed flours or gums. The pepperoni flavour, once bold and distinct, now appears muted, with visibly fewer pepperoni pieces.

Ingredient labels reveal the presence of additional preservatives and additives, such as sodium nitrate, yeast extract, and natural flavours, which were absent from the original recipe. These changes have led to a noticeable difference in taste, with the iconic cheesy, pepperoni pizza flavour now much less pronounced. Fans lament the loss of the nostalgic flavour they cherished for decades, and some have even resorted to scouring eBay and obscure grocery stores in search of the original 1970s recipe.

In 2016, Totino's attempted to cater to their devoted fans by reintroducing the Totino's Stuffed Nachos, another snack from the 1990s. While this reintroduction was welcomed, some noted differences in the new version, including a crust that tasted more like a tortilla than the original Pizza Rolls crust.

Taco-seasoned chicken and beef toppings

For a delicious and easy weeknight meal, try making some taco-seasoned chicken or beef toppings for your nacho cheese pizza rolls! This recipe is a fun twist on traditional tacos and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• Totino's™ Pizza Rolls™ frozen cheese pizza snacks
• Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix
• Cheese
• Green chile queso
• Fresh taco toppings of your choice (e.g. pico de gallo, salsa, guacamole, pickled cabbage, avocado sauce, etc.)
• Chicken thighs or breasts (boneless and skinless)
• Olive oil
• Lime juice
• Taco seasoning (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper)
• Beef (ground or shredded)

Instructions:

Start by preparing the pizza rolls. Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a 15x10x1-inch pan with parchment paper. Place the frozen pizza snacks in a large resealable food storage plastic bag and add the taco seasoning mix. Seal the bag and shake to coat the snacks evenly. Spread the seasoned pizza snacks in a single layer on the prepared pan and bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until heated through.

While the pizza snacks are baking, prepare the chicken and beef toppings. For the chicken, cut the meat into cubes and place them in a zip-top bag with olive oil, lime juice, and taco seasoning. Shake to coat the chicken evenly. Sauté the seasoned chicken in olive oil over medium heat until cooked through. Remove from the heat and set aside.

For the beef, sauté the ground beef over medium heat until cooked through. Drain the excess fat and return the beef to low heat. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and mix well. Add 1/3 cup of water or broth and let the mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes, adding more water if needed.

Once the pizza snacks are done, remove them from the oven and push them together until they are touching. Pour the warm cheese and green chile queso mixture on top, and add your desired taco toppings. Serve the chicken and beef toppings alongside the nacho cheese pizza rolls, and enjoy!

Feel free to get creative with your toppings and seasonings, and adjust the spice level to your preference. You can also serve these pizza rolls with a variety of sauces, such as salsa or guacamole, on the side for dipping. Enjoy your tasty creation!

Lack of flavour

One of the main issues with Totino's Nacho Cheese Pizza Rolls is the lack of flavour. In a review of the product, one user commented that "the idea of a 'nacho pocket' isn't a bad one, but execution on this offering lacks". They go on to say that the appeal of Totino's Pizza Rolls is that they "explode", and the Nacho Cheese variation doesn't have the same effect.

Another review of Totino's Supreme Stuffed Nachos, which are described as "triangle pizza roll [s] filled with nacho-inspired ingredients", states that "you can't taste ANY of it". The review elaborates that there was no heat from the jalapeño, no sweetness from the red bell pepper, and no flavour from the chicken or beef. The only flavour that was detected was a "corn-tasting" shell, which was not similar to an actual corn tortilla or corn chip.

A review of Totino's queso-flavoured pizza rolls also mentions a lack of flavour, with the reviewer stating that the filling wasn't noticeable and that the cheese "diffused through the roll". This suggests that the nacho cheese flavour of Totino's Pizza Rolls may not be strong or distinct enough, contributing to a general lack of flavour in the product.

While some users have found the lack of flavour and explosion unappealing, others have suggested ways to enhance the taste. One reviewer recommends topping the rolls with shredded cheese, dip, melted butter, or hot sauce to improve their flavour. This suggests that while the nacho cheese flavour may be lacking, it can be enhanced through additional toppings or dips.

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Poor nutrition rating

Totino's Nacho Cheese Pizza Rolls have received criticism for their poor nutrition rating. While the product combines two popular snack foods—pizza and nachos—into a convenient, easy-to-eat roll, it falls short in terms of nutritional value.

One review highlights that Consumer Reports rated Totino's as "only fair for nutrition." This assessment is reflected in the product's ingredients and nutritional composition. The rolls are heavily processed and likely contain a range of additives and preservatives to enhance their taste, texture, and shelf life.

The triangle-shaped pizza rolls are described as being filled with "nacho-inspired ingredients," including taco-seasoned chicken and beef, red bell peppers, jalapeños, and cheddar cheese, all encased in a crispy crust. However, reviewers have noted a disconnect between the promised ingredients and the actual taste. The individual flavors of these ingredients are reportedly hard to discern, and the overall nutritional value is questionable.

While the product may be appealing to those seeking a quick, convenient, and indulgent snack, it is important to recognize that it is likely high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium. As such, it should be consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet that includes a variety of whole, unprocessed foods.

To improve the nutritional profile of this snack, consumers could consider adding their own fresh toppings, such as pico de gallo, shredded cheese, or dipping sauces, as suggested by some reviewers. This would increase the overall nutritional value of the snack by adding vitamins, minerals, and fiber from the fresh toppings.

Original vs. new recipe

Totino's Nacho Cheese Pizza Rolls are triangle-shaped pizza rolls filled with nacho-inspired ingredients. The original recipe for the pizza rolls featured a corn-tasting shell, with two yellow corn chips fused together with tex-mex goo in between. The new recipe, however, has a crispy crust and includes taco-seasoned chicken and beef pizza topping, red bell peppers, jalapeños, and cheddar cheese.

The original recipe had a crunchy texture, with a ribbed outside, and the cheese would often magically appear at the bottom of the rolls. The new recipe, on the other hand, lacks the explosion of cheese that the original offered, and the appeal seems to be lost because of this. The new recipe also has a different shape, with some rolls being much tinier than others.

The original recipe had a distinct corn flavor, while the new recipe has a more neutral-tasting shell. The new recipe also seems to be lacking in flavor overall, with the jalapeños and bell peppers failing to deliver their expected taste profiles. The new recipe also receives criticism for its minimal filling, with some reviewers suggesting topping them with shredded cheese, dip, melted butter, or hot sauce to enhance the flavor.

While the original recipe had a unique texture and flavor, the new recipe falls short in terms of taste and filling. The new recipe does, however, offer a crispier crust and a more substantial snack, especially when paired with additional toppings. The new recipe also provides a variation in the size of the rolls, which can be seen as a positive or negative change depending on individual preferences.

In conclusion, both the original and new recipes have their pros and cons. The original recipe offered a unique taste and texture experience, while the new recipe falls short in terms of flavor but provides a crispier and more varied snack.

Frequently asked questions