6 Easy Dinners With Pork Chops and Potatoes
Pork chops and potatoes is a meat-and-potatoes classic that does not need a special occasion. These six use pantry basics and most take 30 to 40 minutes.
1. Sheet pan pork chops and potatoes
Time: 35 min · Also need: olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, green beans
The whole dinner on one pan.
Heat the oven to 425°F. Toss 1½ lb cubed potatoes with oil and seasoning and roast 15 minutes.
Add 4 seasoned boneless chops (about 1 inch thick) and green beans to the pan.
Roast 15 to 18 minutes until the chops reach 145°F. Let them rest 3 minutes before cutting.
Thinner chops cook faster. Start checking at 10 minutes.
2. Smothered pork chops
Time: 35 min · Also need: onion, flour, broth, mashed potatoes
Tender chops in onion gravy, spooned over mashed potatoes.
Boil and mash 2 lb potatoes with butter and milk.
Season 4 chops, dust with flour and brown 3 minutes a side. Set aside.
Cook a sliced onion in the pan, stir in 2 tbsp flour and 1½ cups broth. Return the chops and simmer covered 8 to 10 minutes until 145°F.
Scrape up the brown bits in the pan. That is where the gravy flavor comes from.
3. Garlic butter pork chops and potatoes
Time: 30 min · Also need: butter, garlic, thyme or Italian seasoning
A one-skillet dinner with a buttery garlic finish.
Microwave 1½ lb halved baby potatoes for 5 minutes, then brown in oil in a large skillet until golden. Set aside.
Sear 4 seasoned chops 4 to 5 minutes a side until 145°F.
Add the potatoes back with 3 tbsp butter, 3 garlic cloves and herbs. Spoon the butter over everything for 1 minute.
Pat the chops dry before seasoning for a better sear.
4. Ranch pork chop and potato bake
Time: 45 min · Also need: a packet of ranch seasoning, butter
Three ingredients and the oven does the rest.
Heat the oven to 400°F. Place 4 chops and 1½ lb quartered potatoes in a baking dish.
Sprinkle with a packet of ranch seasoning and dot with 3 tbsp butter.
Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes, then uncover and bake 10 to 15 more until the potatoes are tender and the chops reach 145°F.
Add carrots alongside the potatoes for color.
5. Honey mustard pork chops with roasted potatoes
Time: 35 min · Also need: honey, mustard, garlic
Sweet, tangy and kid-approved.
Roast 1½ lb cubed potatoes at 425°F for 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, sear 4 chops 4 minutes a side.
Stir together 3 tbsp honey and 2 tbsp mustard, brush it on the chops and finish them in the oven 5 minutes until 145°F.
Dijon gives more bite. Yellow mustard is milder.
6. Pork chop and potato skillet hash
Time: 30 min · Also need: onion, bell pepper, paprika
A great way to use up leftover chops.
Dice 1½ lb potatoes and cook covered in oil over medium heat 10 minutes, then uncovered until crisp.
Add a diced onion and bell pepper and cook 5 minutes.
Stir in 2 cups diced cooked pork chop and paprika until hot. Top with a fried egg if you like.
Raw chops work too. Dice them small and cook them first.
Quick answers
What temperature should pork chops be cooked to?
The USDA recommends 145°F (63°C), followed by a 3-minute rest. A little pink in the center is safe at that temperature.
Why are my pork chops dry?
They were likely overcooked. Pull them at 145°F, and choose chops about 1 inch thick.
Bone-in or boneless?
Bone-in chops stay juicier and have more flavor but take a few minutes longer. Boneless are quicker and easy to cut for kids.
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