Description
Heavenly Smothered Pork Chop and Scalloped Potato Delight is a comforting, savory casserole that combines tender, seared pork chops layered with creamy scalloped potatoes, sautéed onions, garlic, and a rich cheese sauce. Baked to perfection, this dish offers a hearty, flavorful meal perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 4 pieces Pork Chops (bone-in preferred for flavor)
Vegetables
- 3 cups Russet Potatoes (can substitute with Yukon Gold)
- 1 medium Onion (chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 cup Vegetables (Spinach, Mushrooms)
Dairy & Fats
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese (or Gruyère for elevated taste)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil or Butter
Liquids & Broth
- 2 cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth
Seasonings & Spices
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Fresh Thyme or Rosemary (recommended)
- 1 teaspoon Spices (Smoked Paprika, Cajun Seasoning)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready when your casserole is assembled.
- Season and Sear Pork Chops: Season the pork chops generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork chops for 3-4 minutes on each side until nicely browned, then remove from heat.
- Prepare Potatoes: Thinly slice the russet potatoes. Lightly grease a casserole dish and layer half of the potato slices evenly on the bottom.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same skillet, sauté chopped onions until translucent and fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook briefly, then stir in the heavy cream to create a rich sauce.
- Assemble Initial Layers: Pour half of this onion-garlic cream sauce over the potato layer. Arrange the seared pork chops on top of the potatoes and sauce.
- Add Remaining Potatoes and Sauce: Layer the remaining potatoes over the pork chops. Pour the remaining onion-garlic cream sauce evenly over the entire casserole.
- Add Cheese and Vegetables: Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top and add your choice of vegetables like spinach or mushrooms evenly for added texture and flavor.
- Season and Cover: Add your selected herbs such as fresh thyme or rosemary, plus the smoked paprika or Cajun seasoning to bring a smoky, spicy twist. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the covered casserole in the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour to cook the potatoes and infuse flavors.
- Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the foil carefully and bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes to brown the cheese and crisp the top layer.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting time helps the layers set for easier slicing and serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Yukon Gold potatoes can be used instead of russet for creamier texture.
- Use bone-in pork chops for better flavor retention.
- Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary enhance the dish’s aroma and taste.
- Searing the pork chops before baking locks in juices and adds a rich crust.
- Allowing the casserole to rest before serving helps the layers firm up.
- Vegetables such as spinach or mushrooms add extra nutrition and heartiness.
