This pork chop and potato bake has been saving my weeknight dinners for the past five years. I started making it when Max was going through his "I only eat three foods" phase, and somehow this dish made both pork chop and potato bake work for him. What I love most is throwing everything into one dish and letting the oven do the work while I help with homework or fold laundry.
Why You'll Love This Pork Chop and Potato Bake
This recipe has made weeknight dinners so much simpler in our house. When I'm running around after work and Max needs help with his homework, I can get this in the oven in about 15 minutes and then forget about it. The pork chops stay tender instead of turning tough, and the potatoes actually have flavor instead of tasting like mush.
Max loves helping me layer the potatoes because he gets to arrange them however he wants in the pan. He's gotten pretty good at overlapping them so they cook right. The best part for busy families is that you can put this together in the morning, stick it in the fridge, and just bake it when you get home.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Pork Chop and Potato Bake
- What You Need for Perfect Pork Chop and Potato Bake
- How To Make Pork Chop and Potato Bake Step By Step
- Smart Swaps for Your Pork Chop and Potato Bake
- Fun Ways to Mix Up This Recipe
- Equipment For Pork Chop and Potato Bake
- Storing Your Pork Chop and Potato Bake
- Why This Recipe Works
- Top Tip
- The Recipe My Grandma Wouldn't Let Me Forget
- FAQ
- Time to Make This Family Favorite!
- Related
- Pairing
- pork chop and potato bake
What You Need for Perfect Pork Chop and Potato Bake
For the Pork:
- Bone-in pork chops
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
For the Potatoes:
- Russet potatoes
- Butter
- Milk or heavy cream
- Onion
- Salt
The Good Stuff:
- Shredded cheese
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Fresh thyme or dried herbs
Basic Tools:
- 9x13 baking dish
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Pork Chop and Potato Bake Step By Step
Get Everything Ready:
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Slice potatoes thin (about ¼ inch)
- Season pork chops with salt, pepper, and garlic powder
- Dice the onion
- Grease your baking dish
Layer the Potatoes:
- Arrange half the potato slices in the dish
- Dot with butter pieces
- Sprinkle some salt and the diced onion
- Add the rest of the potatoes
- Pour milk over everything (just enough to barely cover)
Add the Pork:
- Place seasoned pork chops on top of potatoes
- Spoon cream of mushroom soup over each chop
- Sprinkle paprika on top
- Cover with foil
Bake It:
- 45 minutes covered
- Remove foil, add cheese
- Bake 15 more minutes until cheese melts and pork is done
- Let it sit 5 minutes before serving
Smart Swaps for Your Pork Chop and Potato Bake
Pork Changes:
- Bone-in chops → Boneless (cook 10 minutes less)
- Thick chops → Thin chops (reduce baking time)
- Pork chops → Chicken thighs
- Regular → Pork tenderloin sliced thick
Potato Options:
- Russet → Red potatoes
- Fresh → Frozen hash browns (thawed)
- Regular → Sweet potatoes
- Sliced → Small whole potatoes (halved)
Creamy Swaps:
- Heavy cream → Regular milk
- Cream of mushroom → Cream of chicken soup
- Canned soup → Sour cream mixed with broth
- Dairy → Coconut milk for dairy-free
Cheese Choices:
- Cheddar → Swiss or mozzarella
- Shredded → Sliced cheese
- Regular → Low-fat cheese
- Dairy → Skip the cheese entirely
Fun Ways to Mix Up This Recipe
Mexican Style:
- Add diced jalapeños with the onions
- Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar
- Season pork with cumin and chili powder
- Serve with salsa on the side
Herb Garden:
- Fresh rosemary and thyme on the pork
- Add sliced mushrooms with the potatoes
- Use gruyere cheese
- Finish with fresh parsley
BBQ Version:
- Brush pork chops with barbecue sauce
- Mix in diced bell peppers
- Use sharp cheddar
- Add a bit of smoked paprika
Comfort Classic:
- Layer in green beans from a can
- Use cream of celery soup
- Top with crushed crackers instead of cheese
- Add frozen corn if Max is in a good mood
Equipment For Pork Chop and Potato Bake
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Sharp knife for slicing potatoes
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups
- Aluminum foil
Storing Your Pork Chop and Potato Bake
Same Day Storage:
- Let it cool for about 30 minutes before covering
- Cover with foil or plastic wrap
- Keep at room temperature for up to 2 hours max
- After that, it needs to go in the fridge
Fridge Storage (3-4 days):
- Cool completely first
- Cover tightly with foil
- Reheat individual portions in the microwave
- Add a splash of milk if it looks dry when reheating
Freezer Storage (2 months):
- Cool completely and wrap really well
- Label with the date because I always forget when I made things
- Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating
- The potatoes get a little mushy after freezing but it's still edible
Reheating Tips:
- Oven at 350°F works best for big portions
- Cover with foil so the top doesn't burn
- Microwave is fine for single servings
- Check that the pork is heated all the way through
Why This Recipe Works
This pork chop and potato bake succeeds because it solves the main problems that usually ruin this type of dish. Most casseroles either dry out the meat or leave you with raw potatoes, but this method fixes both issues.
The key is timing everything right. By partially cooking the potatoes first (either by microwaving them briefly or slicing them thin enough), they get a head start while the pork chops cook at their own pace. The foil cover traps steam from the potatoes and keeps the pork chop and potato bake from drying out - it's like creating a little oven inside your oven.
Top Tip
- My dad taught me this trick when I was about Max's age, and it changed how this dish tastes. Instead of just seasoning the pork chop and potato bake on top, he showed me how to make little cuts in the fat around the edges. Not deep cuts that go into the meat, just tiny snips about every inch or so.
- This keeps the pork chops from curling up while they cook, so they stay flat against the potatoes and cook more evenly. But the real magic happens because those little cuts let the pork chop and potato bake fat render out and flavor the potatoes underneath. Max thinks this step is boring, but he always notices when I forget to do it because the pork chops end up all curled and weird-looking.
- My other trick came from making this recipe too many times when I was tired. I started putting the potatoes in the microwave for 3-4 minutes before layering them in the dish. They're not cooked all the way, just softened a bit. This means everything finishes cooking at the same time instead of having raw potatoes when the pork chop and potato bake is done.
The Recipe My Grandma Wouldn't Let Me Forget
My grandmother never wrote anything down, which drove my mom crazy when she was trying to learn how to cook. But this pork chop and potato bake was the one recipe Grandma made sure I knew by heart before she passed away. She'd make me watch her do it every Sunday for months, testing me on each step.
"You don't measure love," she'd tell me, but then she'd make sure I understood exactly how much cream soup to use and how thick to slice the potatoes. She was sneaky like that - acting like cooking was all instinct while secretly teaching me the precise techniques that made her food so good.
FAQ
How to know if a baked pork chop is done?
The best way is using a meat thermometer - pork chops are done at 145°F internal temperature. If you don't have one, cut into the thickest part and check that there's no pink. The juices should run clear, not pink or red.
How long to cook pork chops in the oven with potatoes?
For this pork chop and potato bake, it takes about 60 minutes total at 375°F - 45 minutes covered with foil, then 15 more minutes uncovered with cheese. Thicker chops might need an extra 10-15 minutes.
How long does a pork chop take to bake?
By themselves, bone-in pork chops take 20-25 minutes at 375°F, but in this casserole they need longer because they're cooking with the potatoes. The layered method takes about an hour but keeps everything moist.
How to keep pork chops from drying out when baking?
Cover with foil for most of the cooking time, use bone-in chops if possible, and don't overcook them. The cream soup and steam from the potatoes in this recipe help keep the meat juicy throughout the baking process.
Time to Make This Family Favorite!
Now you have all the tricks to make perfect pork chop and potato bake from Dad's edge-cutting technique to the microwave potato shortcut. This recipe has gotten our family through countless busy weeknights when I needed something that actually works without much fuss.
Want more easy dinner ideas? Try our The Best Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe that cooks everything in one skillet. Need something the kids will definitely eat? Our Delicious Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe is always a hit. For nights when you want to set it and forget it, check out our Easy Cheesy Pizza Pockets Recipe that practically makes itself.
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Pairing
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pork chop and potato bake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat oven, slice potatoes, season pork, dice onion, grease dish.
- Add potatoes with butter, onion, salt, pour milk.
- Place pork chops, top with soup, sprinkle paprika, cover.
- Bake covered, then uncover with cheese until golden.
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