This dish combines succulent garlic butter pork chops with a rich, cheesy potato bake, creating a perfect meal for family dinners or cozy evenings. The garlic butter enhances the pork chops and blends beautifully with the creamy, layered potatoes and cheese, making each bite a delightful experience.
Ingredients
For the Pork Chops:
- 4 bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch thick
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
For the Cheesy Potato Bake:
- 4-5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. Start preparing the potatoes by melting butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook until they are translucent and slightly caramelized, which takes about 5-7 minutes. Stir in garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the prepared baking dish, top with half of the onions, and sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat this layering with the remaining potatoes, onions, and cheese.
For the sauce, combine milk and sour cream in a saucepan and warm it over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent curdling. Once warmed, pour this mixture evenly over the layered potatoes. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the potatoes to start softening.
While the potatoes are baking, season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the pork chops until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the pork chops from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add two tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and fresh thyme, cooking until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Return the pork chops to the skillet, spooning the aromatic garlic butter sauce over them.
Remove the foil from the potato dish, place the browned pork chops on top of the potatoes, and pour over any remaining garlic butter sauce. Return the dish to the oven and bake, uncovered, for an additional 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the pork chops are cooked through to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and the cheese to firm slightly. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve the pork chops alongside the cheesy potato bake for a complete, mouthwatering meal.
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