Name: Smothered Baked Pork Chops
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds pork chops (bone-in adds extra flavor); 1/4 cup Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 2 tablespoons salted butter; 5 tablespoons honey; 1 teaspoon freshly chopped rosemary; salt and pepper (to taste)

These Smothered Baked Pork Chops come slathered with a savory honey-mustard sauce, flavored with garlic, rosemary and butter. This recipe makes juicy, tender chops with a perfect balance of sweet and savory notes that’s sure to be a hit at any dinner table. Pair them with your choice of sides, such as fluffy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad to create a full, satisfying meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Tender and juicy: The pork chops are baked in a delicious honey-mustard sauce, which keeps them moist and juicy and helps prevent the common pitfall of dry pork.

Easy Prep: With a few ingredients and even fewer steps, this recipe cooks up quickly but is fancy enough to serve to guests.

Loaded With Flavor: The sauce is rich and balanced, thanks to the combination of Dijon mustard, honey and garlic; a bit of rosemary gives it a fresh, herbaceous laying.

Minimal Cleanup: This is a one-pan meal, which means there are fewer dishes to wash when you’re done cooking!

Key Ingredients:

Pork Chops: Bone-in pork chops have more juiciness over boneless chops, but you can use boneless if you want. Just keep in mind that boneless cuts will cook a little more quickly, so check in on temperature early.

Honey: If you don’t have honey, you can use maple syrup, which is a tasty substitute that imparts its own distinct sweetness.

Rosemary: Fresh rosemary adds wonderful flavor; you can substitute dried rosemary if necessary. You could also substitute it for thyme or sage for an herbaceous note different from the one here.

Dijon Mustard: Spicy brown or whole grain mustard are great substitutes for the Dijon.

Full ingredients list with amounts and instructions are in the recipe card below

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Instructions:

Step 1: Prep the Chops

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), as this will ensure that the oven is at the right temperature for even baking.

Prepare the Baking Dish:

Grease a baking dish lightly so that the pork chops don’t stick and you don’t have to clean the dish.

Season the Pork Chops:

Season the pork chops generously on both sides with salt and pepper.

Place the seasoned pork chops, in a single layer, in the greased baking dish.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

Combine Sauce Ingredients:

In a small bowl: whisk together

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon minced garlic

5 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon of freshly chopped rosemary

2 tablespoons salted butter

Melt the Butter:

Microwave the mixture 30 seconds, or until the butter is fully melted. This allows for the sauce ingredients to blend together nicely.

Stir the Sauce:

Stir well to combine all of the ingredients into a rich, smooth sauce. The honey and mustard and butter should coalesce to achieve a great balance of flavor.

Step 3: Dress the Chops

Apply Half of the Sauce:

Drizzle half of the honey-mustard sauce over the pork chops, spreading it evenly over their surface with the back of a spoon.

Flip and Repeat:

Turn the pork chops over to cover the other side with the remaining saucemaking sure to cover it completely.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Bake the Pork Chops:

Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. The idea is for the pork chops to be cooked, tender and juicy.

Check for Doneness:

30 minutes later, check your pork chops internal temperature with a meat thermometer. For perfectly cooked pork, it should be 145°F (63°C).

Add extra 5-10 minutes for doneness, if the chops are still too raw.

Step 5: Serve with Style

Let the Pork Chops Rest:

Take the baking dish from the oven and let the pork chops sit for a few minutes. This allows the juices redistribute, resulting in moist, flavorful meat.

Plate and Add Sauce:

Plate each pork chop, drizzling the remaining honey-mustard sauce from the baking dish over the top for added flavor and moisture.

Serving Suggestions:

These Smothered Baked Pork Chops are delightful versatile and delicious with a range of side dishes with respect to a meal. Here are a few ideas:

Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic pairing that complements the rich, tangy sauce.

Roasted Vegetables: Pair with roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or green beans for a healthy, colorful side.

Rice Pilaf: A basic rice pilaf or even wild rice is great for mopping up the extra sauce.

Buttered Noodles: For an easy, kid-friendly option, serve the chops atop buttered noodles.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips:

Refrigerate: Place leftover pork chops in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. Warm in a 325° (160°) oven, or in the microwave, until heated through.

Freeze: You can freeze the cooked pork chops, wrapping them individually in foil or putting them in a freezer-safe container. Store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat before serving.

Meal Prep Tip: The honey-mustard sauce can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. And it helps prep the dish when you’re ready to bake.

Recipe Variations:

Herb-Crusted Pork Chops: For a crispier finish, coat the chops in a mixture of breadcrumbs and herbs before baking and then broil them for a few minutes at the end to brown the top.

Maple-Mustard Glaze: Use maple syrup instead of honey for a rich, autumnal twist on the sauce.

Spicy Touch: You can use crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce in the honey-mustard sauce as a homemade sweet and spicy variation.

Conclusion:

These Smothered Baked Pork Chops are gonna be a family favorite y’all, with their tender, juicy texture, and positively appetizing, secret ingredient honey-mustard sauce. Whether you set this recipe on the table for a cozy weeknight dinner or serve it to a group for a special gathering, it’s a dish that never fails.