Pork chops casserole with herbs and integral rice is prepared easily with a few ingredients but with maximum flavor and comfort.
Pork chops are a great meat selection for the casserole because it is tasty, tender and versatile. Moreover, the pork chops are rather inexpensive meat with guaranteed results. A casserole is always a good idea for a big family gathering because it is prepared in no time with minimum effort. Also, the leftovers can be reheated the next day and enjoyed with a fresh salad. Pork chops casserole is a perfect recipe for the older ones as well as for the kids. When there’s someone who disliked the meat, the moist rice soaks in all the flavors and can be served to anyone.
Whenever I’m out of time when expecting guests, a casserole is my first option. My guests were conquered by the Creamy Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe, Velvety Spinach, Feta & Zucchini Casserole, Cheese Salmon Casserole, and the Comforting Keto Broccoli Cheese Casserole.
Ingredients for the pork chops casserole
The best part of any casserole is that you have the choice to add or skip any ingredient you wish. For this exact recipe, I have chosen the rice to complement the pork chops because they go so well together. However, you may substitute rice with potatoes or couscous. Also, I added mushrooms because again, I find this combo exquisite and I just adore the earthy scent the mushrooms add to any dish. Also, to add creaminess and to perfectly bind the ingredients, I used heavy cream, however, you can add only broth and it will work just fine. As you can see this casserole is very versatile and can be adapted to your own tastes and preferences.
For the casserole to be more flavorful, don’t skip the garlic, the smoked paprika, and some Italian herbs. These will enrich any dish, I like to call them the character, the soul of the recipes.
The ingredients can be found easily, they are not expensive, yet, they will feed a family of six. Here is the list of the ingredients for the delicious and easy pork chops casserole:
- Pork chops, 1 per person with a good appetite, or 1 pork chop for 2 people. You can use both pork chops with bose or boneless.
- Integral rice, or wild rice, 1 cup
- Mushrooms, champignons, or oyster mushrooms. 2 cups chopped mushrooms
- Heavy cream, 1 cup
- Broth or water, 1 cup
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Italian herbs
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 cup grated parmesan or any other cheese to coat the top of the casserole
Again, you can add or skip any ingredient, however, this is the combination that has great success anytime served.
How to prepare the pork chops casserole?
If I had to use an expression to define the process, that would be “easy peasy”. Indeed, the pork chops casserole is prepared in no time and with no fuss. There is nothing for you to marinate, saute, fry, nor boil. The hardest part of the recipe is to peel the garlic cloves. Can you imagine how easy this recipe is? Just preheat the oven at 350 degrees and within a couple of minutes, the casserole is ready to be baked. The heat will do the job, all the hard work is on the stove.
Follow a few simple steps and I promise you will save and redo this recipe over again because it is just too good and too easy not to be made.
Gather all the ingredients and grab a baking dish. If you have a baking dish with a lid – that’s even better. I’ll explain a bit later why the lid is needed.
Pour the rice into the dish, add the chopped mushrooms, the crushed garlic cloves, the spices and pour over the heavy cream and the broth or water.
Finally, season the pork chops with salt and pepper and add them on top of the composition. Press in the meat so that the chops are lined with everything else. The meat needs moisture to be prepared evenly.
Why cover casserole with lid or aluminium foil?
Cover the baking dish with a lid or with some aluminum foil. That ensures faster cooking because the lid/aluminum foil will keep in the heat and the steam that comes out of the food. Also, it has a moistening effect due to the continuous seatimg. Thus, all the payers of the casserole will cook simultaneously, including the top layer of pork chops.
Bake the casserole covered with lid or foil for 40 minutes ar 400 degrees then remove the foil, spread the cheese on top of the composition and let bake for another 15 minutes or until golden brown on top.
How to serve the pork chops casserole?
Take the casserole out of the oven, let it rest for about 10 minutes and serve it. Put one pork chop on a serving plate, spoon some flavored rice next to the meat and start devouring it.
This dish is copious and it is best accompanied by fresh salads such as Roasted Beet Salad with Carrots and Nuts, Roasted Bell Pepper Salad with Feta Cheese, Healthy and Vegetarian Salad Bowl, or the Succulent Country Style Tomato Salad. Also, remember that any tasty dish can become a perfect culinary experience when combined with the right wine, and matching the wine with the food is a first condition to have a delicious meal. The righ wine for pork is the red dry wine such as Pinot Noir or Tempranillo.
Pork Chops Casserole Easy Recipe
Equipment
- baking dish with lid
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops
- 1 cup rice integral
- 2 cups mushrooms chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup broth or water
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp herbs Italian
Instructions
- Preheat oven at 350 degrees
- Mix the rice, heavy cream, broth, mashed garlic, chopped mushrooms, and spices in the baking dish
- Season the pork chops with salt and pepper
- Add the pork chops on top, press them for an even surface
- Cover with lid or aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for 40 minutes
- After 40 minutes take off the lid and sprinkle 1 cup of cheese on top
- Bake for another 10-15 minutes or until golden brown
- Serve next to a salad
