When a supper needs to be simple, filling, and dependable, these oven baked 3-ingredient parmesan crusted pork chops are just the kind of meal that earns a permanent place in the family recipe box. This is the sort of thrifty Midwestern cooking I have always admired: a handful of pantry staples, a good cut of meat, and an oven doing the work while you tend to the rest of the evening. The parmesan forms a savory, crisp little coat that keeps the pork juicy inside, and it turns an ordinary weeknight into something that feels special without much fuss at all.
These pork chops are mighty good with mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, green beans, sweet corn, or a simple garden salad. If you want to brighten the plate, a wedge of lemon or a side of applesauce makes a fine companion, and for a heartier Sunday-style supper, serve them alongside roasted potatoes and a warm dinner roll.
Oven Baked 3-Ingredient Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 boneless pork chops, about 1 inch thick
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet or shallow pan with foil for easy cleanup, and lightly pat the pork chops dry with paper towels.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and grated parmesan until well combined into a thick spread.
3. Spread the parmesan mixture evenly over the top of each pork chop, covering them well from edge to edge.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pork chops are cooked through and the topping is golden brown and bubbling at the edges. If you like a deeper color, broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
5. Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices settle back into the meat.
Variations & Tips
Use thicker chops: Pork chops around 1 inch thick stay much juicier than very thin ones. Thin chops can dry out before the crust has time to turn nicely golden.
Choose your parmesan wisely: Finely grated parmesan gives the most even crust. The shelf-stable kind works in a pinch, but freshly grated parmesan will give you a richer flavor and a prettier finish.
Add a little seasoning if you like: Even though this recipe shines with just 3 ingredients, a pinch of black pepper, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning can be stirred into the topping without changing the easy spirit of the dish.
Make it with bone-in chops: Bone-in pork chops work too, though they may need a few extra minutes in the oven. Use a meat thermometer and cook until the center reaches 145°F, then let them rest before serving.
Turn it into chicken: This same topping is lovely on boneless chicken breasts or thighs. Just adjust the baking time as needed depending on the thickness of the meat.
