Some of the best budget meals are the ones that know how to stretch a few simple ingredients into something filling and comforting, and this oven baked 3-ingredient pork chops with canned hominy recipe does exactly that. It has that practical, old-school casserole feel that makes perfect sense for busy weeknights and lean grocery weeks: pork chops bake right over canned hominy so the pan juices flavor every bite, and dinner comes out hearty, warm, and surprisingly satisfying with hardly any prep.
Serve these pork chops and hominy with a simple green salad, buttered green beans, or cooked cabbage if you want to round out the plate without spending much more. A piece of cornbread or plain dinner rolls works especially well for soaking up the savory juices in the dish, and applesauce or sliced tomatoes on the side give it that classic home-cooked balance.
Oven Baked 3-Ingredient Pork Chops with Canned Hominy
Servings: 4 to 6
Ingredients
4 to 6 bone-in or boneless pork chops, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick
2 cans white hominy, drained
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or use a vintage amber casserole dish if you have one.
2. Spread the drained hominy evenly in the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle about half of the dry onion soup mix over the hominy.
3. Arrange the pork chops on top of the hominy in a single layer. Sprinkle the remaining onion soup mix evenly over the pork chops.
4. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 15 to 20 minutes more, or until the pork chops are cooked through and the top is lightly browned.
5. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices settle back into the hominy. Spoon the hominy onto plates and top with a pork chop and plenty of the pan juices.
Variations & Tips
Add a little moisture: If your pork chops are on the lean side, pour in 1/4 to 1/2 cup water or chicken broth around the hominy before baking. It helps keep the dish extra juicy and gives you more flavorful pan sauce.
Use thick chops carefully: Thicker pork chops work well here, but they may need a little longer in the oven. Check for doneness with a thermometer and cook until the center reaches 145°F, then let them rest briefly before serving.
Make it more filling: To stretch this meal even further, serve it with rice, mashed potatoes, or cornbread. That was always the trick with frugal family meals in my house—use the pan juices to flavor a simple starch and nobody leaves the table hungry.
Swap the hominy: If hominy is not a regular pantry item for you, canned sliced potatoes or cooked rice can stand in, though hominy gives the dish its most traditional texture and that mellow, corn-like flavor.