This simple baked supper is the kind of thrifty, filling meal that has kept families well-fed for generations. Pork chops bake right on top of canned great northern beans, and as the meat cooks, its savory drippings season the beans underneath so they turn rich and comforting with hardly any work. It is the sort of old-fashioned oven dinner that makes sense on a busy day, especially when you want something hearty with just a few pantry staples.
Serve these pork chops and beans with buttered bread, a pan of cornbread, or simple mashed potatoes if you want to stretch the meal even further. A crisp side salad, cooked green beans, or applesauce makes a nice contrast to the richness of the pork, and for Sunday dinner I like to set out a jar of chow-chow or pickles for a bright little bite alongside.
Oven Baked 3-Ingredient Pork Chops with Canned Great Northern Beans
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 bone-in pork chops, about 3/4 to 1 inch thick
2 cans (15.5 ounces each) great northern beans, drained
1 packet (1 ounce) dry onion soup mix
Directions
1. Heat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a medium casserole dish or 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Spread the drained great northern beans evenly in the prepared baking dish, then sprinkle the dry onion soup mix all over the top.
3. Arrange the pork chops on top of the beans in a single layer. Cover the dish tightly with foil.
4. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for 20 to 25 minutes more, or until the pork chops are cooked through and nicely browned and the beans are hot and bubbling around the edges.
5. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving so the beans can settle and soak up even more of the pork juices. Spoon plenty of beans onto each plate with a pork chop on top.
Variations & Tips
For extra creaminess: Stir 1/4 to 1/2 cup chicken broth or a few spoonfuls of cream of mushroom soup into the beans before adding the pork chops if your family likes a softer, saucier bean mixture.
For picky eaters: Use boneless pork chops if that is easier for your table, and spoon a little of the beans on the side rather than underneath the chop so everyone can try the dish their own way.
For more flavor: Add a little black pepper, garlic powder, or a pinch of smoked paprika, even though the basic three-ingredient version is delicious just as it is.
To keep the pork tender: Choose chops that are at least 3/4 inch thick and avoid overbaking. Pork is done when it reaches 145°F in the center, followed by a short rest.
To stretch the meal: Add a sliced onion under the beans or serve the dish over rice, mashed potatoes, or toast to make those savory juices go even further.