Description
Marry Me Pork Chops is a flavorful and creamy pork chop dish featuring a luscious tomato-cream sauce infused with garlic, herbs, and Pecorino Romano cheese. Pork chops are seared to a golden brown before being baked in a savory sauce topped with crunchy panko breadcrumbs and fresh basil, making it an impressive yet easy meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pork Chops and Seasoning
- 7-8 boneless pork chops
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Dash of salt and pepper
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dry oregano
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup cream, half and half, or milk
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano grated cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped basil (optional)
Topping
- 2 tablespoons Panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat and Sear: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Warm olive oil in a frying pan over low to medium heat. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper, then fry each chop for about 5-6 minutes per side until they develop a golden-brown color.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly oil a 13 x 9-inch casserole pan and arrange the seared pork chops in it, setting them aside while you prepare the sauce.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same frying pan, add the minced garlic, dry oregano, thyme, and crushed red pepper. Cook for about one minute until fragrant and lightly toasted, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth to the pan with the aromatics, scraping the bottom to loosen any browned bits for extra flavor.
- Mix Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the chopped tomatoes (or sun-dried tomatoes), cream (or half and half or milk), and parsley into the broth mixture, combining well.
- Add Cheese: Incorporate the grated Pecorino Romano into the sauce, stirring until it is melted and evenly distributed.
- Top Pork Chops: Sprinkle Panko bread crumbs evenly over the pork chops in the casserole dish. Optionally, scatter chopped basil on top for freshness and color.
- Pour Sauce Over Chops: Carefully pour the prepared sauce from the pan over the pork chops and Panko topping, ensuring even coverage.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes or until the pork chops are tender and cooked through. Check occasionally to make sure the sauce does not become overly thick; if necessary, add a splash of broth or cream to maintain desired consistency.
Notes
- If using thicker pork chops, adjust cooking time accordingly to ensure they are fully cooked through.
- For a spicier version, increase the amount of crushed red pepper or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Sun-dried tomatoes can add a deeper flavor compared to fresh chopped tomatoes.
- You can substitute Pecorino Romano with Parmesan cheese if preferred.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
