Pork chops with tomato sauce and cheese: Italian Pork Chops Recipe | Moms Who Think
Posted onItalian Pork Chops Recipe | Moms Who Think
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Pork chops make a great base for any dish, but it is the seasoning and additional ingredients that will set it apart.
When looking to add a flavor that makes your dish unique, the sky is the limit. You can add different seasonings and marinades to make the taste of your pork chops stand out. You can take inspiration from various palettes and ethnicities.
For this dish, we turned to the country of Italy for inspiration making a sort of pork chop parmesan, if you will. Read on to find out more about this dish and other ways to prepare pork chops for your family.
Italian Pork Chops
There are many ways you can give pork chops an Italian flavor. Some examples include seasoning them with Italian seasoning or breading them with Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.
For this dish, the Italian influence comes not only from the seasonings we use but the addition of sauce and cheese.
To make the dish, start with four pork chops and sprinkle both sides with garlic powder, oregano, celery salt, and pepper.
Place in a baking dish and cover with 1 (8 oz.) can of tomato sauce. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Then top with four slices of mozzarella cheese. Bake an additional 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
Although the addition of the cheese and sauce is what makes this dish distinctly Italian, it is also the oregano that gives it a great ethnic flavor.
Oregano is often used in Italian cooking because it pairs so well with tomato and tomato sauce. It is also beneficial to health and has been used in ancient medicine to treat the following afflictions:
- Toothaches
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Vomiting
It is also known for its antispasmodic, antiviral and antiseptic properties.
And while it is great to know that the addition of oregano in this dish makes it one you can feel good about serving your family, we love it for its exceptional taste that takes the recipe to the next level. Serve it with a side of spaghetti to make it authentically Italian.
Seasoned Pork Chops
Now we’ve discussed how the addition of oregano can give this recipe a truly Italian taste, but let’s take a look at some other ways you can flavor pork chops.
When seasoning pork chops, basically you will be making a dry rub. A dry rub is any mixture of herbs and spices applied to meat before cooking it that gives it an added flavor. A dry rub can include one herb or spice, or it can be a combination of several ingredients.
When applying a dry rub, you will want to do so firmly and be sure to get all sides of the meat. This will ensure that all the ingredients are absorbed.
Wait a while before cooking to let the seasonings sink is. 15 minutes is usually adequate but to really make sure meat is flavored, you can wait up to 2 hours.
Some also tenderize meat before seasoning. This involves taking a fork or a tenderizer and piercing small holes into the meat. This method really allows flavoring to absorb.
When thinking of the seasonings that work well with pork, here are a few that are recommended:
Cumin: This will give the meat a great smoky taste
Garlic: Garlic has a distinct taste that can be described as pungent and spicy
Paprika: Paprika will give the meat a mildly sweet taste but can also be mixed with chili pepper to add a kick.
Chili Powder: Chili powder is mild to moderately spicy and it will give your pork a bit of a kick.
Sage: Native to the Mediterranean, sage will give the pork a sweet and somewhat bitter yet nutty flavor.
Rosemary: Rosemary has a lemon pine flavor that can be described as nutty, woodsy and peppery.
Cayenne: Cayenne can be described as earthy, spicy, mild and sweet.
Thyme: Another spice that works well with tomatoes, thyme has a slightly minty flavor.
Coriander: Coriander gives food a light, sweet and slightly floral taste.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is a great way to add sweetness to your meat.
Clove: Cloves have a complicated flavor palette which can be described as strong, sweet, pungent, acidic, nutty and almost hot.
There are so many options when it comes to the preparation of pork chops, but one thing is for sure, they make the base of a delicious dish. What special ingredients will you be adding when you serve pork to your family tonight?
If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to check out our Maple-Pecan Pork Chops and our Sausage, Potato, and Cabbage Stir-Fry.
Italian Pork Chops Recipe
★★★★★
5 from 3 reviews
- Author: Moms Who Think
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
color h4-transform.text-transform»>Description
For this dish, the Italian influence comes not only from the seasonings we use but the addition of sauce and cheese.
- 4 pork chops
- Garlic powder, oregano, celery salt and pepper to taste
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
- Sprinkle pork chops on both sides with seasonings.
- Place in 8×8 inch baking dish.
- Cover with tomato sauce.
- Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.
- Top with cheese.
- Bake for 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 60 Minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
color»>Keywords: italian pork chops, seasoned pork chops
Baked Boneless Pork Chops in Tomato Sauce
Baked Boneless Pork Chops in Tomato Sauce is a high-protein recipe you’ll find yourself making over and over again. These pork chops are juicy, tender, and full of flavor!
These are truly the best baked boneless pork chops I’ve ever tried! I might be a little biased because it’s a recipe from my childhood, but if you try them, I think you’ll agree.
My mom would drown the pork chops in this rich tomato, onion, and cheese sauce, and they were absolutely divine!
Table of Contents
Why you should make this recipe
The best thing about these oven baked pork chops is that every step of the cooking method ensures tender, juicy pork chops that are full of flavor.
They also have a great nutritional profile. Each serving contains 352 calories, 15 grams of fat, 13 grams of carbs, and a whopping 40 grams of protein.
So the next time you’re looking for a healthy dinner that’s super tasty and satisfying, give these pork chops a try!
Ingredients
This simple pork chop recipe has only 8 ingredients and minimal prep time.
- Pork chops: use thick boneless pork chops (preferably 1-inch thickness)
- Yellow onion
- Garlic: four cloves of garlic
- Chicken bouillon cube
- Canned tomatoes: 28-ounce can or jar of diced canned tomatoes
- Mozzarella: preferably low-fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Paprika
- Dried oregano: you can use fresh for a more robust flavor
- Salt and pepper
You’ll also be needing cooking spray to coat the frying pan. Our favorite cooking spray is one with olive oil and nothing else.
Step-by-step instructions
For such a rich and delicious dish, it’s actually surprisingly straightforward to make.
You simply sear the pork chops, create the tomato sauce in the same pan, then combine it all in a baking dish and throw it in the oven with some cheese on top!
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400˚F (200˚C).
Step 2: Coat a frying pan with cooking spray and place over medium-high heat. If needed, trim the fat off the pork chops. Season pork chops with black pepper and sear for about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
Step 3: Meanwhile, cut the onions into rings. Peel the garlic and slice it into thin pieces.
Step 4: Remove the pork chops from the frying pan and transfer them to a deep baking dish. Set aside.
Step 5: To the same pan, add onion rings and garlic and cook undisturbed over medium-high heat for about 1 minute on each side.
Step 6: Add tomato, bouillon cube, and spices to the pan and gently mix to combine. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for approximately 2 minutes.
Step 7: Pour this onion-tomato mixture over the pork chops. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly across the top.
Tip: You can sprinkle a bit of salt on top at this stage if you don’t need to watch your sodium intake.
Step 8: Bake pork chops in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until pork chops are thoroughly cooked.
An accurate way to check for doneness is by using an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the pork chop and when the internal temperature registers at 145˚F, the pork chops are done.
Step 10: Remove pork chops from the oven and let them rest in the pan for 5 minutes before serving.
Expert tips
If you never want to bite into another tough or dry pork chop again, then this recipe is for you! Check out these simple tips to make sure your boneless pork chops don’t dry out:
- Tomato sauce – By pouring the tomato sauce on top, you’re smothering those pork chops with moisture to ensure they turn out juicy and tender.
- Oven temperature – Also, baking them at a lower temperature of 400˚F is another way to keep them from drying out. Because they are a lean cut of meat, overcooking them (cooking them too long or at too high of a temperature) is an easy way to end up with a tough pork chop.
- Rest the meat – Finally, letting these guys rest in the pan for five minutes before serving is yet another critical step to keeping your dish juicy and tender. When you let the cooked pork chops rest, the meat fibers relax. It might sound a little strange, but trust me, you definitely want relaxed meat fibers.
With every step designed to give us a tasty, juicy, and tender dish, maybe you can see why this is one of my favorite recipes!
Serving suggestions
If you like, you can serve these easy baked boneless pork chops with a small side of rice as you see in the photos or just some steamed low-carb veggies. A hefty side of riced cauliflower would also pair wonderfully with the pork chops.
Oven baked pork chops are so flavorful that they don’t need a side. But a healthy side dish to soak up the delicious onion-infused tomato sauce never hurts!
Storage instructions
If you find yourself with any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
When reheating, you may want to cut your pork chop into slices before sticking it back in the oven or in the microwave. If you leave it whole, it will take longer to reheat all the way through, which can lead to overcooking.
And since this whole recipe is about keeping pork chops nice and juicy, it would be a shame to dry out your leftovers!
Nutrition
This recipe is naturally gluten-free and a great meal option for those following a keto or low-carb diet.
As I mentioned, oven-baked boneless pork chops are a great source of lean protein. Clocking in at a whopping 40 grams of protein per serving and only 352 calories and 10 net carbs, these baked chops are a keeper!
As with most packaged foods, check the ingredients on the tomato sauce to stay sugar-free and low-sodium.
It’s good practice to always read the labels to ensure you’re not inadvertently consuming added salt or sugar.
Frequently asked questions
Should boneless pork chops be covered when baking?
It is not necessary to cover pork chops with aluminum foil or a lid in this recipe because they are smothered in a sauce that will make them incredibly juicy
How long to bake pork chops?
This answer will depend widely on many factors. Thick pork chops (at least an inch thick) require more cooking time. However, if you sear pork chops first, like in this recipe, this will kickstart the cooking process, and you will need less time in the oven. These oven-baked pork chops need approximately 20 minutes of baking time.
How do you cook boneless pork chops so they don’t dry out?
Using this recipe and 3 simple tips will ensure that pork chops are not dry and rubbery but rather juicy and tender.
First, smother pork chops in delicious tomato-based sauce. Second, keep the oven temperature at a moderate low. And lastly, make sure to give the pork chops time to rest after baking to allow the juices to redistribute back into the meat.
More healthy dinner recipes
Looking for a few more dinner ideas that are healthy, easy to make, and simply delicious? Here are a few of my favorites that I know you’ll love:
- Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Bison Meatballs
- Marinated Steak and Broccoli
For even more inspiration, be sure to check out this roundup of my favorite healthy dinner recipes for diabetics!
When you’ve tried this recipe, please don’t forget to let me know how you liked it and rate the recipe in the comments below!
Recipe Card
Baked Boneless Pork Chops in Tomato Sauce
Baked Boneless Pork Chops in Tomato Sauce is a high-protein recipe you’ll find yourself making over and over again.
These pork chops are juicy, tender, and full of flavor!
4.32 from 35 votes
- ▢ 4 boneless pork chops at least 1 inch thickness
- ▢ 1 small yellow onion
- ▢ 4 cloves garlic
- ▢ 28 ounces diced canned tomatoes one large can or jar
- ▢ 1 Knorr chicken bouillon cube
- ▢ 1 teaspoon paprika
- ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ▢ 5 ounces low-fat mozzarella shredded
- ▢ salt and pepper, to taste
- ▢ cooking spray
US Customary – Metric
-
Preheat oven to 400˚F (200˚C).
-
Coat a frying pan with cooking spray and place over medium-high heat. If needed, trim the fat off the pork chops. Season pork chops with black pepper and sear for about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
4 boneless pork chops, cooking spray, salt and pepper, to taste
-
Meanwhile, cut the onions into rings.
Peel the garlic and slice into thin pieces.1 small yellow onion, 4 cloves garlic
-
Remove the pork chops from the frying pan and transfer to a deep baking dish. Set aside.
-
To the same pan, add onion rings and garlic and cook undisturbed over medium-high heat for about 1 minute on each side.
-
Add canned diced tomatoes, bouillon cube, and spices to the pan and gently toss to combine. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for approximately 2 minutes.
28 ounces diced canned tomatoes, 1 Knorr chicken bouillon cube, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon dried oregano
-
Pour this onion-tomato mixture over the pork chops. Add shredded mozzarella cheese evenly across the top.
5 ounces low-fat mozzarella
-
Bake pork chops in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until pork chops are thoroughly cooked.
-
Remove pork chops from the oven and let them rest in the baking pan for 5 minutes before serving.
-
Take the pork chops out of the oven and let them rest in the pan for 5 minutes before serving.
Peel the garlic and slice into thin pieces.
This recipe is for 4 servings. Each serving is 1 pork chop.
Meat food safety: An accurate way to check for doneness is by using an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the pork chop and when internal temperature registers at 145˚F, the pork chop is done.
Serving suggestions: This dish can be served alone or with a healthy side to soak up the tomato sauce.
Storage instructions: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheating instructions: When reheating, it’s best to slice the pork chop. This will make the process quicker to avoid overcooking.
Nutrition Facts
Baked Boneless Pork Chops in Tomato Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 352
Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 7g35%
Trans Fat 0.
1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 113mg38%
Sodium 808mg34%
Potassium 976mg28%
Carbohydrates 13g4%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 40g80%
Vitamin A 664IU13%
Vitamin C 21mg25%
Calcium 371mg37%
Iron 3mg17%
Net carbs 10g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Fat
Keyword: Baked pork chops, Pork chops in tomato sauce
Did you make this recipe?Click here to leave a comment & star rating!
Pork chops in cheese and tomato batter, step-by-step recipe for 2334 kcal, photo, ingredients
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| 136 g |
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For the batter, mix eggs, grated cheese (60 g), flour and tomato paste.
You may need more or less flour.
Bread meat first in flour, then in batter. Fry in a frying pan heated with oil. First, on one side over medium heat without a lid. Then turn over, cover with a lid and fry over low heat until cooked. Sprinkle ready-made chops with grated cheese (50 g) and serve. Bon appetit! nine0003
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90,000 pigs in tomato sauce, step -by -step recipe for 2450 kcal, photo, ingredients
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1 cup0003
Arrange the pork chops on top so that they are completely submerged in the mixture.  By alexxlab |
