Good morning, friends. Hope you "passed" a great weekend as we say here in Cajun-land. I made this oh-so-yummy casserole Sunday, and it's always a big hit with my family. Enjoy!
Cheap & Easy Pork Chop Casserole Recipe
First, brown your chops in about half a cup of canola oil. (I buy the family-sized pack and use the number of chops needed for the recipe.) Season to taste. Lots of garlic powder is always great in pork and chicken dishes...or that could just be the Italian in me. :)
While your chops are sizzling away, prepare a large casserole dish by coating with non-stick spray. Add a box and a half of uncooked instant brown rice (or white, if you like, but it'll take longer in the oven to cook the white) to the casserole, and 3 cups of water. Stir in (and swish around thoroughly) 1/2 cup of Kitchen Bouquet and spices to taste. This makes your rice rich, dark and flavorful.
Let rice sit for 5 minutes, then stir gently again, evenly distributing ingredients in casserole. Now, here's a technical chef's term for ya, "blop" contents of one can of cream of mushroom soup on top of rice. (I used what was on hand -- one can of store brand soup plus one can of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom with Roasted Garlic. *drool*) About now, check and see if you need to turn your browning chops over.
Drain chops on paper towel when nice and brown, then add to casserole dish. Chop and saute one large yellow onion in the same pan. Spread onions onto chops, then the other can of soup.
Cover tightly with foil and bake at 350 for about an hour and a half, or more if your pork chops are really thick. Watch the smiles as forks move to mouths. (Serves 8 "regular" folks, or 5 hungry Ledbetters)
Below you'll see the rest of my menu -- baked sweet potatoes, frozen butter peas and Jiffy cornbread muffins.
This is the love that will come from your oven:
Note: You can make this casserole using chicken or roast hunks. No matter the meat type, it's all good. Maybe my sweet veggy-tarians and flexi-tarians (Kat) could substitute TVP or tofu?
Budget Sidebar:
Pork chops $3.00
2 cans soup $1.50
Jiffy (2 boxes) .66
Sweet potatoes (free from local grower)
Rice $2.00
Misc. ingredients $1.00
Frozen veggies $1.50
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Total = < $10.00 for the whole meal!
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