Pork Chops And Minute Rice
A comforting dish featuring tender pork chops served over flavorful rice with vegetables and a creamy mushroom sauce, perfect for a hearty family dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked Minute rice ⓘ
- 1 1/3 cups water ⓘ
- 1 (11 oz.) can whole kernel corn ⓘ
- 1 medium carrot, shredded ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onions ⓘ
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed ⓘ
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup ⓘ
- dash salt ⓘ
- dash pepper ⓘ
- 3 or 4 pork chops ⓘ
- 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon margarine ⓘ
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1 tablespoon melted margarine. Mix well and set aside.
- In a medium pan, bring water and rice to a boil, then add undrained corn, shredded carrot, minced onions, and dried thyme. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup.
- Transfer the rice mixture into a rectangular baking dish.
- Season the pork chops with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Place the pork chops on top of the rice mixture in the baking dish.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil, sprinkle the seasoned bread crumbs evenly over the pork chops and rice, then bake uncovered until the pork is cooked through and the topping is golden.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the pork chops in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and herbs before cooking. If you don't have Minute rice, you can substitute with any quick-cooking rice. Adjust the amount of thyme according to your taste, and feel free to add other vegetables like peas or bell peppers for extra nutrition.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal. Consider serving with a side of garlic bread or cornbread to complement the flavors. For a heartier option, you could also serve it alongside Nita'S Ham Rolls for a delightful family dinner experience.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover pork chops and rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a microwave-safe dish and cover to retain moisture, heating in 1-minute intervals until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat in the oven at 350°F until heated thoroughly.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pork Chops And Minute Rice contains roughly 1321 calories, with 19g protein, 162g carbohydrates, and 87g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (338% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (306% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (93% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2493mg per serving (108% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of Minute rice?
Yes, you can use brown rice, but you will need to adjust the cooking time as brown rice takes longer to cook. Make sure to follow the package instructions for the correct water-to-rice ratio and cooking time.
What can I use instead of cream of mushroom soup?
You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with a homemade mixture of heavy cream and sautéed mushrooms or use a different cream soup like cream of chicken. For a lighter option, consider a low-fat cream soup alternative.
How can I tell when the pork chops are fully cooked?
Pork chops are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature in the thickest part of the chop. Allow them to rest for a few minutes after cooking for optimal juiciness.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).