Pork Chops - Southern Baked
Southern Baked Pork Chops offer a comforting, hearty meal with tender chops topped with melted cheese and a flavorful garlic and lemon marinade. Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, this dish combines savory, cheesy goodness with a hint of zest, making it a satisfying and easy-to-make entrée.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Trim fat from pork chops.
- Mix salt, black pepper, and minced garlic into a paste.
- Rub the garlic mixture into the pork chops.
- Sprinkle lemon juice over the pork chops.
- Arrange the chops in a greased baking dish.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle grated cheese over the chops.
- Bake for an additional 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, consider marinating the pork chops in the garlic paste and lemon juice for a few hours before baking. If you don't have Cheddar or American cheese, a blend of mozzarella or Monterey Jack works well. To enhance the dish, you can sprinkle some paprika or cayenne pepper for a bit of heat. This recipe pairs nicely with sides like Potato Goulash or Lazy Pierogi.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Southern Baked Pork Chops with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh garden salad for a balanced meal. Mashed potatoes or rice also complement the dish well. You can drizzle some extra lemon juice over the chops before serving for added brightness. This dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover pork chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chops in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave them on medium power for a couple of minutes, ensuring they don't dry out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pork Chops - Southern Baked contains roughly 267 calories, with 12g protein, 64g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (90% of the Daily Value), iron (54% of the Daily Value), and calcium (35% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1193mg per serving (52% 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 thinner pork chops for this recipe?
Yes, you can use thinner pork chops, but you will need to reduce the baking time to prevent them from drying out. Check for doneness after 15 minutes and adjust as necessary.
What can I do if I don't have fresh garlic?
If you don't have fresh garlic, you can substitute with 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder for every clove needed. Mix it in with the salt and pepper when creating the paste for flavor.
Can I prepare the pork chops ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can season the pork chops and arrange them in the baking dish a few hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake, just remember to allow them to come to room temperature before placing them in the oven.
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).