Why pork chop bake with vegetables is so popular
This pork chop bake with vegetables is ideal for busy evenings because everything cooks together at once. The juices from the pork season the vegetables as they roast, which creates a wonderful natural flavour. You can easily adjust the vegetables based on what you have in your fridge at the time. It is a hearty and reliable meal that the whole family can enjoy together.
How to cook pork chop bake with vegetables
Prepare vegetables: Preheat your oven to 200C and lightly grease a large roasting tin. Peel and slice the potatoes, carrots, onion and pepper into even pieces so they cook at the same rate. Place all the vegetables into the tin and drizzle them with half of the olive oil. Toss them well to ensure everything is coated evenly before spreading them out.
Season the pork: Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel to help them brown better in the oven. In a small bowl, mix the dried thyme, garlic powder, salt and pepper together. Rub the remaining olive oil over both sides of the meat. Sprinkle the spice mix over the pork and press it down slightly so it sticks.
Arrange the dish: Move some of the vegetables aside to make space for the meat in the tin. Place the seasoned pork chops on top of the vegetable layer. Ensure the chops are not completely covered by vegetables so the edges can become slightly crisp. This arrangement allows the juices to soak into the potatoes and carrots below.
Bake and serve: Place the roasting tin in the centre of the oven and bake for forty five minutes. Check that the pork is cooked through and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove the tin from the oven and let the meat rest for a few minutes. Serve the pork chop bake with vegetables hot straight from the tin.
Good advice for making pork chop bake with vegetables
To get the best results with your pork chop bake with vegetables, try to cut your potatoes into thin slices. This ensures they soften fully in the same time the meat takes to cook through. If you prefer extra crispy edges, you can turn the oven up for the last five minutes of cooking. Using pork on the bone can help keep the meat more succulent during the roasting process. You can also add other root vegetables like parsnips or sweet potatoes for more variety. Make sure not to overcrowd the tin, as this might cause the vegetables to steam rather than roast. If the pork chops are very thick, they might need an extra five minutes in the oven.
Always let the meat rest briefly before serving to keep the juices inside.
You can also try these recipes:
homemade bearnaise,
pork belly bake or
bacon pancakes.