Description
Hearty comfort meets pure indulgence in this Smothered Beef Chop Scalloped Potato Casserole, blending rich meaty flavors with creamy potato layers. Savory, satisfying, and sure to become a family favorite, this dish promises warmth and deliciousness in every single bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 pork chops (bone-in)
Starch and Vegetables:
- 4 russet potatoes (thinly sliced)
- 1 large onion (thinly sliced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
Dairy and Seasoning:
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare a skillet over medium-high heat and thoroughly sear pork chops until golden brown on each side, creating a rich caramelized exterior. Transfer browned chops to a separate plate.
- Slice potatoes and onions uniformly using a sharp mandoline or knife, ensuring consistent thickness for even cooking. Optional: briefly parboil potato slices to accelerate overall baking process.
- Grease a substantial casserole dish with butter or cooking spray, creating a non-stick foundation for layering ingredients.
- Construct initial potato layer across bottom of dish, overlapping slices slightly to create a solid base. Distribute thinly sliced onions atop potato layer.
- Sprinkle a delicate dusting of flour across onion layer to help thicken developing sauce and enhance overall texture.
- Strategically place butter fragments and distribute cheese across potato-onion layers, ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Carefully position browned pork chops atop or between potato layers, allowing meat to nestle into developing casserole structure.
- Seal casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil, preventing moisture escape during baking.
- Roast in preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 45-55 minutes, maintaining consistent temperature for thorough cooking.
- Remove foil during final 15 minutes of baking to encourage golden-brown surface and crisp potato edges.
- Remove from oven and allow casserole to rest 10 minutes, enabling sauce to stabilize and flavors to harmonize before serving.
Notes
- Choose thick-cut bone-in pork chops for maximum flavor and juiciness, ensuring they remain tender during baking.
- Par-boil potato slices briefly in salted water to reduce overall cooking time and create a more even texture throughout the casserole.
- Use sharp cheddar or a blend of cheeses for deeper, more complex flavor profile that complements the savory meat.
- Customize the dish by adding herbs like thyme or rosemary between potato layers for an aromatic boost and gourmet touch.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg