Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops And Potatoes

            Any slow cooker meal is an excellent choice for me. A crock pot or slow cooker makes making dinner easy during a busy week. After all, the slow cooker does most of the work for you while you are off doing the important things.

            Comfort food that makes me want some right now as I type this! I love my slow cooker. I will make everything in that piece of equipment. This dish is no different. When you make food in the crock pot and let it do its thing all day while you are off running errands, working or playing taxi for the kids, you come home to a house that smells scrumptious!

            We all have those days that we want to set it and forget it. For meals, it is super easy to do when you use your crock pot. This recipe will allow you to have the delicious aromas in the house, a set and forget meal, as well as one that is simple and one of the most perfect comfort foods. There are many variations and substitutes that can be used for this recipe also. If I decide I want mushrooms with dinner I will substitute cream of mushroom soup in place of the flour and gravy sauce ingredients. You could also use cream of chicken or cream of celery.

            When Autumn begins, my mind automatically switches to the comfort food section of my recipes. There is nothing better than a meal to warm you up, body and soul. A classic comfort dish does just that.

With this recipe, I like to add celery and sliced onions in the crock.

This makes it a complete meal. I also add some homemade biscuits on the side to give just a little extra comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use both the chicken broth and cream soup?

Yes, I think that would be a good version. I do make this meal that way if a certain person in my family is not home for dinner. I use the broth in place of milk when mixing the soup.

Can I use Red Potatoes?

I would use a sturdier potato. You want one that stands up to the soup without falling apart. I feel red potatoes are too soft of a potato to use. I, myself, prefer to use Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes.

Can I make a homemade sauce for this instead of soup broth?

If you have a homemade recipe for a gravy or sauce that works in this dish, please use it. The recipes I share are basically meant as a starting point. My wish is that all people turn the dish into theirs.

Although I absolutely love homemade gravy, can I substitute?

Yes, there is a way to substitute for the homemade grave. You can mix a can of cream of mushroom, cream of celery or cream of chicken with ½ cup milk. I would add almost a cup of milk since the potatoes will soak up much of it.

What vegetables can I add to it?

I like to add in carrots and onions, along with some celery. I know families who add in green beans and use sweet potatoes instead. Any variety has to taste good right?

The Pork Chops?

What I choose to do here is to buy a good size pork loin. I then slice it into 8 pieces, at an inch thick.

What do you need to make Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Potatoes

            8 thick cut, boneless pork chops

            4 slices bacon

            2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and sliced thin

            3 tbsp butter

            2 cups of milk or chicken broth

            ¼ cup flour

            ½ tsp garlic powder

            2 cups Cheddar Cheese, divided

            Salt and pepper to taste

How to make Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Potatoes

FIRST STEP:

Over medium heat, cook the bacon in a skillet

When done, remove the bacon and set to the side

SECOND STEP:

Leaving the bacon grease in the pan, salt and pepper both sides of each pork chop, and brown slightly on each side.

Spray the crock pot with non stick spray

THIRD STEP:

Layer a flat row of sliced potatoes in the crock pot

Sprinkle with salt and pepper and garlic powder

FOURTH STEP:

Continue  the layering of potatoes and seasoning until you have used all the potatoes

Place the pork chops on top of the potato layers

FIFTH STEP:

Remove the grease from the skillet, but do not clean the pan.

Add in the butter, when it is melted, add the flour and using a whisk mix well so it combines with no lumps

a)

b)

SIXTH STEP:

Slowly add the milk OR the chicken broth, stirring continuously until it begins to thicken

Stir in one cup of the cheese

SEVENTH STEP:

Pour this mix over the pork chops in the crock pot.

The liquid will make its way down to the potatoes to cook them

EIGHTH STEP:

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, sprinkle the remaining cheese on the top and sprinkle the crumbled bacon on the cheese.

a)

b)

c)

Replace the cover and cook until the cheese is melted

NOTE:

Serve with a garnish of chopped parsley or chopped green onion. You can serve a vegetable on the side, or as mentioned dump in carrots during the cooking process.