When the school year gets busy and the evenings start feeling shorter, a simple slow cooker supper can be a real blessing. This kind of meal has the same good sense so many Midwestern home cooks have relied on for years: a sturdy cut of meat, a few pantry staples, and a long, gentle cook that turns everything tender and full of flavor by supper time. Using just four ingredients, these pork chops come out savory, comforting, and just right for a weeknight when everybody is hungry and nobody wants a sink full of dishes.
Serve these slow cooker pork chops with mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or fluffy white rice to catch every bit of the gravy. A side of green beans, sweet corn, or simple glazed carrots fits the meal beautifully, and warm biscuits or a slice of sandwich bread on the side makes it feel like the kind of hearty family dinner folks remember long after the plates are cleared.
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Back to School Dinner
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 raw thick-cut boneless pork chops
Directions
1. Lightly coat the slow cooker insert with cooking spray if you like for easier cleanup, then place the raw thick-cut boneless pork chops in an even layer in the bottom.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the ranch seasoning mix, brown gravy mix, and condensed cream of chicken soup until smooth and well blended.
3. Spoon the soup mixture evenly over the pork chops, covering the tops as best you can.
4. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the pork chops are tender and cooked through.
5. Serve the pork chops hot with the gravy spooned over the top.
Variations & Tips
Make It Mushroomy: If your family enjoys mushrooms, add a can of drained sliced mushrooms to the sauce mixture. They blend right into the gravy and make the meal feel a little heartier.
For Extra Gravy: If you like plenty of sauce for potatoes or noodles, stir in about 1/2 cup of chicken broth before cooking. The gravy will be a little looser but very good for spooning over side dishes.
Use the Right Cut: Thick-cut boneless pork chops hold up best in the slow cooker. Thin chops can dry out more quickly and may not give you that tender, supper-table result you are after.
Check for Doneness: Slow cookers can vary from one kitchen to the next, so start checking near the earlier end of the cooking time. The pork should be fully cooked and tender enough to cut easily with a fork.
Easy Clean-Up Tip: A slow cooker liner can make this recipe even handier on a school night. That way, you can spend more time with your family and less time at the sink.
