Fall is here and so are the squashes! My fall meal plans are peppered with recipes like stuffed acorn squash and butternut squash stew. The newest squash addition to my cookbook – a new recipe created when a friend couldn’t find a diet-friendly ingredient for one of her favorite meals. Read on to see how I came up with Butternut Pork Chops.
Butternut Pork Chops
Equipment
- Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 1 lbs. pork chops
- 1 oz ranch seasoning
- 1 can Butternut Squash Soup
Instructions
- Season pork chops with Ranch dressing mix. You don’t have to use all of it.
- Place chops in crock pot.
- Pour soup over chops. Add any remaining ranch seasoning to pot.
- Cover, cook on low for 5 hours.
Notes
Best Laid Meal Plans
Sometimes, no matter how you create your meal plan, life can throw a wrench in your plans. That’s probably never been truer than during these crazy pandemic days. I remember the first week of the pandemic, I went with a delivery service for my groceries. I ordered groceries for the two weeks of meals I planned out. My $300 order arrived with half of the food missing! Worst of all, when I went through what came and what didn’t, almost every recipe was missing at least one ingredient.
And then there was the meat shortage! Thankfully that didn’t last long.
Shortages still occur sporadically, and if you have allergies or special dietary needs, this must be an especially trying time.
A few weeks ago, I was at home when I got a text from my friend Wendi. She was at the store doing her shopping but had a problem. Her meal plan for the week included pork chops done in a crock pot with cream of chicken soup, but the store was out of her brand. Most people could just choose another brand in a pinch, but Wendi is gluten free, so her choices are sometimes limited. She texted asking what I would substitute. Well, since we were heading into fall my mind quickly went to butternut soup. I did a quick check and sure enough Progesso has a gluten free butternut soup.
She tried it and it got the thumbs up from her and her husband, so of course I had to try it myself. I have to say, this one is a winner. With only three ingredients it’s so simple. Plus, the only way I can explain it is this recipe tastes like fall.
Butternut Pork Chops
As I said, three ingredients. One, two, three! That’s it! So here they are: a can of butternut squash soup. I used Progresso, but if you have another brand you prefer, or maybe some leftover soup you made yourself, go for it. Second ingredient: one ounce of ranch seasoning. Yes, I know, I thought butternut and ranch seems a little weird too, but just go with it. I used a packet I had in the pantry, but you can make your own or use a similar seasoning if you’d like. Personally, I think Penzey’s Fox Point is a great substitute for ranch. The final ingredient: pork chops! Wendi’s recipe called for bone in, but I had boneless in the freezer so that’s what I went with.
I’m sure you can imagine, this recipe will be super easy to follow. First, I took some of the seasoning and sprinkled it on both sides of the pork shops. Place the pork chops in the crock pot.
Next, I poured the soup over the chops. I used Progresso, which is not that thick of a soup. Wendi’s original recipe also called for water, but it also called for condensed soup. Since my soup isn’t condensed, I did not add water. If you are using a condensed or a really thick soup, you might consider adding a little water. It’s up to you.
Finally, I sprinkled the remaining ranch seasoning over the soup. Cover the crock pot and let cook. I cooked the chops on low for five hoursLet me just say, I really liked these chops, but the best part of it was the smell that filled my kitchen all day. Forget the candles, if you want a great fall scent to fill your house – make this dish!
When done, just pull the chops out and serve! I am so pleased with how amazing these butternut pork chops taste. I love happy accidents like this.
Did you enjoy this happy accident? If so, check out one of my other favorite accidents – Cheesy White Chicken Chili.
How is your meal plan looking this week? While I can’t help everyone with an emergency question in the grocery store, I can help by putting together a great plan. Great meals with easy to follow instructions and a grocery list to make shopping quick! Check out the latest plans in the store.
Such a great idea to cook with butternut soup! Must try that hack.
Yum! and so easy
So yummy! Thanks for sharing.
-Sondra Barker
https://www.cuisineandtravel.com/
This is the best! So easy to make and full of flavor!
What a fantastic meal!
These were so delicious!
So good and SOOOO easy to make. My family loved this!
What a great way to add flavor!
So easy and quick!
This was amazing!
Great idea! I am going to have to try this.
This looks delish!
Best view i have ever seen !