Grace. We could all use more of it. When I scan my list of things to do each day, with the chaos of crying children, piles of laundry, and stacks of dirty dishes surrounding me, I often feel a pit in my stomach and my heart begins to race. How on Earth am I ever going to get it all done? School drop-offs, toys to pick up, emails to respond to, lunches to pack, and those pork chops in the fridge that need to be used? My mind literally spins trying to keep track of everything.
And then the juice spills, or the boys start fighting over a toy, or I forget to send in the field trip money again. There are so many instances in my day when I honestly feel like I’m paddling upstream in a solo canoe. But I’m working on grace.
Being patient with myself, embracing the mess, and just rolling with it a little bit. Because as much as I’d love to get everything checked off my list each day, the reality is that it’s just not going to happen. And instead of focusing on what’s not accomplished, I’m choosing to focus on all that I get to do. I’m not looking at the “should do” or the “have to do” list. I’m enjoying the list of small things that I am fortunate enough to enjoy each and every day — chatting with my kids on the car ride home from school, lacing up their soccer cleats for practice (even when we’re running really late), and eavesdropping on their conversations as they construct Lego cities together.
So often in the hustle and bustle of life we miss the small moments of joy that can add up to an hour, a day, a week, and a lifetime of precious memories. Instead of letting these difficult-yet-fleeting years pass me by, I’m diving head first into the good, the bad, and the BUSY. Because that phone call can wait, the dish can soak, and the crumbs can be wiped up later. But the hug, the kiss on the boo-boo, and the bedtime story definitely cannot wait. Life isn’t perfect (that would be boring!), but we are perfect parents because we’re doing the best that we can.
And on my craziest evenings, when I feel like I’m failing at just about everything, I can always turn to a simple sheet pan supper to turn the day around!
With just 10 minutes of prep, dinner comes together on one tray and results in the most delicious juicy and tender ranch pork chops with crispy potatoes. I might not be able to check off everything on my massive to-do list, but I end the day around the table with my family — feeling accomplished, nourished, and full of love. A homemade dinner might not be everything, but tonight it’s more than enough.
I hope that you’ll show yourself some grace, bake some pork chops, and enjoy the smiles around your table as well.
PS – It’s fine to tell your kids that it’s chicken, if that convinces them to eat it. Works like a charm with my two-year-old!
One Pan Ranch Pork Chops with Crispy Potatoes
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 4
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 (1 ounce) packet ranch seasoning mix (just the dried seasoning)
- 1 lb. baby red potatoes, halved
- 4 thick-cut bone-in pork chops (about 7 ounces each)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with foil (for easy clean up) and spray with cooking spray.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, butter, garlic and ranch seasoning.
- Place potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet and drizzle with about half of the oil mixture. Toss to coat.
- Place in the oven for 15 minutes to give the potatoes a head start in the cooking.
- Remove potatoes from the oven and place pork chops on the baking sheet with the potatoes.
- Brush pork chops with remaining oil mixture and place baking sheet back in the oven to cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until pork is golden and cooked through.
- For a crispy, charred finish place the sheet pan under the broiler for 2-3 more minutes.
Cooking for Only Two? I purchase these thick-cut pork chops in packages of two at the grocery store, so this is a very easy recipe to just cut in half. Save the other half of the ranch seasoning mix for the next time!
I love that you’re focusing on what you get to do, instead of what needs to get done. That definitely helps a lot! And so do one pan meals! 🙂 These pork chops looks perfect! My husband always wants pork chops, so I need to try this!
Thank you, Gayle! My husband loves pork chops too, so I’m always trying to figure out how to cook them!
I LOVE this post! It’s exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you Blair for putting those words on paper … hmm I meant screen 😉 I woke up this morning and came to work and I was just thinking about GRACE! Just like you said, we need to stop focusing on all things that needs to be done and just enjoy in moments, enjoy in things we do NOW with people we love and care, or things we do for them or for ourselves 🙂 This dinner sounds perfect for busy weekdays. It sure looks fantastic 🙂 Sharing this! Have a lovely weekend Blair.
Thank you, Natalie! I’m so glad that it spoke to you today! I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!
pork chops are so good and quick! love this one pan dish. And ranch, always. p.s love the new logo!
Thanks, Lindsay! I’m loving the new site too. A refresher is ALWAYS a great way to motivate again!
The touch of finishing the chops under the broiler is sheer brilliance. I can practically hear the sizzle as they come out of the oven.
Exactly, CakeSpy! It’s KEY for that crispy exterior and juicy inside! Mmmm…
I love this idea of grace. It’s something I’m constantly working on in my life. Our job as mothers is the most incredible thing in the world and sometimes we miss it because we’re so worried about the details. Our to-do list will never be finished. That’s OK. We only have our precious kids for a short time, so enjoy them and enjoy being in the moment. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much, Treasure! I’m glad that I’m not the only one who’s feeling like that right now. It’s something that I struggle to be aware of constantly, but it’s not easy!
Where does the minced garlic come in? Do we put it in the oil mixture?
Hi, Mary Jean! Thank you for catching that! Yes — the garlic gets mixed with the oil. I’m updating the recipe now. 🙂 Thanks again!
Hi Blair,
Love the new look, logo AND your beautifully written post. Such a great reminder (especially around Thanksgiving) that despite the chaos of life, we have so much to be thankful for and we’d better embrace it while we can.
You made my day. Thank you!
Thank you, thank you, Robyn! I’m Thankful for YOU as a friend, support, reader, and colleague!
I rarely make pork as I tend to be a bit so-so about it – but this looks SOOOOOOOO good! You are the queen of delicious dinners!
Thanks, Kristy! I wouldn’t call myself a pork lover either, but this right here is worth trying!!! 🙂
Can you use boneless pork chops?
Hi, Danielle! Yes, you definitely can! The cooking time will be much shorter, though. Just keep your eye on it and don’t let the chops get dried out if they’re thinner than what I used. 🙂
Hey the only ranch seasoning I can find is a dry dip mix. Will this work?
Yes! That’s perfect — exactly what you need!
Okay thank you. Haha I spent like 10 mins in front of the spices at my grocery store and could not find any ranch spice. I’ve made it before with Italian seasoning last week and it came out perfect. I’m excited to try with the ranch.
Awesome! Enjoy the ranch version! I’ve done Italian flavored too, and I love that as well. 🙂
Do you think this could be made in a cast iron pan? I was thinking of searing the chops and spuds, then throwing it in the oven.
Hi, Michelle! Yes…definitely! You’ll just need to make sure that you have a large enough skillet to hold as many ingredients as you need, since a sheet pan is so large. 🙂
In the picture it looks like there is cheese on top of each pork chop. If so I can’t find that in the written recipe. Maybe I’m just seeing things 🙂
Hi, Allison! Nope, no cheese in the recipe. 🙂 I think what you’re seeing is the crispy top of the pork chops where I put them under the broiler for a few minutes at the end. The butter kind of caramelizes and gets a little charred. So good!
This was so good and so easy to make! My husband and I really enjoyed this!
Thanks, Ashley! I’m so glad that you liked it! 🙂
Just wondering what would change if I didn’t do the broiler part? Would it still be ok?
Hey, Rianna! The broiler makes the pork and the potatoes crispy and browned on the outside. It would definitely “work” without a broiler (just bake it until cooked through in the oven), but I prefer the finish under the broiler. 🙂
Hi Blair! Wonderfully quick and I’m sure delicious pork chops. Its dinner tonight.
As I’m recently retired, your great site has become my “go to” as I seem to be busier than ever now and looking for easy and quick meals. I appreciate your recipes and positive energy and outlook on life and enjoy seeing the fun you have with your beautiful family. Bless you all and “Thank you”.
Hi, Bonnie! You totally made my day! My goal is to share easy, quick-prep recipes that fit into busy lives — whether you’re enjoying retirement or juggling a young family. 🙂 Thanks so much for reading along with our adventures!
Enjoy the pork chops tonight. 🙂