Garlic Butter Beef Chops with Cheesy Potato Bake

Name: Garlic Butter Beef Chops with Cheesy Potato Bake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Ingredients: 4 bone-in beef chops, about 1 inch thick; 3 tbsp olive oil; 4 tbsp butter, divided; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 sprigs fresh thyme; Salt and pepper, to taste; Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional); 4-5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced; 1 medium onion, thinly sliced; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cup milk; 1/2 cup sour cream; 2 tbsp butter; 1 tsp garlic powder; Salt and pepper, to taste

by Sophia

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There’s something magical about a dish that pairs the rich, buttery goodness of garlic beef chops with the ultimate comfort food: cheesy potato bake. This recipe is the epitome of cozy, indulgent home cooking, perfect for a family dinner or an intimate gathering with loved ones. Trust me, once you try this one, it’ll be on repeat for every comfort-food craving!

Today, I’m going to walk you through making this delightful recipe step by step. We’ll sear juicy beef chops in a fragrant garlic butter sauce and bake them over a golden, cheesy potato bake that’s tender, creamy, and absolutely irresistible. Let’s get started on creating a meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This dish is not only delicious but also:

Versatile: Perfect for a fancy dinner party or a casual family meal.
Easy to Customize: You can play around with cheeses, herbs, or even swap out beef for pork chops if you’d like!

A Showstopper: The combination of rich flavors and beautiful presentation makes this recipe a standout.

Getting Started: Prepping for Success

Before we dive into cooking, let’s get everything ready. Good prep is the secret to a stress-free experience in the kitchen.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Beef Chops:
- 4 bone-in beef chops (about 1 inch thick)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp butter (divided)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
For the Cheesy Potato Bake:
- 4-5 medium potatoes (thinly sliced)
- 1 medium onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper (to taste)

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

First things first—preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s warming up, lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray. Trust me, a well-prepped dish saves you from those dreaded stuck-on bits later!

Step 2: Creating the Cheesy Potato Bake Layers

Here comes the fun part—layering the cheesy potato bake! This is the foundation of the dish, so we want to make sure every bite is creamy, cheesy, and well-seasoned.

Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for 5–7 minutes until they’re soft, translucent, and slightly caramelized. Sprinkle in garlic powder, salt, and pepper. The aroma alone will have your kitchen smelling amazing!
Layer the Potatoes: In your greased baking dish, layer half of the thinly sliced potatoes evenly. Top them with half of the caramelized onions, followed by a generous sprinkle of 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat this process with the remaining potatoes, onions, and cheese for a double-decker potato masterpiece.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

The sauce is what takes this bake from good to unforgettable. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk and sour cream. Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it’s smooth and creamy. Pour this luscious mixture evenly over the potatoes in the dish. Cover everything with aluminum foil, and pop it into your preheated oven for the first bake—30 minutes should do the trick.

Step 4: Searing the Beef Chops

While the potatoes are working their magic in the oven, it’s time to turn our attention to those juicy beef chops.

Season Generously: Pat the beef chops dry with a paper towel and season both sides liberally with salt and pepper. This simple step ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
Sear to Perfection: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef chops for about 3–4 minutes on each side until they’re golden brown. The goal here is to lock in the juices and create a beautiful crust.
Set Aside: Once seared, remove the chops from the skillet and let them rest. Don’t clean the skillet just yet—we’ll use it to make the garlic butter sauce!

Welcome back to this irresistible journey of combining juicy, garlic butter-infused beef chops with creamy, cheesy potatoes. In Part 1, we prepped the potatoes and onions, started layering the dish, and got those beef chops beautifully seared. Now, let’s finish what we started by making the rich garlic butter sauce, completing the bake, and adding some tips to elevate this dish even further.

Step 5: Making the Garlic Butter Sauce

The garlic butter sauce is the heart of this recipe. It infuses the beef chops with flavor while adding an irresistible richness to the cheesy potato bake. Here’s how to make it:

Melt the Butter: In the same skillet where you seared the beef chops, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Let all those delicious browned bits from the chops blend into the butter—they’re pure flavor gold!
Add Garlic and Thyme: Stir in the minced garlic and toss in the fresh thyme sprigs. Cook for 1–2 minutes, just until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn it—you want a subtle, aromatic base.
Return the Chops to the Skillet: Place the seared beef chops back into the skillet, spooning the garlic butter sauce over each piece. This is where the magic starts to happen! Let them simmer for another 2 minutes to soak up all the garlicky goodness.

Step 6: Combine and Bake

Now that the potatoes are partially cooked and the beef chops are infused with flavor, it’s time to marry the two into one glorious dish.

Remove Foil from the Potato Bake: After 30 minutes in the oven, carefully take the foil off the baking dish. By now, the potatoes should be softening, and the cheese should be starting to melt into a gooey layer of perfection.

Add the Beef Chops: Place the seared beef chops directly on top of the potato bake. Don’t forget to pour all the garlic butter sauce from the skillet over the entire dish—this step ensures every layer is infused with bold flavor.
Final Bake: Pop the dish back into the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 30 minutes. The beef chops will finish cooking, the potatoes will become tender, and the cheese will turn beautifully golden and bubbly. Use a meat thermometer to check that the beef reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for perfect doneness.

Step 7: Rest and Garnish

Once out of the oven, allow the dish to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. This helps everything settle and makes it easier to serve.

Garnish with Parsley: For a fresh, vibrant finish, sprinkle chopped parsley over the top. This optional step adds a pop of color and a subtle herbaceous note.
Serve with Love: Plate up the beef chops alongside a generous scoop of cheesy potatoes. Don’t forget to drizzle any extra garlic butter sauce from the dish onto your plate—it’s too good to leave behind!

Pro Tips for Success

Want to take this dish to the next level? Here are a few insider tips to make your meal unforgettable:

Cheese Choices: While cheddar is classic, feel free to mix in mozzarella for a stringy melt or Gruyère for a nutty twist.
Perfect Searing: Don’t overcrowd the skillet when searing the beef chops. If needed, sear them in batches to ensure a good crust.

Potato Slices: Use a mandoline slicer for even, thin potato slices. This ensures they cook evenly and soak up all the creamy goodness.
Add Some Veggies: Toss in sliced mushrooms or a handful of spinach to the potato bake for extra nutrients and flavor.

We’ve layered, seared, baked, and infused flavors into this delicious meal, creating a showstopping dish that’s equal parts indulgent and comforting. Now that you’ve mastered the recipe, let’s address some common questions and finish with a few final thoughts to inspire you to make this meal your own.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

1. Can I use boneless beef chops instead of bone-in?

Absolutely! Boneless beef chops work well, though they may cook faster. Keep an eye on their internal temperature to avoid overcooking. Aim for 145°F (63°C) for medium doneness.

2. Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the potato bake portion up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge. When ready to cook, bake it as directed and sear the beef chops fresh for the best flavor and texture.

3. What’s the best way to slice potatoes thinly?

A mandoline slicer is the easiest way to achieve even, thin potato slices. If you don’t have one, a sharp knife and steady hand will do the trick—just aim for slices about 1/8-inch thick.

4. Can I substitute the cheddar cheese?

Definitely! Try Gruyère, mozzarella, or even pepper jack for a fun twist. A combination of cheeses also works beautifully to add depth to the dish.

5. What side dishes pair well with this meal?

This dish is a meal in itself, but you can pair it with a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread to soak up the extra garlic butter sauce.

6. How should I store leftovers?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15–20 minutes, or until warmed through.

7. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! The main recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just double-check that your sour cream and cheese are certified gluten-free if needed.

Conclusion: A Dish to Savor and Share

Garlic Butter Beef Chops with Cheesy Potato Bake is more than just a recipe—it’s a celebration of rich flavors and comforting textures. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or a cozy weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to impress. The tender beef chops, smothered in garlic butter, paired with the creamy, cheesy potatoes, create a harmony of flavors that’s simply unforgettable.