The 2-Ingredient Dinner I Can’t Stop Making

If you told me that cooking weeknight meals was an easy feat, I’d ask you to reveal your magic and secrets. What are you doing that equates to less time standing and cooking, to more time sitting and eating? I guess that you have a handful of recipes you rely on that don’t require much in the way of ingredients. And I bet you have something similar to one of my new favorite recipes, which requires just two ingredients and very little hands-on time, Perfect Simple Roasted Pork Chops.

More, for Less

I’ll make you a promise right now. I promise that not all 2-ingredient recipes should be treated equally. While there are plenty of instances where this minimalistic approach works, there are also plenty that don’t. This easy pork chop recipe, though, delivers. I was skeptical at first, but I was so impressed after seasoning my chops with a bit of salt, pepper (staples, so we don’t include them in the ingredient count), and dried thyme, and then baking them for a short time. Somehow, just the littlest bit of seasoning was all they needed—and I loved that I could cook them in the oven, which gave me extra time to prep my sides.

Tips for Making These Perfect Simple Roast Pork Chops

The recipe doesn’t need further explanation, but I do have some ideas for getting it right (and serving the dish):

• Use a meat thermometer: It’s tough to tell when a pork chop is cooked properly, so I recommend using one. Insert the probe into the thickest part of your chop to get an accurate reading and aim for 145 degrees F (62 degrees C).
• Let the pork chops rest: When you’re hungry, you want to eat immediately—but resist the temptation to cut into your pork chops. They need about 5 minutes to sit and rest before you dig into them. Slicing too early will cause them to lose moisture, leaving you with a dry, chewy pork chop.
• Play with herbs and spices: Hear me out! I know we love the “2-ingredient” aspect of this recipe, but I’m guessing you have a spice cabinet full of fun, flavorful combinations. When you’ve got more time and want to experiment, try a spice or herb blend in place of the dried thyme. Stick with combos you know work, like chili powder and ground cumin or dried oregano and parsley.
• Serve it with easy sides: The freezer aisle is your friend. So grab a bag of frozen rice or mashed potatoes, then follow the package directions for heating. Add a bagged salad for a complete, easy meal.