Imagine sinking your teeth into perfectly tender, juicy pork chops bursting with Italian flavors - without spending hours in the kitchen! This Instant Pot Italian Pork Chops recipe is your ticket to a restaurant-quality meal that's so easy, you'll wonder why you ever stressed about dinner prep. In just 25 minutes, you'll create a dish that will have your family begging for seconds and thinking you've secretly trained as a professional chef.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the pork chops by patting them dry with paper towels to ensure proper seasoning and browning.
- Season both sides of the pork chops generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, making sure to coat evenly.
- Turn on the Instant Pot and select the "Sauté" function. Add a small amount of olive oil to the pot and allow it to heat up.
- Carefully place the seasoned pork chops into the hot Instant Pot and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Pour the marinara sauce over the seared pork chops, ensuring they are evenly covered.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to "Sealing", and select the "Pressure Cook" or "Manual" function.
- Cook on high pressure for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the pork chops.
- Once cooking is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully do a quick release.
- Remove the pork chops from the Instant Pot and let them rest for 3-5 minutes to retain moisture.
- Plate the pork chops and spoon additional marinara sauce from the pot over the top.
- Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pork chops before serving.
Tips
- Pat the pork chops completely dry before seasoning to ensure a beautiful golden-brown sear.
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature - aim for 145°F for perfectly cooked pork.
- Don't skip the searing step! This locks in flavor and creates a delicious crust.
- For extra flavor, use homemade marinara sauce or a high-quality store-bought brand.
- Let the pork chops rest after cooking to keep them incredibly juicy and tender.
- If your pork chops are thick, you might need to adjust cooking time slightly - thicker cuts may require an extra 1-2 minutes of pressure cooking.
- Freshly grated Parmesan makes a huge difference - avoid pre-grated cheese for the best flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 4g
Protein: 32g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 95mg
