Dump dinners are real timesavers. They require no chopping or advance prep, and the ingredients are just layered in a baking dish and baked. This Parmesan Pork & Pasta Dump Dinner is actually good enough for company, but easy enough for a weeknight. Using whole wheat pasta insures that the pasta stays al dente and doesn’t overcook. Center cut pork chops are put on top and cook until done, but still juicy. Halfway through baking, Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs are sprinkled over the pork chops and come out crispy and cheesy.

This dish includes a huge amount of pasta. Most will have leftovers. Those leftovers can be used in an Italian soup or a pasta frittata. The pasta can also be combined with a package of the Ground Beef Module from your freezer along with cheese and a can of tomato sauce.

6 Servings

1 12 oz. package whole wheat penne pasta
2 26 oz. jar spaghetti sauce, (or 24 ounce jars are fine)
1 1/2 cups water
2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
6 center cut pork chops, trimmed of any outside fat, if any
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian style seasoning, (I use Pensey's Tuscan Sunset); lemon pepper also works well

1 cup bread crumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Spray a deep 9" x 13" baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Sprinkle the pasta over the bottom of the baking dish.
3. Mix the pasta sauce and water and pour over the pasta.
4. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the Parmesan cheese.
5. Place the pork chops on top of the cheese; sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
6. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and remove the foil.
7. Mix the breadcrumbs with the olive oil and remaining Parmesan cheese; sprinkle over the pork chops.
8. Return the dish to the oven and bake 20-30 minutes or until the topping is crisp and the pasta is cooked through. Remove from the oven and let sit 10 minutes before serving.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 620 Calories from Fat 275
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 44% Protein 31% Carb. 25%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 31 g
Saturated Fat 10 g
Cholesterol 99 mg
Sodium 2297 mg
Total Carbohydrate 39 g
Dietary Fiber 2 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 48 g

Vitamin A 52% Vitamin C 53% Calcium 0% Iron 21%