Pasta and Pork Chops

This pasta and pork chops recipe is a hearty, delicious meal that satisfies the whole family. Tender, juicy, seasoned pork chops are cooked in the air fryer until golden, and then they're paired with gluten-free fusilli in a rich, creamy sauce loaded with spinach, parmesan cheese, and spices for an easy weeknight meal.

Pork chops are a classic dinner protein, and it's easy to see why. With their tender, meaty texture and a flavor that's mild but won't disappear into the dish, pork chops lend themselves well to a variety of recipes and flavors. This dish, with its creamy sauce, al dente noodles, and seasoned chops highlights that perfectly.

Because I want to ensure my meats are both perfectly cooked and safe, I always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. My favorite is the ThermoPro Lightning 1-Second Instant Read Meat Thermometer because it tells me immediately when my meat is perfectly cooked.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Basic Ingredients: This recipe uses pork chops, pasta, and a few other basic ingredients found in any grocery store.
• Easy: The pork chops cook quickly and easily in the air fryer, and the sauce comes together in just a few minutes.
• Flavorful: This recipe uses spices like paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, and more to create a complex, deeply-flavored sauce and wonderful seasoning for the chops.
• Family-Friendly: While the flavors may be deep and complex, they still remain kid-friendly, so the entire family can enjoy this recipe.

Ingredients

• Bone-In Pork Chops: Seasoned bone-in, air fried pork chops cook up tender and juicy.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil provides the base for the seasoning mixture, allowing it to adhere to the chops. I prefer Costabile olive oil for its quality and purity. Use Code: 15GOLDENGK for 15% off.
• Gluten-Free Fusilli: The corkscrew texture of fusilli allows it to hold on to the sauce.
• Seasonings: A mixture of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, and other spices creates a deep, complex flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Chicken broth adds the liquid needed to cook the pasta and create the sauce, along with extra flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Heavy cream adds body and luxurious texture to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese adds a nutty flavor to the sauce.

See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.

Flavor Variations

• Change up the proteins: This recipe works with boneless pork chops, chicken breasts, chicken thighs, and even seafood.
• Make it spicy: Try adding red pepper flakes for a spicy version of this recipe.
• Grill it: Grill your pork chops to add a tasty twist to the dish.

How to Make Pasta and Pork Chops

Air Fryer Pork Chops

1: Wash and pat the pork chops dry with paper towels, then combine the oil and all the seasonings in a small bowl.

2: Thoroughly coat both sides of the pork chops with the seasoning mixture.

3: Air fry the chops until the internal temperature registers 145 degrees, flipping halfway through cooking.

Pasta and Sauce (Cook While the Chops Air Fry)

1: Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente and drain it.

2: Cook the shallots in a large pan with butter over medium-low heat until softened.

3: Add the flour and stir well. Then, add broth, cream, and seasonings.

4: Add the chopped spinach and parmesan cheese, stirring while cooking until the sauce thickens.

5: Add the pasta and stir to coat. Serve with the pork chops, and enjoy!

Hint

Using your hands with gloves on is the easiest and most efficient way to coat your pork chops with the seasoned mixture.

Storage

Refrigerate these pork chops and pasta for up to 4 days in an air-tight container. Freezing is not recommended, as the sauce can break while reheating.

To reheat your past and pork chops, place everything in a baking dish with a touch of water if necessary, and bake covered at 350 until the entire dish is heated through.

What to Serve with Pasta and Pork Chops

Serve these pork chops and pasta with a side of vegetables like air fryer zucchini and squash or pan-fried zucchini and squash.

A hearty dish like this one deserves a substantial dessert to finish the meal, so try delicious flavors like Golden Oreo cheesecake, pistachio cannoli cake, or light, tender grape cake.

Expert Tips

• Be sure to fully coat both sides of your pork chops for the best flavor.
• Keep your heat on medium-low when cooking the shallots so you don't burn them.
• Cook your sauce for about a minute after adding the seasonings before adding the spinach. This helps meld the flavors while avoiding overcooking the spinach.
• Use a quality meat thermometer like ThermoPro to ensure your meat is fully cooked.

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• Chicken Parm Casserole
• Bacon Smoked Mac and Cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

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