Throw pork chops in the crock with onion soup mix and broth, and get a meal so delicious the gravy makes itself.

This is one of those back-pocket, weeknight lifesaver recipes that I lean on when work runs late and the thought of chopping a million ingredients makes me want to order takeout. These 3-ingredient slow cooker onion pork chops are pure Midwest comfort food: pantry staples, minimal effort, and a cozy, savory gravy that tastes like you fussed way more than you did. The magic comes from a packet of onion soup mix, which does all the heavy lifting in the flavor department—no searing, no browning, just layer, pour, and walk away. It’s the kind of recipe my mom would make on busy school nights, and now it’s become one of my go-tos for those days when I want a real dinner on the table but also want to actually sit down for a minute.

These onion pork chops are all about that rich, savory gravy, so they’re perfect over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or steamed white rice to soak up every drop. On the veggie side, I like to keep it simple with something I can prep quickly: roasted green beans, a bag of frozen mixed vegetables, or a quick side salad with whatever greens are in the fridge. If you want to go full comfort-food mode, add a side of dinner rolls or crusty bread for dunking. This dish also works really well for meal prep—pack the pork chops with mashed potatoes and a simple veggie in containers and you’ve got a few solid lunches ready to grab during the workweek.

Servings: 4 servings

4 boneless pork chops (about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds total)
1 (1-ounce) packet dry onion soup mix
1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup