Baked Italian Parmesan Pork Cube Steaks Recipe Is a High-Protein Budget Dinner (8 Ingredients, 25 Minutes) High Protein Recipes Budget Recipes Italian Recipes Pork Dinner Low Sugar Recipes

This delicious baked Italian Parmesan pork cube steaks recipe was a pleasant accident. A recipe idea had come to me after watching a video for chicken Parmesan made with ground chicken (stay tuned for that one!). After going to three grocery stores looking for ground chicken – all three were sold out – I gave up. But then I spotted something in the meat department that I have never cooked with: pork cube steaks.

Pork cube steaks are the sirloin cut that is ran through a tenderizer, making this budget-friendly cut of pork very tender when cooked. Many people like to pan-fry pork cubes steaks making them similar to chicken fried steak. They can also be used for schnitzels and other dishes. Tonight, these inexpensive pork steaks were being turned into a twist on an Italian recipe.

Not only is this a budget recipe, but also a high-protein recipe. What a delicious way to get all the health benefits of protein!

Here is your shopping list for this baked pork recipe: pork cube steaks, garlic powder, onion powder, dry Italian breadcrumbs, an egg, flour, marinara sauce (I used jarred sauce but you could use homemade marinara sauce), mozzarella cheese and optional Parmesan cheese for serving.

I served the tender Italian-inspired pork steaks over spaghetti noodles with a side of sauteed zucchini. Add some garlic bread and you have an easy family dinner everyone will rave about.

Cuisine: Italian / American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pork cube steaks
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• 1/3 cup dry Italian breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 cup marinara sauce (I used jarred spaghetti sauce)
• 4 slices mozzarella cheese (or grated mozzarella cheese)
• Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving (optional)

Here's how to make it: 

1. Season the pork cube steaks on both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper, to taste. Put the Italian breadcrumbs into a shallow bowl, beat the egg in another shallow bowl and put the flour into a third bowl to create a dredging station.
2. Dip the pork into the flour, then into the egg, then into the dry breadcrumbs. Place on a baking sheet that has been sprayed well with nonstick cooking spray (I used olive oil cooking spray). Mist the tops of the pork with more nonstick cooking spray. Bake in a preheated 450-degree F oven for 15 minutes.
3. Remove the pork from the oven. Top with about 1/4 cup of marinara sauce on each pork steak and spread to cover.
4. Top with the mozzarella cheese.
5. Return to the boil and broil for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and started to lightly brown.
6. Serve with additional marinara sauce and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. (I sprinkled mine with parsley flakes.) Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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