Stuffing Stuffed Pork Chops

Stuffing has been pigeonholed as a one-holiday side dish for too long. It’s time to give stuffing the proper attention it deserves - as a delicious dish to be enjoyed all year long, and not just with turkey. Yum!

Considered “the other white meat” because of the color it takes on when cooked, the mild flavor of pork chops pairs well with stuffing in a similar way as turkey. Stuffing and cooking pork chops for dinner only takes about 30 minutes compared to the several hours you would spend on a turkey though.

This easy dinner whips up in no time and uses staple ingredients with only a few fresh additions. Get some nice thick-cut pork chops and get started!

🥘 Ingredients

• Chicken Broth - Chicken broth comes in cans or cartons and is located on the soup aisle. If you don’t use chicken broth often, a can may be better as they come in smaller serving sizes (so you won’t have to store any leftover broth in the fridge).
• Stove Top Stuffing Boxed Mix - Stove Top is the most popular ready-to-make stuffing. It is already seasoned and doesn’t require any additional ingredients like other stuffing mixes. Follow the directions provided below to prepare the stuffing, rather than the directions on the box.
• Milk - Any milk you have on hand will work for this recipe. If you don’t use milk regularly, just buy a small half-pint for the recipe. Use half & half if you keep that in the fridge.
• Butter - Salted or unsalted butter will work for this recipe. Use what you already have or normally buy. I like to use the fattier European butter for a richer flavor.
• Pork Chops - Bone-in pork chops will add some additional flavor, but they are more complicated to slice and stuff. Boneless pork loins will be easier to slice while still tasting amazing.
• Seasoning - Begin with the measurements provided below for seasoning (salt, pepper, onion powder) before cooking. If desired, add additional seasoning after baking and once you have tasted it.

Optional Add-On Ingredients

• White Onion - Onion is a common ingredient in most stuffing recipes and will add to the traditional flavor of the stuffing. Use a white or a yellow onion.
• Celery - Celery is another common ingredient in stuffing that will add to the traditional flavor. Since celery only comes in one big bunch or bag, you will probably end up with extra, so consider making another recipe that calls for celery later in the week.
• Dried Cranberries - Dried cranberries will add a sweet flavor to your stuffing and are a great, easy way to change the flavor of the stuffing. Adding cranberries will give you a sweet and savory dish once everything is combined. It's also the perfect flavor contrast to all the savory elements.
• Gravy - Gravy is a delicious option if you want that real comfort meal. Choose a brown or white country gravy, and serve it as an option for individuals to pour over the top of the pork chops.

📖 Variations

Pork Loin Round: If you can’t find boneless pork loin chops in your grocery store you can create your own. Look for a 1 ½ to 2-pound boneless pork loin in the butcher section of the grocery store. These will usually be in an oval shape.

Place the pork loin on a cutting board and begin at one end, about 4 inches in from the end. Slice it as if you were slicing a loaf of bread.

Want to make it even easier? Ask the butcher to slice it for you before you even leave the store.

Cream of Mushroom: Fill the bottom of the baking dish with a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup (plus half the milk or liquid - the pork chop juices will combine to make the gravy the right consistency). Place the pork chops in the cream and prepare as directed.

Stuffing Options

The recipe calls for Stove Top stuffing because it’s so easy. You could also make my easy stuffing or my cornbread stuffing for a little more home cooking.

You don’t have to use Stove Top though. Any stuffing will work. Pepperidge Farm is another popular and traditional stuffing mix. It takes a bit more prep work but it is another great option to try.

If you choose a stuffing that is different from Stove Top, SKIP steps 2-5 (those are specific to the Stove Top brand). Instead, follow the directions provided with the stuffing you choose, and then come back to the directions in this recipe and start on step 6.

🔪 How To Make Stuffing Stuffed Pork Chops

Grab a large bowl, a cutting board, a sharp knife, and your ingredients. If you are going to add the optional ingredients (onion and celery), chop those first before beginning anything else.

This will save you time because you won’t have to wash the cutting board and knife before cutting the pork chops, and everything will be ready to toss into the mixing bowl or saute.

1x recipe yields 4 hearty entree servings. You can cut down on the stuffing and fill 6 pork chops instead to yield 6 servings.

Prep & Mix The Stuffing

Step 1: Preheat. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C/Gas Mark 5) and grease a 9x13 pan or baking dish with oil or non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken Broth. Heat 1 ½ cups (355 milliliters) of chicken broth in the microwave for 2 minutes on high, or heat to a low boil in a small saucepan on the stovetop.

Step 3: Prepare Stuffing. Combine 6 ounces (170 grams) of Stove Top Stuffing Mix with the heated broth, 2 tablespoons butter, and ½ cup (118.3 milliliters) milk (photo 1).

Add optional ingredients. Add ½ cup (80 grams) of chopped white onion, ½ cup (50.5 grams) of chopped celery, and/or ½ cup (60.6 grams) of dried cranberries if desired to the stuffing mix.

Step 4: Mix Stuffing. Mix all the stuffing ingredients until well combined and set aside (photo 2).

Prep & Stuff The Pork Chops

Step 5. Prepare Pork Chops. Trim any fat from 1 ½ pounds (680.4 grams) of pork chops, then use a sharp knife to cut ¾ of the way through the thickest portion of the pork chops (butterfly-style). Do this carefully, so you do not cut all the way through (photos 3, 4).

Step 6: Stuff Pork Chops: Fill each pocket of the pork chop with approximately ½ cup portion of the stuffing mixture and place them into the prepared baking dish. Spread any remaining stuffing around the pork chops (photos 5, 6).

Step 7: Season Pork Chops. Mix together ½ teaspoon each of salt and pepper, plus ¼ teaspoon onion powder then sprinkle seasoning onto each stuffed pork chop.

Step 8: Bake. Bake in the middle of the center rack in your oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of your pork chops. The internal temperature should reach a minimum of 145°F (63°C) before serving. Remove from the oven when done and serve immediately. Pour gravy over when serving if desired.

🥗🥘🍲 Best Served With

Since the stuffing is already inside the pork chops, add another side to fill out the meal, green beans or brussel sprouts go great with this meal, and mashed potatoes will also compliment it nicely. Enjoy!

💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes

• 1-inch Pork Chops are important. Some pork chops are cut very thin. These will not work for this recipe since you won’t be able to slice them again to stuff.
• No really thick cuts of meat. These will take longer to cook all the way through. You may even think it’s cooked, but then cut into the middle only to find it is still raw.
• Optional pan sear. The pork chops pan be pan-seared over medium heat with a tablespoon of olive oil to add a golden coloring before stuffing and baking.
• Saute the veggies if desired. Saute the onion and celery before combining them with your stuffing ingredients if your family prefers them super soft.

🥡 Storing & Reheating

You can store these chops in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Properly store them in an airtight glass or plastic storage container with a lid.

Since the stuffing doesn’t freeze as well as the meat, I generally would not recommend freezing these.

Reheating

These pork chops will reheat quite well in the microwave. If already in a microwave-safe container, just pop it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Heating times will vary depending on the microwave. Begin with less time and then increase as needed for desired warmth.

If stored in an oven-safe glass container you can also reheat these in the oven. Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C/Gas Mark 5) for 15-20 minutes.

Again, heating time will vary depending on how hot you want the pork chops. Check after 15 minutes by testing the center stuffing and continue heating if needed.

📖 Recipe Card