Description
Pesto Mozzarella Stuffed Pork Chops are flavorful and easy to make. They combine juicy pork with rich pesto and melty mozzarella.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in pork chops (about 1-inch thick)
- 1/2 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese (shredded or sliced)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Carefully cut a pocket in each pork chop by slicing horizontally, being careful not to cut all the way through. Season the inside and outside of the chops with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Spread about 2 tablespoons of pesto inside each pork chop pocket. Add a generous amount of shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese.
- If needed, use toothpicks to secure the openings of the pork chops to keep the filling inside.
- In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the stuffed pork chops to the skillet and sear for about 3–4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Once seared, transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145°F (63°C). The cheese should be melted and bubbly.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and let the pork chops rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
- Serve your Pesto Mozzarella Stuffed Pork Chops warm, paired with your favorite sides!
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to check the pork’s internal temperature.
- Feel free to experiment with different cheeses.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Searing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pork chop
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
