Discover Your Creative Kitchen AI Companion
Let our assistant inspire your next meal!
Simply provide a recipe idea or the ingredients you have, and ScrummyChef will instantly come up with a new recipe just for you.

Stuffed Pork Chops with Pesto

4.5
Save
Rate
Tap to rate
PREP TIME
15 min
COOKING TIME
45 min
TOTAL TIME
60 min
SERVINGS
4 servings
Dinner
Stuffed Pork Chops with Pesto
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chilled basil pesto
  • 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts
  • 4 bone-in pork loin chops, 1 1/4-inch thick
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to the optimal temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit (or 190 degrees Celsius).
2
In a bowl, combine crumbled feta cheese, basil pesto, and toasted pine nuts. Utilize the tip of a sharp knife to carefully create a 3-inch incision along the side of each pork chop, approximately 2 inches deep and one-quarter inch away from the bone. This incision will serve as a pocket for filling the pork chops with pesto.
3
Fill each pork chop with the prepared pesto mixture and secure it in place using toothpicks.
4
In a small bowl, blend together black pepper, dried oregano, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and thyme. Gently rub the spice mixture onto both sides of each pork chop.
5
Arrange the seasoned pork chops in a shallow baking dish.
6
Bake the pork chops in the preheated oven until they are nicely browned and the stuffing is heated through, approximately 40 minutes. To ensure food safety, check the internal temperature of the stuffing using an instant-read thermometer; it should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit (or 63 degrees Celsius).
7
Brush the pork chops with balsamic vinegar and continue baking until a glaze forms, adding an additional 5 minutes to the cooking time.