This easy-to-follow recipe for Pesto Mozzarella Stuffed Pork Chops takes your ho-hum boneless pork to a whole new level with the addition of flavorful pesto, gooey melted mozzarella cheese and a crispy crunchy exterior.
With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this dish is perfect for impressing dinner guests or simply elevating your weeknight dinner routine.
Not a fan of pork? Feel free to use the recipe for a stuffed chicken breast recipe.
NOTE: Pesto typically contains pine nuts or other nuts. If you can't tolerate nuts in your diet, try using my recipe for NUT FREE PESTO.
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Love the flavors of pesto and mozzarella? Me too! Try this Mozzarella Pesto Pasta or Pesto Mozzarella Chicken Burger!
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Ingredients
While the stuffed pork looks fancy, no fancy ingredients needed.
See the printable recipe card for exact amounts.
- Olive oil
- Mozzarella cheese - shredded
- Pesto Sauce - you can use whichever pesto you like - homemade or store bought
- Breadcrumbs - Italian seasoned
- Pork - Boneless chops
- Flour - all purpose
- Salt & Pepper
- Eggs
- Water
How to make stuffed pork chops
Start by mixing a small amount of breadcrumbs with the pesto and mozzarella to create the filling. Set aside.
Next you want to use a sharp knife to create a pocket for the stuffing. Be careful not to cut all the way through the other side!
Stuff the filling in each pocket of pork.
Create a dredging station in shallow bowls or similar. One for flour, one for breadcrumbs and one with eggs beaten with water.
Dip the stuffed pork first in flour then the egg and then the breadcrumbs.
Heat oil in large non-stick, oven-safe skillet.
Cook the pork on one side until crispy and browned and then flip over. Once the other side is browned, pop it in the oven to finish cooking.
Always use a quick-read thermometer to be sure pork has come to a safe temperature.
FAQ
The USDA now says pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees F.
Start pork on the stove top and finish cooking in the oven for a moist pork chop.
TOP TIP: When purchasing boneless pork chops be sure to get ones that are at least one inch thick.
Serving suggestions
My favorite side dish to serve with stuffed pork chops is a simple seasoned angel hair but you can decide your favorite side dish.
- herbed angel hair pasta (butter, salt, pepper, garlic and tons of parsley)
- herbed rice
- couscous
- buttered egg noodles
- mashed potatoes
- creamy polenta
- instant pot risotto
Equipment
We all have our favorite tools and cookware but I thought it might help to share with you a few items that work will with this recipe.
- Non-Stick Oven-Safe Skillet - This skillet by Ninja is my new favorite.
- Breading Station Containers
Printable Recipe Card
Pesto Mozzarella Stuffed Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ Cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 2 Tablespoon pesto sauce
- 2 Tablespoon dried breadcrumbs seasoned
- ½ Cup dried breadcrumbs seasoned
- 4 boneless pork chops thick cut
- ÂĽ Cup flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ÂĽ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten mixed with 1 t water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 °F
- Combine mozzarella, pesto and 2 T breadcrumbs in a bowl. Set aside.
- Cut a slit in each pork chop, forming a pocket. Be sure NOT to cut all the way through. Stuff each chop with mozzarella mixture.
- Create a dredging station using three shallow bowls. One for flour, salt and pepper. The next for eggs lightly beaten with water and the third for the breadcrumbs.
- Dredge each stuffed chop in flour, then in egg and finally in breadcrumbs (coat both sides).
- Heat oil in a large non-stick, oven-proof skillet over medium heat.
- Add chops and cook until brown (about 3-4 min). Carefully flip chops over and brown other side. Once both sides are browned, transfer the chops in oven-safe skillet into the oven. Bake 12-15 minutes, until pork is cooked through.
- Serve over pasta, rice or mashed potato.
Nicky says
This looks so good, I'm drooling. It's a great way to dress up ordinary chops. I stumbled this.
Kecia says
Oh boy! This look amazing!
foodyschmoody says
Thank you Kecia!
Meg @ The Housewife In Training Files says
This looks right up my alley! I love stuffed pork chops and have yet to have them with pesto and mozzarella! So delish. pinned!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks Meg. You'll love them and they're so easy!
Joanne T Ferguson says
G'day! I would love to come through the screen and try this right now!
Cheers! Joanne
foodyschmoody says
Hehehehe. Thanks Joanne.
Chrissy says
Whoa...Yum...These look so much better than the ones my aunt used to make!
foodyschmoody says
Ha! Thanks for that, not sure your aunt would appreciate it, but I sure do! 🙂
Kate says
Yum! I rarely cook Pork Chops because I'm not a huge fan of pork, but I can't resist a good sale either. I'll have to try this one since it seems like it's full of flavor 🙂
foodyschmoody says
It would also work well with chicken, you know, if you can find it on sale 🙂 Thanks for coming by Kate.
Emily @ Love, Pasta and a Tool Belt says
OMG! These look so delicious! Pinning and adding to my menu soon!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks Emily!
Kenneth Goh says
I loved pork chops .. It reminds me that I must try cooking it too. Thanks for sharing with 4 seasons blog hop. cheers and have a nice day.
Julia says
I am featuring your recipe tomorrow on Tasty Tuesday! Thank you for linking up with us! Please stop by tomorrow and grab a featured button and link up again!
Julia @ Mini Van Dreams
foodyschmoody says
Yay!!!!! Thanks so much! I will absolutely be by tomorrow!
Sandra - The Foodie Affair says
This looks so good! Yes, you win. This is cooked perfectly 🙂
foodyschmoody says
Haha! Thanks Sandra! Next time we have the conversation, I will direct him here to your comment!
Min says
Hi Christine! I found your blog from the StumbleUpon community group on Google+. Love your blog and looks like I'll be spending some time browsing through all your recipes ;). I'm not a huge fan of bone in pork chops either. This is such a simple recipe to follow! Sounds like a perfect weekday meal.
foodyschmoody says
Thanks so much for coming over and taking a look. I'm loving that community because it's a whole new group of blogs to check out. I'm slowly making my way through. I'll be finding my way over to yours soon 🙂
Peter @ Feed Your Soul Too says
Love the stuffing. That really makes the dish.
Suzy @ The Mediterranean Dish says
What a great recipe! Takes the pork chop to a new level. Well done, Christine!
nancy@skinnykitchen.com says
What a yummy dinner Christine!
Julie says
Wow, now that is making my mouth water, Pork chops are going on next weeks shopping list right now!
foodyschmoody says
Oh great to hear Julie! You'll be surprised at how easy it is!
Christine says
I think I have some pork chops in my freezer. Mmmmm! This looks so good!
linda spiker says
Oh my gosh! that pork looks amazing! Pinned.
foodyschmoody says
Thanks, it's amazing how much flavor is packed in this easy dish.
Manju | Cooking Curries says
This looks really good! I mught have to make some for the husband!
Jim says
Pork chops were moist and delicious.
Very fast meal.
Amazing
foodyschmoody says
Glad you liked them. This is definitely one of my faves and much easier than people think!