How Long and What Temperature to Bake Stuffed Pork Chops for Perfectly Delicious Results

Stuffed pork chops are a delicious and impressive dinner option. The combination of juicy, flavorful pork paired with savory stuffing is hard to beat. However, getting the right bake time and temperature can seem tricky, especially if you want your pork chops to turn out moist and tender.

Here, I’ll share everything you need to know about how long and what temperature to bake stuffed pork chops to get ideal results every time.

Why Try Stuffed Pork Chops?

Stuffed pork chops are a simple way to infuse ordinary pork chops with extra flavor. Rather than eating a plain old boneless or bone-in pork chop, you can fill it with tasty fillings like cornbread stuffing, apple and sausage stuffing, or spinach and feta.

The filling adds another element of texture and taste that pairs perfectly with the mild flavor of pork. Plus, when you cut into a stuffed chop at the dinner table, it makes for a beautiful presentation.

Choosing the Right Pork Chops

For the best stuffed pork chops you want the thickness to be around 1 1⁄2 inches. Thinner chops won’t hold the filling as well. Look for bone-in rib chops or boneless loin chops.

You can ask your butcher to slice a pocket into the chops to make stuffing them easier. If not, you’ll need to slice into the chop yourself to create space for the filling.

For added moisture and flavor, I recommend choosing bone-in over boneless. The bone acts as insulation to prevent overcooking.

Browning the Pork Chops

Before baking, it’s important to sear or brown the pork chops. Here’s why:

• Browning adds depth of flavor through the Maillard reaction.

• It gives the chops an appetizing, golden brown exterior.

• It allows you to cook the insides to perfection in the oven without burning the outside.

To brown them, heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chops and cook 1-2 minutes per side until browned.

Be careful not to overcook them here. You just want a quick sear to set the stage for baking.

Preparing the Filling

You can get creative with stuffed pork chop fillings! Some tasty options include:

• Bread stuffing – The classic choice made with bread cubes, onion, celery, herbs.

• Cornbread stuffing – For a Southern flair.

• Apple and sausage – Sweet and savory.

• Spinach and feta – Brings a pop of color.

Sauté any veggies in the filling ahead of time until tender. Allow any bread cubes to dry out overnight for the best texture.

Cool any cooked meats before stuffing into the pork chops.

How to Stuff and Bake the Chops

Once your pork chops are seared and filling is prepped, you’re ready to stuff and bake:

• Place 1/2 – 3/4 cup filling into each chop’s pocket, mounding it up.

• Arrange chops in a baking dish and add any extra filling around them.

• Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F.

• Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

The key is to keep the oven temperature moderate. Too high, and the pork will dry out before the inside cooks through.

Common Questions About Baking Stuffed Pork Chops

If you’re new to making stuffed pork chops, you may be wondering:

• Should you cover them while baking? No need to cover them. Leaving them uncovered allows the tops to brown.

• Can you bake them straight from frozen? Yes, but add 10-15 extra minutes to the bake time if starting from frozen.

• What if I don’t have a meat thermometer? Use the visual cues of an opaque center and clear juices to check for doneness.

• Can I stuff boneless pork chops? You sure can, though bone-in contain more moisture.

• What if my chops are really thick? Thicker chops will need closer to 35 minutes baking time, potentially longer.

• Can I bake at higher heat to shorten bake time? It’s best not to exceed 400°F, or the exterior will overcook before the inside cooks through. Stick to moderate heat.

Ensuring Tender, Juicy Results

To keep your stuffed chops from drying out, follow these tips:

• Use bone-in chops for added moisture.

• Don’t over-sear before baking.

• Bake at a moderate 375°F oven temperature.

• Cook until just 145°F internal temperature.

• Allow chops to rest 5 minutes before slicing to redistribute juices.

Cooking Times for Different Thicknesses

Here are some general guidelines for bake times based on the thickness of your pork chops:

• 1 inch thick – 20-22 minutes
• 1 1⁄2 inches thick – 25-30 minutes
• 2 inches thick – 30-35 minutes

Remember, always use a meat thermometer in the thickest portion to check for 145°F. Let your thermometer be the deciding factor on doneness, not solely bake time.

Sample Baking Instructions

To give you an idea of what baking instructions might look like, here is an example for 1 1⁄2 inch thick, bone-in pork chops:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Heat 1 Tbs oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Sear pork chops 2 minutes per side until browned.
• Arrange chops in a baking dish and fill pockets with desired stuffing.
• Bake 25-30 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
• Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.

This will result in tender and juicy stuffed pork chops cooked to perfection.

Serving Suggestions

Stuffed pork chops pair nicely with a variety of side dishes. Consider:

• Mashed potatoes – Classic and hearty.

• Roasted veggies – Colorful and healthy.

• Green salad – Fresh and light.

• Dinner rolls – For sopping up tasty pan juices.

A crisp white wine or amber beer makes a nice beverage pairing.

Make Tonight Delicious

I hope these tips give you the confidence to make wonderfully delicious stuffed pork chops for dinner soon. Follow the guidelines for baking time and temperature, and you’ll have tender, juicy chops your family will request time and time again.

For an easy recipe to try, check out this Baked Stuffed Pork Chops recipe from Simply Whisked or this Stuffed Pork Chops recipe with Savory Bread Stuffing from Tastes of Lizzy T. Enjoy this special dinner tonight!