Pork Chops Stuffed With Smoked Gouda And Bacon Recipe

Are you ready to elevate your dinner game with a mouthwatering stuffed pork chop recipe that'll impress even the pickiest eaters? These pork chops, packed with smoky Gouda and crispy bacon, transform an ordinary weeknight meal into a restaurant-worthy experience. You'll learn how to create a perfectly stuffed, golden-brown chop that's juicy on the inside and packed with incredible flavor. Intrigued by the possibilities of a gourmet home-cooked meal that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end kitchen?

Recipe Highlights

• Create a deep pocket in thick-cut boneless pork chops without cutting through, using a sharp boning knife for precise stuffing preparation.
• Prepare a 50/50 mixture of crispy crumbled bacon and shredded smoked Gouda cheese to create a rich, flavorful stuffing.
• Season pork chops externally with salt, brush with olive oil, and carefully stuff the cheese and bacon mixture into the created pocket.
• Cook stuffed pork chops in an oven-safe skillet, searing first and then baking at 375°F until internal temperature reaches 145°F (25-30 minutes).
• Let the stuffed pork chops rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to redistribute juices, ensuring a tender and flavorful final dish.

History

While stuffed meat dishes have roots in European culinary traditions, the specific combination of pork chops with cheese and bacon is a more modern American innovation.

You'll find this dish represents a creative twist on classic protein preparation techniques. Home cooks began experimenting with stuffed meat cuts in the mid-20th century, seeking ways to transform simple proteins into more exciting meals.

Regional influences played a significant role, with Southern and Midwestern cooking styles particularly embracing cheese and bacon as flavor enhancers. Culinary innovation drove chefs and home cooks to explore new stuffing combinations, elevating standard pork chops from mundane to memorable.

Recipe

Pork chops take on a whole new level of deliciousness when stuffed with rich, smoky ingredients. This recipe transforms ordinary pork chops into a gourmet meal that combines the salty crunch of bacon with the creamy, complex flavor of smoked Gouda cheese.

The key to perfect stuffed pork chops lies in careful preparation and precise cooking. By creating a generous pocket in thick-cut pork chops and filling them with a savory mixture of crispy bacon and melted cheese, home cooks can elevate a simple protein into a restaurant-worthy main course.

Ingredients:

• 4 thick-cut boneless pork chops
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 8 ounces smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Carefully cut a deep horizontal pocket into each pork chop, being careful not to slice completely through the meat.

Cook the bacon until crisp, then crumble into small pieces. Mix the crumbled bacon with shredded smoked Gouda cheese.

Generously stuff each pork chop pocket with the bacon and cheese mixture. If needed, secure the openings with toothpicks. Season the outside of the pork chops with salt and brush with olive oil. Place the stuffed chops in a baking dish and cook in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

Allow the pork chops to rest for 5 minutes after cooking to help redistribute the juices and ensure maximum tenderness. Remove any toothpicks before serving, and consider pairing with roasted vegetables or a light salad for a complete meal.

When preparing stuffed pork chops, choose thick-cut chops at least 1.5 inches thick to provide ample room for stuffing and prevent drying out during cooking.

If the cheese begins to brown too quickly, tent the pork chops with aluminum foil. Always use a meat thermometer to check doneness, as stuffed chops can be more challenging to judge by visual appearance alone.

Cooking Steps

Start by carefully slicing a deep pocket into each thick-cut pork chop, ensuring you don't cut completely through the meat.

Mix your crispy, crumbled bacon with the shredded smoked Gouda, creating a savory stuffing that'll transform your ordinary pork chops into a restaurant-worthy dish.

Season the outside of the chops generously with salt, brush with olive oil, and get ready to create a meal that'll have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Step 1. Slice Chops Carefully

Carefully create a perfect pocket in your pork chops by using a sharp boning knife or a sturdy paring knife with a thin, flexible blade. Position the chop horizontally on a cutting board, stabilizing it with your non-dominant hand.

Begin slicing through the thickest side, angling the knife parallel to the cutting board, and slice about 3/4 of the way through the meat.

Key slicing techniques:

• Cut slowly and deliberately
• Maintain a steady hand
• Keep blade parallel to the board
• Avoid cutting completely through the chop

Stop just short of the opposite edge, creating a hinged pocket. Your goal is a wide, even cavity that'll generously hold the cheese and bacon mixture without compromising the chop's structural integrity.

Practice makes perfect, so don't get discouraged if your first attempts aren't flawless.

Step 2. Mix Bacon and Cheese

Since crispy bacon and melty smoked Gouda are the stars of this stuffed pork chop recipe, you'll want to combine them with precision and care. Crumble your perfectly cooked bacon into small, uniform pieces using a sharp knife or your fingers, ensuring no large chunks remain. Shred the smoked Gouda using a box grater, aiming for consistent, thin strands that'll melt beautifully inside the pork chop pocket.

• Mix bacon and cheese in a medium bowl
• Use gentle folding motions to distribute ingredients
• Aim for an even 50/50 blend of smoky bacon and rich cheese
• Taste and adjust seasoning if needed

When stuffing, press the mixture gently but firmly into the chop's pocket, making sure it's distributed evenly from edge to edge. This guarantees a perfect bite every time.

Step 3. Season Pork Chops Outside

After perfectly blending your bacon and cheese mixture, you'll want to prepare the exterior of the pork chops with equal care.

Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt evenly across both sides of the meat, using gentle, sweeping motions to distribute seasoning uniformly. The salt won't only enhance flavor but also help create a delectable golden-brown exterior during roasting.

Brush each chop with olive oil, which will:

• Promote even browning
• Lock in moisture
• Help seasonings adhere
• Create a subtle, rich flavor foundation

Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure maximum salt and oil absorption.

This simple technique guarantees a beautifully seasoned, succulent final dish that'll have everyone asking for seconds.

Step 4. Place Pork Chops in Pan

Grab a large, oven-safe skillet and set it over medium-high heat to prepare for searing your stuffed pork chops. Drizzle olive oil across the pan, ensuring an even coating that'll help create a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Carefully place each stuffed pork chop into the hot skillet, allowing about 2-3 minutes of searing per side. Listen for that satisfying sizzle and watch for a rich, caramelized exterior developing. You'll want to use tongs to gently turn the chops, maintaining their delicate stuffed shape.

Watch for these key visual cues:

• Golden-brown edges
• Slight resistance when flipping
• Even surface coloration

Once both sides are perfectly seared, transfer the skillet directly into the preheated 375°F oven. This method ensures consistent cooking and locks in those incredible bacon and Gouda flavors.

Step 5. Rest and Serve

When the pork chops emerge from the oven, they'll need a moment to rest and redistribute their delicious juices, ensuring each bite remains incredibly tender and flavorful.

Let the meat sit undisturbed on a cutting board for 5 minutes, which allows internal temperatures to stabilize and prevents moisture loss when cutting.

Remove any visible toothpicks before serving.

Transfer the stuffed pork chops to warm plates, keeping them intact to showcase the beautiful cheese and bacon filling.

Consider garnishing with fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for visual appeal and a subtle aromatic touch.

Slice carefully to maintain the stuffing's integrity, revealing the molten Gouda and crispy bacon nestled within the juicy pork.

Serve immediately while the cheese remains warm and gooey.

Final Thoughts

Though stuffed pork chops might seem intimidating at first glance, this recipe proves that gourmet cooking can be surprisingly accessible for home chefs.

You'll discover that with careful preparation and attention to detail, you can transform an ordinary cut of meat into a restaurant-quality dish.

Consider practicing your knife skills when creating the pocket, and don't hesitate to ask your butcher for assistance if needed.

Temperature control and precise timing are crucial – using a meat thermometer eliminates guesswork and ensures perfect results every time.

Remember that resting the meat allows juices to redistribute, keeping your stuffed pork chops incredibly tender and flavorful.