Creamy Basil-Stuffed Pork Chops in Mushroom Sauce
Elevate your dinner with these delightful Creamy Basil-Stuffed Pork Chops. Each center-cut chop is carefully butterflied and stuffed with a luscious mixture of melted mozzarella and fragrant fresh basil, perfectly marrying flavors in every bite. The chops are then seared to golden perfection and baked in a velvety mushroom cream sauce enriched with dry white wine and chicken broth. Serve this exquisite dish over a bed of buttery egg noodles for a comforting meal that's perfect for any occasion. Inspired by a memorable episode of Lidia's Italy, this recipe brings restaurant-quality flair right to your kitchen.
N/A
Servings
400
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
center-cut pork chops
3/4 lb (2 each, 1 inch thick)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
freshly ground black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
mozzarella cheese
2 ounces (shredded)
fresh basil leaves
to taste (for stuffing)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for frying)
butter
1 tablespoon (for frying)
onion
1 tablespoon (minced)
mushrooms
4 ounces (quartered lengthwise)
dry white wine
1/4 cup
chicken broth
1/4 cup
heavy cream
1/2 cup
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a pocket in each pork chop, slicing through the meat but stopping just before reaching the bone. Gently pound each chop with a mallet to create a smoother pocket for stuffing.
3
Season the inside of the pockets with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Fill each pocket generously with the shredded mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves, ensuring even distribution.
4
Secure the open side of the pork chops with wooden toothpicks, then lightly pound the edges to seal the stuffing inside.
5
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the stuffed pork chops and sauté them for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown. Remove the chops from the skillet and transfer them to a baking dish.
6
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the minced onions and quartered mushrooms. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms have softened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7
Pour in the dry white wine, chicken broth, and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Let the mixture simmer for 1 minute to meld the flavors together.
8
Carefully pour the mushroom cream sauce over the browned pork chops in the baking dish.
9
Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the pork chops are cooked through and tender.
10
Once cooked, remove from the oven, let rest for a few minutes, and serve hot, drizzled with the creamy mushroom sauce over your choice of buttery egg noodles.
Nutrition Information
25
Fat
15
Carbs
30
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Basil-Stuffed Pork Chops?
It is a dish featuring center-cut pork chops butterflied and stuffed with mozzarella and basil, served in a mushroom cream sauce.
How many pork chops are needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 center-cut pork chops, weighing approximately 3/4 lb.
What is the recommended thickness for the pork chops?
The pork chops should be approximately 1 inch thick.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
What kind of cheese is used in the stuffing?
The stuffing uses shredded mozzarella cheese.
How much mozzarella cheese is required?
You will need 2 ounces of shredded mozzarella.
What herb is used to stuff the pork chops?
Fresh basil leaves are used for the stuffing.
How do I prepare the pork chops for stuffing?
Carefully cut a pocket in each chop and gently pound with a mallet to create a smoother pocket.
How do I keep the stuffing inside the chops?
Secure the open side with wooden toothpicks and lightly pound the edges to seal.
What is used to fry the pork chops?
The pork chops are sautéed in a combination of 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter.
How long should the pork chops be seared?
Sauté the chops for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
What vegetables are included in the sauce?
The sauce includes 1 tablespoon of minced onion and 4 ounces of quartered mushrooms.
What are the liquid ingredients for the mushroom sauce?
The sauce is made with dry white wine, chicken broth, and heavy cream.
How much dry white wine is used?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of dry white wine.
How much chicken broth is needed?
You will need 1/4 cup of chicken broth.
How much heavy cream is in the sauce?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of heavy cream.
How long should the dish be baked?
Bake the pork chops for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
What should this dish be served with?
It is recommended to serve these pork chops over buttery egg noodles.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 400 calories per serving.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
Each serving contains 25 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 30 grams of protein.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by an episode of Lidia's Italy.
How should the mushrooms be prepared?
The mushrooms should be quartered lengthwise before cooking.
Should the meat rest after cooking?
Yes, remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
What seasonings are used for the meat?
The recipe uses salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Is this dish considered Italian cuisine?
Yes, it is tagged as Italian cuisine.
Can I use a different type of pork?
The recipe specifies center-cut pork chops for the best results when stuffing.
How many ingredients are required in total?
There are 12 ingredients listed for this recipe.
Is this a good recipe for a special occasion?
Yes, the description notes it has restaurant-quality flair and is perfect for any occasion.