Spinach and Goat Cheese Stuffed Pork Chops.
It is taking me a while to learn to cook for just two since becoming “empty” nesters. Lately, it seems, we order in, go out, eat simple, or eat leftovers for days and days and days when I do cook.
I still try to make a nice meal on Sunday, even if it is just the two of us. This past Sunday, I decided to make stuffed pork chops with a pack of (just two!) beautifully thick, center cut Iowa Chops I had picked up.
Instead of the usual bread stuffing, though, I wanted to do something different. So after perusing the web and finding a number of interesting combinations, I came up with a combination of fresh iron-rich spinach, creamy goat cheese, garlic to kick it up, and ruby red roasted red peppers for their beautiful color and flavor.
It made a beautiful, delicious, and healthier stuffing for our chops, and I served them on a bed of zoodles (spiral cut zucchini noodles).
How do you like to stuff your chops?! Hope you’ll give this version a try. Simply double or triple depending on how many you are cooking for if you are fortunate enough to be serving a crowd.
Spinach and Goat Cheese Stuffed Pork Chops
- 2 thick boneless Pork Chops (I used Iowa Chops*)
- 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp. Butter
- 2 cups fresh Spinach
- 1 Roasted Red Pepper, chopped
- 1/3 cup goat cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 tsp. dried basil
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp. dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
Directions
Steam spinach in microwave with 1 Tbsp. water for 1 minute on High until wilted. Drain, and squeeze water out. Add chopped roasted red peppers, minced garlic, and goat cheese. Stir to combine.
Cut a slit in each pork chop to create a pocket, being careful not to cut through to other side.
Spoon half of spinach mixture into the pocket of each pork chop.
Mix breadcrumbs, basil, oregano, parsley, and seasoned salt in shallow dish. Press stuffed pork chops on both sides into the bread crumb mixture to coat.
Heat oil and butter in skillet over medium/high heat. Add pork chops, and cook 4-5 minutes until nicely browned. Flip over and brown on other side until now longer pink in the middle. (If chops are extremely thick, you may want to put chops in preheated 375 degree oven for an additional 10 minutes once browned.)
*Iowa Chops: The notorious “Iowa Chop” is a seriously thick and succulent pork chop cut from the lower back of the hog just behind the rib. The thickness (1.25-1.5 inches) of this chop led it to be coined “The Iowa Chop” in the 1980’s by the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
Enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
(P.S. If you are a subscriber and seeing this twice, sorry for the inconvenience! I somehow scheduled it to publish in an incomplete state last evening, so have updated. Thanks for reading!)
Delicious
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they really are! 🙂
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I have never thought to stuff a pork chop … this is about to change! Yummy … thank you, Jodi 😊
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really?! Yay to teach you something new to knock your family and friends’ socks off! 🙂
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Looks amazing as always Jodi – I think you are a domestic goddess…. !!
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LOL! Far from it, but thank you. HATE cleaning. 🙂
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My mouth waters just thinking about it, Jodi. Hugs!
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Thanks! They really are mouth watering! 🙂
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This looks like another winner! (K)
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Looks and sounds delicious Jodi! YUM!! You are such an awesome cook!!
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Oh – they really aren’t hard at all. But VERY yummy! I could eat just the filling! LOL! 🙂
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The filling does sound delicious!
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I may be missing something, but I don’t see the amount of goat cheese listed in the recipe. Now, that said, I have to add that I am not a fan of goat cheese. Any suggestions on a substitute? They do look yummy though! Thank-you!
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Oh thank you for letting me know Ellen! I had left it out last night when typing, caught it, and thought I added, but must have forgot to save. I added again. Can you confirm if you can see. As for substitutes – Do you like Feta? That might work nicely. Or possibly cream cheese or creme fraiche for a nice creamy texture like goat cheese. Mozarella might also be nice.
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Oh Goodness! I just looked and see none of my text showed up for my “story” about making these! SHEESH! Must’ve been very tired typing last night and forgot to save! ARGH!
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I hate it when I do this, Jodi! 😯 But I do see the goat cheese in the ingredients list now. 👍
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Phew!
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Just getting back to you now. It was Benjamin’s first day of preschool! Thank-you for the suggestions and I think that I will try cream cheese first.
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Awh! How did Benjamin’s first day of preschool go? 🙂 ❤
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YUM YUM! OK, where do you get all these awesome recipes? Your family members are the luckiest eaters anywhere!
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lol – and we have the tummies to show for it! 🙂 I bought these beautiful chops and I thought I wanted to stuff them, but with something different, so I googled. Then, after reading a few different recipes, took a bit of this and a little of that, and added what I thought, and came up with these 🙂 That’s how I usually roll.
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Looks yummy!
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It really is 🙂
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Oh, That’s mouth watering, I have to try this!!!!
As soon as I stop salivating.. 🙂
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lol! Enjoy!
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Goat cheese is delicious, but am not so much for pork (also because I have friends who refuse to eat pork) – do you think it would work with lamb chops? https://artworksfromjeshstg.wordpress.com/2017/09/09/september-changes/
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I do think it would! It would also be delicious stuffed in chicken breasts! 🙂
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They look and I’d imagine TASTE fantastic!! 👍 I’ve never tried stuffing pork chops either but these sound amazing!! ❤️
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hope you’ll try some time!
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The first thoughts in my mind were…Holy Cow, that looks delicious !!! I stand by my words, and placed on a bed of zoodles….yum….you certainly have my attention ! 🙂
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🙂 Nummy Nummy!
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I have the same problem Jodi… I can’t seem to cook for just two!!! It is a good thing my husband likes leftovers! This looks delicious!
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Mine too! LOL! 🙂
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It requires some adjustment cooking for fewer people doesn’t it? Looks lovely Jodi!
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It sure does! I can only imagine for you!!! 🙂 ❤
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yes huge adjustments!
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Company is coming for dinner this weekend and you’ve given me inspiration. I can’t wait to try these delicious pork chops.
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Oh Yay! Hope you all enjoy!!!!!
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Now that looks mouth watering..:)
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Oh where they goooood!!!! 😉
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Oh, my gosh! I love stuffing pork chops but rarely do things like this for myself. . . I should prepare two and eat one the next day, Jodi! Thanks so much, dear! 🎈🎉
I used to make a sour cream sauce (butter, whole wheat flour and then add slowly sour cream to the white sauce) with a little cumin, sauteed onions and garlic chips. Then, set aside and fry up the pork chops and simmer for about ten minutes (making a small cut in the edge into the thick part to see if the juices run clear and cooked. I am definitely going to try goat cheese, spinach and the spices you listed!! 😜 Yummy! Drooling now. . .
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Oh yum!!!’ Do it! You are worth it!
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Delicious dinner idea, this recipe is a keeper!
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Oh Kreso…. it’s soooo good!
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I believe! 😀
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