Pork Chops And Stuffing For Two

This pork chops and stuffing for two recipe is an easy comfort food dinner that combines seasoned pork chops, savory stuffing, and a creamy sauce in one small baking dish. Using boxed stuffing mix keeps the preparation simple, making this a great recipe for a weeknight dinner or a quiet Sunday meal at home.

As much as I enjoy traditional Thanksgiving stuffing, for this recipe there is no need to dry bread cubes, measure several different herbs, or make a large casserole that leaves you eating leftovers all week. Half a box of stuffing mix and two pork chops give you just the right amount for a satisfying dinner for two.

The stuffing soaks up flavor as everything bakes, while a simple cream of mushroom sauce adds moisture and gives you something delicious to spoon over the pork. Add green beans, broccoli, or your favorite cooked vegetable, and dinner is complete.

Best of all, you can assemble the dish with just a few everyday ingredients. A quick sear gives the pork chops some color before they go into the oven, and the stuffing comes together in minutes.

An Easy Comfort Food Dinner For Two

Some dinners just sound good when the weather turns cooler, and pork chops with stuffing is one of them. It has the familiar flavors of a larger Sunday dinner without requiring several pots and pans.

Boxed stuffing mix does much of the work because the bread pieces are already dried and seasoned. A little hot water and butter are all you need to soften the mixture before adding it to the baking dish.

For this recipe, use half of a standard 6-ounce box. That gives you a generous serving of stuffing for each person without filling a large casserole dish.

Be sure to save the other half of the box to make my Crock Pot Chicken and Stuffing Casserole recipe.

What Type Of Pork Chops To Use

Boneless pork chops that are approximately ¾ to 1 inch thick work best here. Choose two that are similar in size so they cook at about the same rate.

Very thin pork chops are better suited for quick cooking methods. They can finish cooking before the stuffing and sauce are hot, making them more likely to dry out.

Save those thinner cuts for my Thin Pork Chops recipe, which includes skillet, oven, and air fryer instructions.

Bone-in pork chops can also work, but they may require a larger baking dish and additional cooking time. Always check the temperature in the thickest part of the meat, keeping the thermometer away from the bone. Pork chops need to be cooked to 145°F.

If your pork chops contain an added salt solution, go lightly on the seasoning. Both the stuffing mix and condensed soup already contain salt.

Ingredients For Pork Chops and Stuffing Recipe

Boxed Stuffing Mix

Use 3 ounces of dry stuffing mix, which is half of a standard 6-ounce box. Chicken, turkey, pork, or savory herb stuffing all pair well with the pork chops.

Before dividing the mix, shake the sealed bag gently to distribute the seasonings. A kitchen scale is the easiest way to measure half. Store the remaining dry mix in an airtight container and keep the package directions with it.

Butter And Hot Water

Hot water softens the dried bread, while butter adds richness. The amounts below work with a typical boxed stuffing mix that calls for 1½ cups water and 4 tablespoons butter per full box.

If your brand has different preparation directions, use half of its listed water and butter amounts instead.

Condensed Cream Of Mushroom Soup

Half a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup makes an easy sauce without preparing a separate gravy. Use the soup straight from the can, then stir in the measured milk.

Cream of chicken or cream of celery soup can be substituted if you prefer a different flavor.

Milk And Seasonings

A little milk loosens the condensed soup so it spreads easily over the pork chops and stuffing.

Garlic powder, dried thyme, and black pepper season the meat without competing with the stuffing. Added salt is optional, especially if you are using regular condensed soup.

How To Make Pork Chops And Stuffing For Two

Start by heating the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a small baking dish that holds both pork chops in a single layer, such as a 7 x 9-inch dish.

Combine the hot water and butter in a bowl, stirring until the butter melts. Add the dry stuffing mix and stir just until moistened. Let it stand for about 5 minutes, then fluff gently with a fork.

Meanwhile, pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides with the garlic powder, thyme, and black pepper.

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork chops for approximately 1 to 2 minutes per side, just until lightly browned. They will finish cooking in the oven.

Spread the prepared stuffing loosely in the baking dish. Avoid pressing it into a firm layer, which can make the finished stuffing dense.

Arrange the pork chops over the stuffing. Stir together the condensed soup and milk, then spoon the mixture over the chops and some of the surrounding stuffing.

Cover tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, checking temperatures early.

How To Know When Dinner Is Ready

Cooking time depends on the thickness of the pork chops, the baking dish, and how warm the stuffing is when assembled.

Pork chops need to reach an internal temperature of 145°F, followed by at least a 3-minute rest. Insert the thermometer through the side so the tip reaches the center of the meat.

Because the stuffing sits beneath the pork and collects its juices, check that the center of the stuffing reaches 165°F as well.

If the pork chops finish first, transfer them to a clean plate and cover loosely. Return the stuffing and sauce to the oven until they reach temperature, then serve with the pork.

This keeps you from overcooking the meat while waiting for the rest of the dish.

Easy Changes And Serving Ideas

For a little extra vegetable flavor, sauté 2 tablespoons each of finely chopped onion and celery in the butter before mixing it with the hot water and stuffing.

You can also add a tablespoon of dried cranberries for a slightly sweet addition. Keep the amount small so the stuffing remains mostly savory.

Because the dish already includes stuffing and sauce, a simple vegetable is usually all you need alongside it. Green beans, steamed carrots, peas, or roasted Brussels sprouts are easy choices.

Applesauce also pairs well with the pork. If you enjoy that combination, try my Apple Cider Pork Chops for another dinner for two.

Storing And Reheating Leftovers

Refrigerate the pork chops and stuffing leftovers in a covered container within 2 hours and use within 3 to 4 days.

To reheat, place the pork and stuffing in a small oven-safe dish. Add a splash of broth or water to the stuffing, cover, and warm in a 325°F oven until the leftovers reach 165°F.

You can also microwave individual portions, covered, in short intervals. Check the center of both the meat and stuffing before serving.

For easier reheating, slice the leftover pork and nestle it into the stuffing with a little extra sauce.

Enjoy! Mary

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