🥩 Bacon & Cheese Stuffed Pork Loin
Serves
4–6 people
⏱ Time
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Prep: 20 minutes
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Cook: 45–60 minutes
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Resting: 10 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
For the pork
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1 pork loin (about 1–1.2 kg / 2–2.5 lb)
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200 g (7 oz) bacon, thinly sliced
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200 g (7 oz) cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, provolone, or gouda work great)
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2 tbsp olive oil
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Toothpicks or kitchen twine
Seasoning
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp salt
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1 tsp black pepper
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1 tsp paprika (smoked paprika = 🔥)
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1 tsp dried rosemary or thyme
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Optional: ½ tsp chili flakes
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Prep the pork
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Place the pork loin on a cutting board.
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Slice it lengthwise down the middle without cutting all the way through.
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Open it like a book and gently pound it to an even thickness.
2. Season
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Rub the inside and outside with olive oil.
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Sprinkle garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and herbs evenly.
3. Stuff it
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Layer the cheese evenly inside.
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Add the bacon slices on top of the cheese.
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Carefully roll the pork back into a log.
4. Secure
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Tie with kitchen twine every 3–4 cm (1–1½ inches)
or seal with toothpicks.
5. Sear (highly recommended)
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Heat a pan over medium-high heat.
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Sear the pork on all sides until golden (about 2–3 min per side).
6. Bake
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Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F.
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Transfer pork to a baking dish.
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Bake for 45–60 minutes, until internal temp reaches 63°C / 145°F.
7. Rest & serve
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Let rest 10 minutes before slicing (this keeps it juicy).
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Slice into thick rounds and serve.
🍽 Serving Ideas
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Roasted potatoes or mashed potatoes
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Green beans or asparagus
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Simple salad with mustard vinaigrette
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Pan juices drizzled over the top 🤌
❓ Q & A (Real-life cooking questions)
Q: How do I keep the pork from drying out?
A:
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Don’t overcook it — use a thermometer if you can.
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Searing before baking locks in moisture.
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Resting after cooking is non-negotiable.
Q: What’s the best cheese to use?
A:
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Mozzarella: melty, mild
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Cheddar: bold flavor
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Gouda: creamy, slightly sweet
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Provolone: perfect balance
Avoid very soft cheeses (they leak too much).
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A:
Yes! Assemble, wrap tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before cooking.
Q: Can I cook it in an air fryer?
A:
Yep!
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Air fry at 180°C / 350°F
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Cook for 35–40 minutes
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Flip halfway
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Rest before slicing
Q: What if cheese leaks out?
A:
Totally normal. 😄
That cheese + bacon fat becomes an amazing pan sauce — spoon it over the slices.
Q: Can I add extras inside?
A:
Absolutely:
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Spinach (sautéed & squeezed dry)
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Mushrooms
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Sun-dried tomatoes
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Caramelized onions
