Safety Tips

• The ground beef should be cooked to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit and allowed to cool in the refrigerator before stuffing the pork chops. Stuffing the chops with raw ground beef could put you at risk for foodborne illness if the stuffing does not reach a high enough temperature to kill off any bacteria once it's in the pork chop. Stuff the pork chops immediately before baking or frying. Even though the ground meat is cooked, you don't it to warm up while you're waiting to cook the chops. Bacteria can start multiplying if you do. The pork chops are done when you insert an instant-read thermometer into the meat -- avoid the bone -- and it reads 145 F.

Italian Flair

• Visit Italy when you stuff the chops with a ground beef mixture that includes Italian cheeses, such as Parmesan or Asiago, and herbs, including basil, oregano and fennel seeds. Think of the ground beef stuffing as a meatball stuffing and you're on the right track. Brown the pork chops on both sides. Toss in a chopped onion and more garlic and a can of tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes or prepared pasta sauce. Sliced eggplant and green peppers finish the dish or you could use green beans and fresh fennel slices instead.

German Temptations

• Germans love their pork and beef, so try some German-inspired stuffed pork chops. Mix the ground beef with caraway seeds and rye breadcrumbs with a scant handful of dill seeds. Add a chopped dill pickle or pickled beets. Settle the chops on a bed of chopped cabbage, carrots and celery or substitute sauerkraut for the cabbage. Bake in a 350 F oven for about an hour. Turn the pork chops over halfway through.

Hawaiian Islands

• If you can't visit Hawaii, bring the islands to you with a tropical version of stuffed pork chops. Combine the ground beef with cooked rice, crushed pineapple and chopped macadamia nuts. Brush with pineapple juice or orange juice mixed with your favorite cooking oil. Walnut oil picks up the macadamia nuts in the stuffing. Season to taste and grill over a medium hot coals for about 10 minutes per side. Grill slices of sweet potato at the same time along with pineapple wedges.

Swedish Sensations

• Deconstruct Swedish meatballs by stuffing the pork chop with ground beef. The dish simmers in a creamy sauce. Combine the ground beef with breadcrumbs or crushed crackers, fresh thyme or parsley tarragon and a dash of grated nutmeg, allspice or mace. After you brown the pork chops, lower the heat and add equal parts beef broth, half and half or heavy cream. Mash equal parts butter and flour together with your fingers until completely blended. Add to the sauce -- A ratio of 1 cup of liquid to 2 tablespoons butter and flour works well. Add leeks or onions and carrots or potatoes to the dish. Cook in the oven at 350 F for 45 to 60 minutes or on the stovetop on medium heat.