Savory Pork Loin Pasta combines tender, seared pork with a creamy mushroom sauce, creating a hearty and flavorful dish. The pork is cooked to perfection, seared with a mix of seasonings, and simmered in a rich sauce made with mushrooms, onions, garlic, and a splash of Marsala or white wine. Paired with your favorite pasta, this dish is easy to make, making it a perfect dinner for both family and guests. It’s a comforting meal that requires minimal effort and uses simple ingredients.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 to 2 ½ pounds of pork tenderloin

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 tbsp garlic powder

• 1 tbsp onion powder

• 1 tbsp paprika

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1 pound sliced portobello mushrooms (or your preferred type)

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 tbsp flour or cornstarch

• ½ cup Marsala or white cooking wine

• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

• ½ cup sour cream, half-and-half, or cream cheese

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh herbs (chives, thyme, dill, or parsley) for garnish

Directions

1. Prepare the Pork: Slice the pork tenderloin into medallions, about 1-inch thick. In a zip lock bag or a shallow bowl, mix flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Dredge each pork medallion in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s thoroughly coated.

2. Sear the Pork: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Sear the pork medallions on each side until golden brown. Once done, set the pork aside in a warm place.

3. Sauté the Vegetables: Reduce the heat to medium, add butter and olive oil to the pan, then sauté the onions and mushrooms for 5-7 minutes, until browned and tender. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

4. Make the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour or cornstarch into the pan and mix with the vegetables. Add wine and chicken broth, scraping up the browned bits from the pan. Stir in the sour cream (or cream alternative) to create a creamy sauce.

5. Combine Pork and Sauce: Return the cooked pork to the pan, stirring it into the sauce. Let the pork simmer for 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

6. Prepare the Pasta: While the pork simmers, cook your favorite pasta according to the package directions. Drain and toss the cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, coating it well.

7. Serve: Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.

Nutrients

• Calories: ~2200-2500 for the whole recipe

• Protein: 160-180g

• Fat: 130-150g

• Carbohydrates: 150-160g

The Star of the Dish: Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin is often considered the star of this dish due to its tenderness and versatility. Known for being a lean and flavorful cut, pork tenderloin works beautifully in this recipe, as it remains juicy even when seared and simmered in the sauce. Slicing the pork into medallions helps it cook evenly and ensures each bite is tender and perfectly cooked.

When preparing the pork, it’s important to coat the medallions in a seasoned flour mixture. This dredging process not only helps the pork develop a beautiful golden crust when seared but also allows the seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to enhance the flavor. The slight crispiness on the outside of the pork contrasts wonderfully with the creamy sauce that envelops it, making every bite irresistible.

The Creamy Mushroom Sauce: A Flavor Explosion

The sauce that accompanies the pork medallions in Savory Pork Loin Pasta is what truly elevates this dish. Made with earthy mushrooms, onions, garlic, and a splash of Marsala or white wine, the sauce has a rich and complex flavor profile. The mushrooms provide an umami depth that complements the richness of the pork, while the onions add a slight sweetness to balance the savory notes.

To start the sauce, the vegetables are sautéed until tender and golden, bringing out their natural sweetness. Then, a little flour or cornstarch is added to help thicken the sauce, which is then deglazed with wine and chicken broth. This not only adds depth to the sauce but also releases the flavorful browned bits left from searing the pork, ensuring that none of the delicious flavors are lost. Finally, sour cream, half-and-half, or cream cheese is stirred in to create a creamy texture that coats both the pork and the pasta.

The use of wine adds an additional layer of complexity. Marsala, with its sweet and slightly fruity flavor, adds depth and a touch of luxury to the dish, while white wine brings a more acidic and dry note. Both options enhance the flavors of the pork and mushrooms, creating a well-rounded and rich sauce.

Perfectly Complementing Pasta

The choice of pasta is crucial to this dish. While the recipe suggests using your favorite pasta, hearty options like rigatoni, pappardelle, or fettuccine work best. These types of pasta have a substantial texture that can hold the creamy sauce and bits of pork and vegetables, ensuring that every bite is filled with flavor. Cooking the pasta al dente ensures that it doesn’t become too soft when tossed in the sauce, and it provides a slight bite that contrasts nicely with the rich, creamy sauce.

Once the pasta is cooked, it is tossed into the sauce, allowing it to absorb the flavors and become completely coated. The combination of pork, creamy mushroom sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta creates a luxurious meal that is both hearty and satisfying.

Garnishing and Serving

To finish the dish, garnish the Savory Pork Loin Pasta with fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or chives. These herbs add a fresh, fragrant touch that cuts through the richness of the sauce, providing balance. The bright green color of the herbs also adds visual appeal, making the dish more vibrant and inviting.

For a more decadent touch, consider serving the pasta with a side of garlic bread or a crisp salad. The richness of the pork and creamy sauce is well complemented by a refreshing salad with a light vinaigrette. You could also pair the dish with a glass of white wine, such as Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, which would complement the flavors of the Marsala or white wine in the sauce.

Health Considerations and Modifications

While this dish is indulgent and rich, it can be modified to meet different dietary needs. If you’re looking to make it lighter, you can substitute half-and-half or cream cheese with Greek yogurt or a lighter cream alternative. For a gluten-free option, you can use gluten-free pasta and substitute the flour in the sauce with a gluten-free thickening agent.

The pork tenderloin in this recipe is a lean protein, making it a relatively healthy choice compared to fattier cuts of meat. The addition of mushrooms and the option to include vegetables such as spinach or kale can boost the nutritional value of the dish by adding more fiber and vitamins.

Conclusion

Savory Pork Loin Pasta is a flavorful, comforting dish that combines tender pork with a creamy mushroom sauce and perfectly cooked pasta. The richness of the sauce, enhanced by wine and sour cream, perfectly complements the seasoned pork medallions, creating a dish that is both satisfying and indulgent. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or entertaining guests, this dish is sure to impress. Its simplicity and depth of flavor make it a perfect addition to your weeknight dinner rotation, and with minimal effort, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your home.