Italian Marinated Baked Pork Tenderloin

Baked Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Italian spices make this marinated pork tenderloin pop with flavor. We love that it begins with just a bit of your favorite Italian dressing, so you don’t have to worry about having all of the spices on hand.

Tip: Marinate your pork loin overnight for the best flavor and to allow your tenderloin to absorb as much as possible before cooking.

If you only have pork chops in the fridge or freezer, check out our recipe for Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops Baked in the Oven for a healthy and delicious main dish.

What is the Safe Food Temperature for Pork

USDA safety recommendation is to cook your pork to 145 degrees Fahrenheit internally and allow to rest for at least 3 minutes before consuming. Many prefer to cook to a higher temperature closer to 160 degrees.

Choose the temperature you prefer to serve your pork loin at, but make sure it is at a minimum of 145 degrees.

Related: Sheet Pan Chicken and Butternut Squash

How Long to Cook Pork Tenderloin in the Oven

For this recipe, we recommend cooking for 20-25 minutes or until the thermometer reads the safety temperature of 145 degrees. You can cook at a lower heat for longer, or even the same heat for longer if preferred.

Just make sure to not overcook the meat as it will be dry. Cooking time also varies depending on the size of your tenderloin.

Make my Easy Crock Pot Pulled Pork Tacos as another option for your next pork purchase.

Good Side Dishes with Pork Tenderloin

We included carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower to be roasted alongside the pork tenderloin in this recipe. Those are my personal favorites, but if you are not a fan of that combination you may prefer the options below.

• Mashed potatoes
• Roasted potatoes
• Quinoa (use our tips for how to cook quinoa)
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Brown rice
• Riced cauliflower
• Roasted Asparagus with Lemon

We love this recipe because it’s gluten-free and paleo.

How to Cook Italian Baked Pork Tenderloin

This baked pork tenderloin is going to become a favorite easy to prepare dinner for busy evenings.

Step 1

Place pork and Italian dressing into a large storage container or plastic sealable bag. Toss the pork around in the container or bag to coat well, and then place in the refrigerator at least 4-hours up to overnight.

Step 2

When ready to cook your pork, position the oven racks to the upper 1/3 and lower 1/3 of the oven, then preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 3

In a large bowl, place your carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower along with 2 tablespoons of oil, Italian seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper. Toss or stir to coat and then pour onto a rimmed baking sheet and set aside.

Step 4

Remove the pork from the marinade and pat dry with a paper towel. Season the pork loin with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper.

Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and then brown the pork on one side for 3-4 minutes. Turn the pork over, and then place the pan into the upper rack of your oven.

Tip: we prefer using cast iron for this recipe as it is oven safe and a great conductor of heat.

Step 5

Roast the pork tenderloin until the meat thermometer reads 145 degrees F. This is usually about 20-25 minutes.

You will add the pan of vegetables to the lower rack of the oven about 10 minutes into the pork baking time.

Step 6

When the pork is finished baking and at temperature, you will remove it from the skillet and allow it to rest for 5 minutes on a cutting board before slicing to serve.

The vegetables will be done around the same time or shortly after the pork tenderloin. Remove these from the oven, and toss them with the remaining 2 tablespoons of Italian dressing before serving.

Other Great 30-Minute Recipes

Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Pineapple Meatball Skewers
Quinoa Pizza Bites

How Kids Can Help

Have your kids place the cut vegetables in the bowl and mix with olive oil and spices. Then, have them place them on the rimmed baking pan.

Tips For Cooking Pork Tenderloin

• For best flavor, marinate your pork overnight.
• Make sure to cook your tenderloin to a minimum of 145 degrees F.
• We love serving quinoa with this recipe, but any vegetables or grains you choose will go well.

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