Looking for a tasty and comforting family dinner? This delicious pork tenderloin in tomato sauce recipe is sure to be a hit with the whole family. It is easy enough for a weekday dinner but special enough for entertaining and it is so delicious.
Many years ago, I set out to make a really easy dinner for the holidays to take a little stress out of it all. It needed to be a meal that was still special but really easy to make. This is that recipe. I have tweaked it over the years to this version which is my favorite.
The tender pork combined with the rich and tangy tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella cheese on top make such an amazing dinner and cooking pork in a tomato sauce in the oven keeps it nice and tender.
I now make this dish for my family every Christmas and all throughout the year. I don't wait for the holidays with this one anymore because it is so good and pretty easy to make. It has the same delicious flavors as my slow cooker Sunday sauce but without all the work.
I make it for guests too and they love it as much as the family does. What is not to like about pork, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese that is baked in the oven?
Ingredients you need
These are all simple ingredients. Try to find the best quality you can.
- Pork Tenderloin: This is different than pork loin. If you have a pork loin, you can use my roasted pork loin recipe instead.
- Olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Fresh mozzarella
Italian tomato sauce
- San Marzano canned tomatoes.
- Olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Yellow onion
- Fresh garlic
- Fresh basil
- Dried oregano
How to cook pork tenderloin in tomato sauce
To make this easy dish, start by seasoning the pork tenderloin with salt, and pepper. Then you want to sear the pork in a hot skillet until it is browned on all sides. When you are done, set it aside so you can make the quick tomato sauce.
In the same skillet, sauté some onions and garlic until they are soft and fragrant. Add the crushed tomatoes, and additional seasonings to create a delicious Italian tomato sauce. Return the pork to the skillet, cover and place in a preheated 350-degree oven covered for about 20 minutes.
After the pork is done cooking, you add the cheese to the top and cook for an additional 5- 10 minutes. Once tit is ready, slice the pork into medallions and place it back into the tomato sauce. Serve it as is with some Italian garlic and olive oil bread or over some pasta. Spoon some of the tomato sauce over the top of each pork medallion. Garnish with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese.
My Top Tips!
To ensure success when you are making this, here are a few things that I think should not be skipped.
- Trim the pork tenderloin before baking it! Anytime you are cooking pork tenderloin, you want to make sure you trim off the outer fat like the silver skin and fat because pork tenderloin does not need long to cook and these layers will not cook down.
- Sear the pork tenderloin. You always want to sear the pork tenderloin first. This will help seal in the juices of the pork while it bakes. Trust me, I have forgotten to do this in the past when I was in a rush and the pork really dries out when you skip this step!
- Reduce the tomato sauce before adding it to the pork. When you bake the pork tenderloin in the tomato sauce, the pork will give off some of its juices in the tomato sauce. By starting with a thickened tomato sauce, it will help ensure the tomato sauce is not watery.
- Do not overcook! Pork tenderloin does not need a lot of time in the oven. Make sure to remember this so your pork stays nice and juicy 🙂
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, this pork tenderloin is delicious the next day. To store it, just allow the pork and tomato sauce to come to room temperature then place it in a container with a tight-fitting lid.
Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just reheat in the oven until warmed through.
Serving Ideas
I love making this pork tenderloin on its own or with some tasty sides and desserts. My favorite sides to add are garlic ciabatta bread, Italian sauteed zucchini or angel hair pasta and tomatoes. If I want to add a starter or a dessert I usually make a shrimp and avocado appetizer to start or an Italian ricotta pie for dessert (especially if I am making this for a holiday dinner which I often do).
More Italian Recipes
Pork Tenderloin In Tomato Sauce: A Family Favorite
Ingredients
Pork Tenderloin
- 2 pork tenderloins trimmed of fat
- 8 ounces Fresh mozzarella sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Tomato Sauce
- 28 ounces san marzano tomatoes canned whole
- ½ yellow onion diced very fine
- 2 cloves garlic diced very fine
- 1 ½ tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 fresh basil leaves
- ⅛ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Pork Tenderloin
- In a large oven safe pan over medium heat add the olive oil.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add salt to the pork tenderloins.1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Sear pork tenderloin for 1 minute per side.2 pork tenderloins
- Remove from heat and set aside.
Tomato Sauce
- In the same pan that you seared the pork tenderloin in, heat a large sauté pan over medium heat.
- Add your olive oil.1 ½ tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Now add your red pepper flakes, onion and a pinch of salt and cook until the onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes.⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ½ yellow onion diced very fine
- Add your garlic and cook for one more minute.2 cloves garlic diced very fine
- Add your whole canned tomatoes to the pan.28 ounces san marzano tomatoes canned whole
- With a potato masher (or bottom of a mug) mash down the tomatoes gently. It can get a little messy so do this part slowly.
- Keep mashing down the tomatoes until they are mostly broken down.
- Stir the tomatoes into the olive oil mixture well.
- Add your salt, oregano and basil and stir.2 fresh basil leaves, ⅛ teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- Bring to a simmer then reduce heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to thicken.
- Taste the sauce for any additional salt.
- Add pork tenderloins the sauce and cover with a lid and place int he preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, add the mozzarella if you are using it and place it back into the oven uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the mozzarella just begins to melt.8 ounces Fresh mozzarella
- When done, slice pork tenderloin into ½ inch thick pieces then place back into the sauce.
- Serve immediately.
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