Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Polenta

Tender, herb-crusted pork tenderloin is served over creamy polenta with roasted garlicky cherry tomatoes. This simple, minimal no-fuss dinner is sure to impress any night of the week or for any special occasion.

Easy dinners that require minimal hands-on effort but look and taste oh-so-fancy make me giddy.

This juicy, herb-crusted pork tenderloin with creamy, dreamy polenta and garlicky roasted balsamic cherry tomatoes practically cooks itself. It’s SO SIMPLE, and yet its flavor is soooo big. You’ll wonder what kind of voodoo magic just took place on your dinner plate.

(Sorry to show you a hunk of raw meat.)

But take a quick peep at these ingredients. It feels very minimalist, doesn’t it? And minimalism when cooking dinner is like winning the golden ticket.

Pork tenderloin, a couple of pints of sweet cherry tomatoes, polenta, some salty Pecorino Romano, garlic, fresh herbs, butter, balsamic, and a little salt and pepper. And some water and milk that unintentionally were left out of the ingredient group selfie. (Would that make it a groupie?)

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How to make this super simple herb-crusted pork tenderloin dinner

Step 1: First, we’re locking in the juicy flavor and moisture of the tenderloin. Give it a good rub with some olive oil and slather it with fresh rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Then sear it darlin’ for 4 minutes on each side. Marvel at how easy that was.

Step 2: Once the tenderloin has been seared on all sides, turn off the heat, scooch the tenderloin to one side of the pan, and add those pretty little cherry tomatoes to the other side of the pan with some garlic, butter, and balsamic. Pop the pan into the oven for about 15 minutes and let it cook. Marvel at how easy that was.

Step 3: Make the polenta. Bring water and milk to a boil. Slowly whisk in the polenta. Stir, stir, stir. Take a sip of wine from that glass you poured for yourself before Step 1. Stir the polenta a little more. Add some butter and cheese. Marvel at how easy that was.

Step 4: Remove pan with the tenderloin and roasty maters from the oven. Let the tenderloin rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. Take another sip of vino and give a toast to yourself for making such a quick and simple dinner that everyone will swoon over. Wasn’t that easy?!

Unless you are the type who has strong feelings about keeping your food groups from touching on your plate (no judgment), serve up this dinner by topping a big swoosh of the creamy polenta with several pork medallions and a large spoonful of the juicy, roasted tomatoes. Then definitely drizzle some of the pan juices over everything, including your face, because it’s tasty and amazing.

This dinner is perfect for:

• Any weeknight when you are in need of a cozy, comforting, minimal fuss dinner.
• Having guests over for dinner? This meal will impress.
• Date night!
• A simple, but fancy-ish holiday meal. Think Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, the whole month of October (#nationalporkmonth <– who comes up with these things?)

Creamy, simple, savory, elegant, comforting, minimal fuss dinner. Easy weeknight dinner dreams do come true. ♡

More Tasty Dinner Recipes!

• Instant Pot Coq Au Vin Blanc a delicious white wine version of classic coq au vin
• Coconut Tomato Curry with Cod & Brown Rice a simple and tasty heart-healthy meal
• Gnocchi Marinara with Sausage & Peppers a quick and easy 20-minute meal!

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My face is definitely about to go in that.

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