Black Pepper Pork Pasta that’s packed with flavor:
No need to simmer away for hours on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or spending time finely chopping the aromatics! This speedy pork ragu comes together easily in under an hour with simple ingredients and a few shortcuts. It’s comfort food without too much work!
Ingredients (for 4 servings):
- 300g pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or your choice)
- 300g pork tenderloin or pork loin (thinly sliced)
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion (thinly sliced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for a creamier sauce)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
- Fresh parsley or basil (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water.
2. Cook the Pork:
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Season the pork slices with a pinch of salt and add them to the hot skillet.
- Cook the pork for about 3-4 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through. Remove the pork from the pan and set aside.
3. Sauté the Aromatics:
- In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and butter.
- Add the sliced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, being careful not to burn it.
4. Make the Sauce:
- Stir in the freshly ground black pepper, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- For a creamy version, stir in the heavy cream at this point and simmer for another 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Combine the Pork and Pasta:
- Return the cooked pork to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
6. Serve:
- Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley or basil.
- Serve hot, with extra black pepper if you love a spicy kick.
Enjoy your Black Pepper Pork Pasta—a savory and peppery dish with a rich depth of flavor!
