Herb-Crusted Italian Pork Loin
This easy, tender Italian pork loin is coated in a fragrant herb crust and roasted to juicy perfection. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing main course perfect for family dinners, holidays, or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 to 2.5 lbs boneless center-cut pork loin
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tablespoon dried)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (extra-virgin preferred)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, about 1 ounce)
- Kitchen twine (optional, for tying pork loin)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat pork loin dry with paper towels.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine rosemary, thyme, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, olive oil, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), and Parmesan (if using). Mix into a thick paste.
- Rub herb mixture all over pork loin, pressing gently to adhere. Tie with kitchen twine if needed for even roasting.
- Optional: Sear pork in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned.
- Place pork loin in a roasting pan or oven-safe skillet. Roast uncovered for 40-50 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 145°F in the thickest part. Start checking at 35 minutes.
- If crust browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last 10-15 minutes.
- Remove pork from oven and transfer to a cutting board. Tent with foil and let rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Slice pork against the grain into 1/2-inch thick slices. Serve with pan juices.
Notes
Pat pork dry for a crisp crust. Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness. Searing before roasting adds extra flavor but is optional. Let pork rest before slicing to keep it juicy. Recipe is naturally gluten-free and can be made dairy-free by omitting Parmesan. Leftovers are great for sandwiches or salads.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 oz (113g) co
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 0.5
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 28
Keywords: pork loin, Italian pork roast, herb crusted pork, family dinner, easy pork recipe, gluten-free, Sunday supper, meal prep, comfort food