↑
  • Start Here
  • Recipe Index
  • Travel Index
  • Lifestyle
  • Disclosures
  • Contact
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Easy Peasy Meals

Easy Recipes, Slow Cooker Meals, Meal Planning & Meal Prep

  • About
  • Contact
  • Start Here
  • Disclosures
    • Privacy + Ad Policy
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Nav Widget Area

  • Start Here
  • Recipe Index
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Sides
    • Dessert
  • Method
    • Air fryer
    • Instant Pot
    • Skillet
    • Sheet Pan
    • Slow Cooker
    • Grill / Smoker
  • Holiday
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • NYE
  • Protein
    • Chicken
    • Beef
    • Turkey
    • Pork
    • Fish
    • Vegetarian
  • Low-Carb
Home » Collections » 20 Minute Meals » Roasted Garlic and Herb Penne Pasta with Pork
This post may contain affiliate links. See my Full Disclosure for further details.
20 Minute Meals

Roasted Garlic and Herb Penne Pasta with Pork

By Rachael | Updated on October 29, 2020

914 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

This post is sponsored by Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork, all opinions are my own.

Roasted Garlic and Herb Penne Pasta with Pork:

A 30 minute meal bursting with flavor, tender pork, and fresh herbs. This is a penne pasta dish to make when you are short on time during the busy back to school season but still want to impress.

Rich, buttery, smoky-sweet roasted garlic elevates everything it touches. But “elevate” doesn’t mean “take more time.” This penne pasta recipe gets a flavor bump from convenient Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork, which also puts it among pasta dishes you can prepare on a chaotic weeknight in less than thirty minutes.

Serve with Roasted Asparagus  and Garlic Bread Twists for a complete meal.

Roasted garlic and herb penne pasta in a white bowl with a blue and white napkin, cloves of garlic, and fresh parsley

I don’t know about you, but when I see “roasted garlic” on a restaurant menu I’m always going to stop and look again. Garlic’s sharpness is mellowed when you roast it. It turns creamy and buttery, so that it melts into the rest of the dish and infuses it with smoky-sweet flavor.

Hearty penne pasta is the perfect vehicle for roasted garlic, and combining both of them with read-to-cook, pre-marinated Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork Roasted Garlic & Herb Loin Filet turns this pasta recipe into a weeknight dinner that’s perfect for those hectic back to school nights when you are still trying to adjust to your routine and get back into the swing of things. Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork is available at local Ridley’s and Walmart stores nationwide.

How do you make basic penne pasta?

The basic method in all pasta dishes is to boil the pasta in salted water. LOTS of water, and probably more salt than you think. This isn’t the time to conserve.

  • If you’re cooking a pound of pasta, use a stock pot and 5-6 quarts of water to give the pasta lots of room to move around.
  • As for the salt, pour a good pile into the palm of your hand–at least a tablespoon–and dump it into the pot.
  • When the water reaches a FULL boil (not little baby bubbles), dump in the pasta and stir. Then stir again. Then stir some more. You want to break up any clumps that have found each other and keep them from getting too friendly.
  • You’ll probably cook the pasta 8-10 minutes (it’ll vary depending on your altitude and the weight of the penne pasta you’re using), but check it a couple of minutes early, and keep checking as it gets closer to being done. It can cross from not-quite-done to overdone in a matter of seconds.
  • Before you drain the pasta through a colander, save a scoop of the water to add to the sauce. Or lift the pasta directly into the sauce and keep the liquid. Either way, that liquid is gold, so make sure you have some available to touch up your sauce at the end.

A package of Smithfield premartinated pork, penne pasta noodles, garlic, basil, parsley, and butter

How do you make the BEST penne pasta?

The best penne pasta requires:

  • A great base (pasta)
  • The best protein
  • An awesome sauce

Picking your Penne Pasta

Okay, so you know how to cook pasta perfectly. But do you know how to buy it? The key to great pasta dishes besides a killer sauce, and the best protein (Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork Roasted Garlic & Herb Loin Filet…just sayin’) is great pasta, and that relies on the texture it’s born with.

Feel free to use what you have on hand, but if there is one thing I have learned while traveling in Italy, it is that specific pastas are used for specific dishes. And the cut and shape make a huge difference in how to sauce works with the pasta. Inexpensive pasta is cranked through teflon plates and molds that give it a smooth texture, and then it’s dried quickly so that it’s harder to cook to the proper doneness.

Look instead for the more expensive pastas, the ones that say “bronze cut” or “bronze plate.” The pasta itself will have a powdery look, and the surface will be rough. Sauce clings to these pastas better, they cook better, and there’s just no comparison to how well the finished pasta recipe turns out.

A skillet of roasted garlic and herb penne pasta with pork, on a blue and white striped napkin with garlic cloves and fresh herbs

Picking your Protein

One you have the right noodles, or base, it is time to liven the dish up with a great protein, some herbs, and a sauce. This recipe is killer because it uses Smithfield Roasted Garlic & Herb Loin Filet.

This loin filet is pre-marinated, which makes it quick and easy. It is super flavorful, but I don’t have to do the work of prepping the marinade or waiting for it to marinate long enough. And all of Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork is 100% fresh pork with no artificial ingredients and packed with protein.

Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork is one of my favorite dinner prep shortcuts. Especially during back to school season.

And while you’re thinking of quick meals, make sure you notice that Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork has lots more to flavors choose from, like Applewood Smoked Bacon- which is literally loaded with bacon on top and is so amazing grilled, Slow Smoked Mesquite, and Slow Roasted Golden Rotisserie. You can slow cook, grill, roast, or saute for something different every night of the week.

To make cooking this dish even faster, I cubed the Smithfield Roasted Garlic & Herb Loin Filet and cooked it in a skillet.

Uncooked, cubed, premartinated pork

The brown bits in the bottom of the pan, and the liquid from cooking the pork became the base for the light and delicious sauce that tops this particular pasta recipe.

Browned bits of pork

So now let’s talk about the sauce.

Picking Your Sauce

The sauce on this pasta is really a pan sauce that combines the liquid from cooking the pork and the leftover bits and flavors from the bottom of the skillet with a little pasta water and a whole lot of fresh herbs and parmesan cheese. It is so simple you might think twice. But trust me, it is the perfect compliment to your flavorful pork, and keeps this a light and fresh pasta dish.

The reserved water from the pot makes the butter based sauce creamy and flavorful, and the fresh herbs and parmesan cheese make it flavorful and fun!

A pot of penne pasta with a pile of herbs and seasonings on top ready to be mixed in with a wooden spoon

Dinner is Served

Once combined, you get the perfect combination of hearty pasta, flavorful pork, and a light and delicious sauce. This is one dish you will be making all year long, but that is particularly helpful at back to school when nights are crazy. The chaos will continue, but dinner doesn’t have to add to it because with this conveniently quick 30 minute meal, you will have dinner served in no time and with very little hassle. Making it perfect for any night of the week.

Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork is available in a wide variety of fresh cuts including roasts, loin filets, ribs, and more. Because they can be prepared a number of ways, they are the perfect solution for busy nights.

Smithfield® wants to help make family’s lives easier and to do so they have  partnered with cookbook author, actress, designer, and mom of two Haylie Duff to create exclusive recipes and time-saving tips that will help you! 

Her original recipes, including Tomatillo, Pineapple & Bacon Pork Tacos, Pork Loin Banh Mi Bowls, and Pork Gyros with Fresh Tzatziki, feature a variety of Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork cuts and flavors. Combine them with just a few fresh ingredients and you have dinner ready in a matter of minutes.

Visit SmithfieldRealFlavorRealFast.com to view these quick and easy meal ideas, as well as the “Real Fresh, Real Flavor, Real Fast” recipe inspiration center, complete with wine pairings.

More Delicious  Recipes

  • Beef Stroganoff
  • Low Calorie Sheet Pan Dinner: Shrimp & Asparagus
  • Greek Chicken Wraps
  • Instant Pot Chili Mac
  • Cheeseburger Soup
  • Roasted Asparagus Oven Baked
Roasted garlic and herb penne pasta in a white bowl with a blue and white napkin, cloves of garlic, and fresh parsley

Roasted Garlic and Herb Penne Pasta with Pork

A 30 minute meal bursting with flavor, tender pork, and fresh herbs.
4.34 from 18 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: roasted garlic and herb penne pasta with pork, roasted garlic and herb penne pasta with pork recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 526kcal
Author: Rachael

Ingredients

  • 1 Smithfield Roasted Garlic & Herb Loin Filet cubed

Penne Pasta

  • 16 ounces dry penne pasta
  • 2 Tbs salt for water
  • Water

The rest

  • 2 Tbs butter divided
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta sauce water
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • 2 Tbs fresh grated parmesan
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pinch ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain, reserving 1/2 cup of liquid from pasta pot.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 Tbs butter.
  • Add garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds or until garlic begins to turn golden.
  • Add cubed pork loin, and sear on all sides. Reduce heat, and turn to low to cook through.
  • Meanwhile, In a small bowl, combine parsley, basil, salt and ground black pepper, and parmesan cheese, then set aside.
  • Add additional butter, and reserved pasta water to skillet with pork.
  • Add cooked penne into the skillet with the pork, toss with herb and parmesan cheese mixture.
  • Taste, season with salt and pepper as desired, serve with more fresh herbs.

Nutrition

Calories: 526kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 3675mg | Potassium: 382mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 310IU | Vitamin C: 1.6mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1.7mg

Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.

Tried this recipe?Mention @ezpzmealz or tag #ezpzmealz!
Want to use this recipe in a meal plan?Try PrePear, my FREE Meal Planning App that allows you to save your recipes, plan meals, shop for groceries, and cook simply in one place. Join Here!

Pin to your Quick Dinner board on Pinterest:

A quick and easy dinner, this Roasted Garlic and Herb Penne Pasta with Pork is a hit and can be made in under 30 minutes.

Related

914 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly

Related categories:
20 Minute Meals Main Dish pasta Pasta Porkgarlic and herb pork penne pasta pork skillet pasta

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amy says

    August 21, 2018 at 10:16 am

    This looks like a meal my family would all love! Can’t wait to make it.

    Reply
  2. Beth says

    August 21, 2018 at 1:04 pm

    I don’t recall ever having pork in a pasta dish other than bacon and I don’t know why! This looks amazing.

    Reply
    • Rachael says

      August 26, 2018 at 9:53 pm

      Right? So overlooked, and just so tasty.

      Reply
  3. Alli says

    August 22, 2018 at 8:35 am

    I love finding new ways to use pork and this is absolutely perfect. I cannot wait to make.

    Reply
  4. April says

    August 22, 2018 at 9:30 am

    This is amazing. I especially love the idea of using already marinated pork. Yum!

    Reply
  5. Kristen says

    August 22, 2018 at 9:39 am

    Love simple meals like this! The herbs added so much freshness.

    Reply
    • Rachael says

      August 26, 2018 at 9:52 pm

      Thank you, it has quickly become a go-to around here for busy nights. So fresh and easy.

      Reply
  6. Andie Thueson says

    August 22, 2018 at 10:08 am

    This looks absolutely heavenly! My family would flip! Pinning for later

    Reply
  7. Kitty says

    August 22, 2018 at 4:45 pm

    Pasta is my favorite easy meal! Adding pork makes it less indulgent than just a plate of noodles with sauce.

    Reply
  8. Kimberly says

    August 22, 2018 at 6:31 pm

    The roasted garlic is the perfect touch!

    Reply
  9. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

    August 23, 2018 at 8:11 am

    So hungry for this! Looks so healthy and easy to make!

    Reply
4.34 from 18 votes (10 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Rachael from Eazy Peazy Mealz

Welcome, I'm Rachael!

I’m a mom of 4 great kids that keep me super busy.

My philosophy is cooking has to be easy, tasty, kid approved, and fit between homework, piano practice, soccer, and the MOUNTAINS of laundry in my life! Read More Work With Me
Take the Hassle Out of Meal Time!
FREE EMAIL COURSE + Printable Recipe Binder!
 
Easy, quick prep meals your family will want to eat sent straight to your inbox!
Thank you for subscribing!

Crock Pot Meals

White Chicken Chili, a delicious slow cooker chili with white beans, and tons of flavor.

Crockpot White Chicken Chili

Crockpot Marry Me Chicken over bowtie noodles.

Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken

Crock pot loaded baked potato soup topped with crispy bacon, chives, and cheese

Crock Pot Baked Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo is a delightful pasta dish that is one pan.

Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

20 Minute Meals

Easy to make Chicken Salad recipe, loaded with fresh ingredients and crunch.
Fresh spring rolls with a peanut dipping sauce
lemon garlic parmesan shrimp bowl with rice
Pop hearts, homemade pop tarts, flakey pie crust stuffed with raspberry jam and baked to golden perfection.

Free Kitchen Binder eBook

Let's Do This!

browse allRecipes By Method

slow cook

Sheet Pan

Air Fryer

Instant Pot

Grill/Smoke

One Pot

Skillet

Let's Work Together

Hi, I'm Rachael, and I am obsessed with sharing quality products and solid recipes. I can work with you to develop, test and create original recipes and content using YOUR products, and share it across Eazy Peazy Mealz blog and social channels, reaching thousands of dedicated readers.

Let's Do This

Footer

Eazy Peazy Meals
  • About
  • Contact
  • Start Here
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright ©2025, Easy Peasy Meals. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Pixel Me Designs
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.