Italian Roast Pork with Summer Zucchini Orzo

A quick Italian dinner of garlic-oregano pork tenderloin roasted with peak-summer Washington zucchini, sweet onion, and juicy tomatoes, served over tangy orzo.

Ingredients

  • Kroger® Fresh Natural Pork Tenderloin
    1 pound $2.99
  • Zucchini
    12 ounces $1.79
  • Kroger® Fresh Grape Tomatoes
    10 ounces $2.99
  • Private Selection® Walla Walla Sweet Onion
    4 ounces $3.99
  • Kroger® Orzo Pasta
    5 ounces $1.33
  • Garlic
    3 cloves
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
    2 tablespoons
  • Dried oregano
    1 1/2 teaspoons
  • Kosher salt
    1 teaspoon
  • Black pepper
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Water
    3 cups
  • Red wine vinegar
    1 tablespoon

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Cut 12 ounces zucchini into thick half-moons, halve 10 ounces grape tomatoes, slice 4 ounces Walla Walla sweet onion into wedges, and mince 3 garlic cloves, keeping 1 minced garlic clove separate from 2 minced garlic cloves.
  2. On a rimmed sheet pan, toss the prepared 12 ounces zucchini, 10 ounces grape tomatoes, and 4 ounces Walla Walla sweet onion with 2 teaspoons olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Roast for 8 minutes.
  3. Pat 1 pound pork tenderloin dry, then rub it with 1 teaspoon olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and sear the seasoned 1-pound pork tenderloin for 2 minutes per side.
  4. Transfer the seared 1-pound pork tenderloin to the sheet pan beside the 26 ounces roasted vegetables. Roast everything for 14–18 minutes, until the center of the pork reaches 145°F and the vegetables are browned at the edges.
  5. Meanwhile, bring 3 cups water and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt to a boil. Add 5 ounces orzo and cook for 8–10 minutes until tender; drain, then toss the cooked 5 ounces orzo with 2 teaspoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar.
  6. Rest the roasted 1-pound pork tenderloin for 5 minutes, then slice it. Divide the cooked 5 ounces orzo, roasted 26 ounces vegetables, and sliced 1-pound pork tenderloin between two plates, spooning the sheet-pan juices over each serving.

Total time: 40 minutes

Estimated cost: About $9–$13 for 2 servings, based on the listed ingredient prices and pantry staples

Health notes: About 750 calories per serving, with roughly 55 grams of protein plus fiber-rich summer vegetables.

Drink pairing: A medium-bodied Chianti has enough acidity for the roasted tomatoes while staying light enough for the lean pork.