Garlic Butter Pork Bites with Parmesan Pasta pairs succulent, garlicky pork morsels with creamy, cheesy pasta. This effortlessly delicious dish feels gourmet while requiring minimal effort—perfect for cozy dinners or elevated weeknight meals.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The pork bites are tender and flavorful, coated in rich garlic butter that complements the silky Parmesan pasta. It’s a balanced dish with protein and carbs, yet feels indulgent. Plus, everything cooks in the same pan and skillet, meaning fewer dishes and faster cleanup.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Pork tenderloin or pork loin, cut into bite-sized cubes
Salt and pepper
Garlic powder (optional)
Olive oil
Unsalted butter
Garlic cloves, minced
Chicken or vegetable broth
Heavy cream
Grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Directions
Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain and reserve ½ cup of cooking water. Season pork bites with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and brown pork on all sides until cooked through; transfer to a plate. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, melt butter, then add minced garlic—sauté until fragrant. Pour in broth and reserved pasta water, stirring to deglaze the pan. Add cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan until sauce thickens slightly. Return pork bites to the skillet and toss to coat. Add cooked pasta, tossing everything together to blend flavors and ensure the noodles are coated. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Servings and Timing
Servings: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Variations
Use chicken in place of pork for a lighter version. Add mushrooms, spinach, or sun‑dried tomatoes to the sauce. Spice it up with red pepper flakes or paprika. Swap cream for half‑and‑half or a splash of white wine. Finish with breadcrumbs or extra cheese for texture.
Storage / Reheating
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm in a skillet over low-medium heat, adding a splash of broth or cream if needed. Microwave portions for 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway.
FAQs
1. Can I use pork chops instead of tenderloin?
Yes—just trim fat, cube, and adjust cooking time; tenderloin gets done faster.
2. Is heavy cream necessary?
It gives richness, but half‑and‑half or milk with a bit of flour can work.
3. How do I avoid overcooked pork?
Cook pork until it reaches 145 °F internally—use a meat thermometer if unsure.
4. Can I make the sauce ahead?
Yes—prepare sauce, cool, and refrigerate. Reheat, adding water or broth if too thick.
5. What pasta shape is best?
Long noodles hold the sauce well, but penne or shells work perfectly.
6. How can I make it gluten‑free?
Use gluten‑free pasta. Ensure broth, cream, and cheese are gluten-free.
7. Can I add vegetables?
Definitely—mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or roasted peppers complement this dish.
8. My sauce is grainy—what happened?
You likely overheated Parmesan. Remove pan from heat before adding cheese and whisk quickly.
9. Can I substitute butter?
Ghee or olive oil can replace butter, but flavor will differ.
10. What side dishes pair well?
Serve with garlic bread, roasted asparagus, green salad, or steamed broccoli.
Conclusion
Garlic Butter Pork Bites with Parmesan Pasta bring great flavor with minimal fuss. Creamy Parmesan sauce and tender pork work harmoniously over pasta, delivering a meal that’s both comforting and refined. Ideal for busy nights when you want a delicious, elegant dinner without the stress—this dish is set to become a go-to staple.
PrintGarlic Butter Pork Bites with Parmesan Pasta
Garlic Butter Pork Bites with Parmesan Pasta is a creamy, protein-packed dish featuring tender pork morsels and rich garlic-Parmesan sauce over perfectly cooked pasta—simple, elegant, and full of flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork tenderloin or pork loin, cut into bite-sized cubes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking water, then drain pasta.
- Season pork bites with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown pork on all sides until cooked through, then transfer to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium, melt butter in the same skillet, and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Add broth and reserved pasta water, stirring to deglaze the pan.
- Pour in cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return pork bites to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Add cooked pasta and mix to combine and coat evenly with sauce.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking pork—145°F is ideal.
- Add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for variety.
- Half-and-half or milk with a bit of flour can replace heavy cream.
- Let sauce cool slightly before adding Parmesan to prevent graininess.
- Leftovers reheat best in a skillet with a splash of cream or broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg