Cherry Bourbon Pork Pasta Bowl (Print)

Tender pork glazed with cherry bourbon, served over herbed pasta for a comforting, flavorful main dish.

# Ingredients:

→ Pork

01 - 1.1 lbs pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 0.5 tsp salt
04 - 0.25 tsp black pepper

→ Cherry Bourbon Glaze

05 - 1 cup fresh or frozen pitted cherries, halved
06 - 0.33 cup bourbon
07 - 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
08 - 2 tbsp honey
09 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
10 - 0.5 tsp red chili flakes (optional)
11 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pasta & Garnishes

12 - 10 oz short pasta (e.g., penne or rigatoni)
13 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
14 - 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta per package directions until al dente. Drain, toss with butter, and set aside.
02 - Season pork pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork until browned and just cooked through, approximately 4–5 minutes. Remove pork from skillet and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, combine cherries, bourbon, balsamic vinegar, honey, soy sauce, chili flakes (if using), and minced garlic. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cherries soften and the sauce thickens, approximately 8–10 minutes.
04 - Return pork to the skillet. Toss to coat thoroughly with the cherry bourbon glaze. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until pork is heated through and well glazed.
05 - Divide the buttered pasta among individual serving bowls. Spoon the glazed pork and sauce over the pasta.
06 - Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and parsley. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Ready in under an hour for a gourmet experience without the fuss
  • Perfect balance of sweet cherry and smoky bourbon flavors
  • Impressive enough for guests but simple enough for weeknights
  • Versatile dish that works year-round with fresh or frozen cherries
02 -
  • Perfect for meal prep as flavors improve overnight
  • Contains approximately 570 calories per serving
  • Impressive presentation with minimal effort
  • Can be adapted for special diets with simple swaps
03 -
  • For the most tender pork slice against the grain and at a slight angle
  • Let the bourbon simmer for at least 5 minutes to cook off the alcohol while keeping the flavor
  • The sauce should coat the back of a spoon when properly reduced
  • Fresh cherries need pitting but offer superior texture frozen cherries save time without sacrificing flavor
  • Room temperature pork sears better than cold pork straight from the refrigerator

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