Easy Baked Pork Loin Roast

If this is your first time cooking a pork loin roast, no problem. I show you how in the short video below and share my tips for success in this post.

Pork Loin Roast with Sweet Potatoes

This Baked Pork Loin Roast recipe is one that I've been making for years, both at gatherings and on Sundays, for a terrific family meal. The simple glaze elevates this simple recipe while all the veggies are cooked in the same pan. Because trust me, you'll want them to absorb the juices.

A juicy pork loin roast surrounded by sweet potatoes, carrots, and apples is a mouthwatering sweet-and-sour combo that will have everyone asking for seconds. The best part: this beauty comes together super fast and then you just let it bake.

Something else I love about this recipe is that it can be prepped ahead of time. I can make the glaze and top the pork with it, place the pork on the sheet pan, and even chop the sweet potatoes ahead of time.

The entire sheet pan goes in the fridge, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for about a day, so I can focus on doing all the other things on my to-do list.

What is a Pork Loin Roast

Pork Loin Roast is a large and lean cut of meat that goes from the shoulder of the pig to the beginning of the leg. It’s also known as center-cut pork roast, New York pork roast, top loin pork roast, or ribeye roast.

Ingredients 

This amazing meal looks like your next Instagram snap and tastes like a million bucks, but you won’t believe how easy it is! The secret? Simple and tasty ingredients. Here’s the list:

• Pork loin roast: also known as center-cut pork roast, New York pork roast, top loin pork roast, or ribeye roast.
• Salt and pepper: for seasoning.
• Italian seasoning: for adding flavor to the pork and the veggies.
• Dijon mustard: it’s what makes this baked pork taste so good!
• Brown sugar: combined with the sugar, creates a sweet and sour crust that goes great with this meat.
• Olive oil: for coating the veggies.
• Carrots: add them coarsely chopped.
• Sweet potatoes: peeled and sliced into wedges.
• Apples: use Granny Smith apples cored and cut into thick wedges.

How to Make Pork Loin Roast in the Oven

Preparing this pork loin roast only takes 10 minutes and then you just let the oven do the rest. The meat and the veggies cook at the same time, making this recipe super easy and convenient. Check the step-by-step:

1. Prep the oven
   You start preheating the oven to 375F and greasing a baking sheet or roasting pan.
2. Prep the veggies
   You want carrots and sweet potatoes cut into similar thick pieces so they cook evenly.
3. Cut the apples
   You’ll add the apples to the oven later since they cook faster, but first, cut them into wedges so you can have everything ready when you need it.
4. Season the pork
   You season the pork loin generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
5. Create a tasty crust
   With the fat side up, you spread the Dijon mustard and sprinkle brown sugar to create a delicious crust.
6. Season the veggies
   You coat carrots and sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and Italian seasoning. Then, place them around the pork loin.
7. Bake
   Now, bake the pork loin roast and veggies in the oven for about 50 minutes.
8. Add the apples
   After 30 minutes of roasting, you remove the tray from the oven and add the apples. Sprinkle them with the remaining brown sugar and place the pan back in the oven for an additional 20 minutes.
9. Check doneness
   Poke the middle of the roast with a digital thermometer to check doneness. If it’s 145F, you’ll know cooked. 
10. Remove from the oven
    Once the pork loin is cooked and the veggies are tender, you remove them from the oven, cover with foil for 5 minutes, and serve.

Check out this video to see how I make this baked pork loin roast with sweet potatoes:

What Temperature to Bake Pork Loin Roast

The best temperature to bake pork loin roast is 375F. Cooking time is about 20 minutes per pound, so it will vary depending on your piece of pork. At 375F, sweet potatoes and carrots will take about 45 minutes to roast. This way, the meat is tender and juicy, and it cooks at the same time as the veggies, so there’s no need to bake them separately.

Keeping it Juicy

Besides checking the internal temperature to prevent the pork roast from overcooking, the best way to keep the meat juicy is to let it rest once it’s done.

Once the pork loin reaches 145F, remove it from the oven, cover it with foil, and let it rest for about 5 minutes so the meat can reabsorb all the juices.

What to Serve with a Pork Loin Roast

I like to keep this meal simple by serving my baked pork loin roast with veggies I can cook in the oven along with the meat, as I do in this recipe with sweet potatoes and carrots. Other great veggies you can bake at the same time are roasted cubed beets, roasted cauliflower florets, and fingerling potatoes.

This dish also tastes amazing with roasted fall vegetables, such as butternut squash and Brussels sprouts. For a light side, you can serve pork loin roast with roasted broccolini or baked cherry tomatoes. Tasty, nutritious, and easy to cook in one sheet pan!

If you crave a fresh side, add this Corn and Tomato Salad, or you can up the ante and indulge yourself with this creamy Southern Mashed Potatoes recipe. Roasted pork loin goes well with sooo many things!

Storing and reheating Leftovers

Leftover baked pork loin roast can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for 2 or 3 months. If the pork loin is frozen, thaw it before reheating.

To reheat in the oven, preheat it at 350F, add some water or broth, cover with foil, and reheat for 15 to 20 minutes or until it’s warm enough.

To reheat in the microwave, place the meat in a microwave-safe dish, add some water, cover with a damp paper towel, and reheat for about 2 minutes, adding time in 30-second increments until it’s heated through.