This juicy Stuffed Pork Tenderloin loaded with sweet Italian sausage, spinach, and bread stuffing, served with a mushroom marsala sauce could be your new signature dish!
Throughout my career as a restaurant chef, I always enjoyed creating flavorful dishes using ingredients I had on hand. Taking a lackluster dish and turning it into a culinary adventure!
This restaurant-style dish is easy to make and an inexpensive way to feed a crowd. You’re going to love my Stuffed Pork Tenderloin Recipe!
What Ingredients do I need to make a Stuffed Pork Tenderloin?
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Stuffed Pork Tenderloin. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.
Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
What type of Marsala wine should I use?
My first choice of Marsala wine is made by Pellegrino. I second choice is Cribari. I was traveling when I made this recipe and had to settle for an imported brand which actually was pretty good. But I don’t like to take chances so look for Pellegrino, Cribari, or Florio brands if possible.
The other tip on buying marsala wine, is if there’s a choice between dry and sweet, always buy the sweet (it’s not sweet tasting).This will contradict what most chefs will tell you, so you’re going to have to trust me on this one. Believe me, it will make a big difference in the flavor of the dish and it will not make the sauce sweet, it’s just how they differentiate between the two varieties.
Dry Marsala, in theory, should be more flavorful. But either I haven’t found a good dry marsala or it just doesn’t work as well as advertised in my dishes.
How do I make stuffing for a Pork Tenderloin?
- Remove the casing from the sausage and place into a hot frying pan with a little olive oil.
- As it cooks, break up the pieces so they look like ground meat. When finished place to the side and allow to cool slightly.
- In a clean pan add the spinach with a little water.
- Cook the spinach leaves until completely wilted, then squeeze out any additional water
- In a large bowl, mix together the bread cubes, sausage, spinach, mozzarella, egg and chicken stock.
- Blend all the ingredients together and allow to sit for 10 minutes before using g.
How do I Stuff a Pork Tenderloin?
- With a sharp knife split the pork tenderloin, long ways from end to end.
- Place the pork on a cutting board and cover with a sheet of plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat mallet pound the pork tenderloin to flatten. This will make it easier to stuf
- Divide the stuffing between two pork tenderloins.
- Roll the stuffed pork tenderloin, along the long side making a log, tucking the edges in to seal it.
- Coat the pork tenderloins with bread crumbs
- Place a baking sheet pan with 3 tablespoons of olive oil into a 350-degree preheated oven pan for 8 – 10 minutes to allow the oil to get hot.
- Carefully remove the sheet pan from the oven, and very carefully place the tenderloin in the hot oil to sear it slightly, gently rolling to allow all the sides to briefly sear. *Alternatively, this can be done in a large saute pan on the stove and then placed on the sheet pan
- Place the pan with tenderloins back into the oven and bake for 25 minutes
*Use a good meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should read a minimum of 145 degrees F. You prefer a more well-done pork roast let cook until 160 degrees has been reached.
How do I make a mushroom marsala sauce?
- Saute mushrooms over medium-high heat in a tablespoon of olive oil for about five minutes or until they are tender. Add more oil if needed.
- Add the marsala (reserve two tablespoons) allow to cook for 3-4 minutes
- Add the chicken stock, reduce heat and allow to simmer
- Roll pieces of softened butter in flour to make a beurre manie
- Add the beurre manie to the simmering stock. This will help thicken the sauce.
- Add cream and continue to simmer for 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
- Before serving add the remainder of the marsala to boost the flavor.
Your going to love how easy it is to make this stuffed pork tenderloin and your friends and family are going to love how delicious it is!
Recipe FAQ’s
The Federal Government says pork is safe to eat at 145 degrees. I question that because pre-cooked ingredients are included in the stuffed tenderloin. Therefore, it should come up to 165 degrees to be considered safe.
More Pork Recipes You’ll Love!
Pork Tenderloin Stuffed with Sausage and Spinach
Ingredients
Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
- 2 in Pork Tenderloin usually two a pack
- 1 lb sweet sausage
- 8 oz bag baby spinach
- 2 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups stale bread cubes
- 1 eggs lightly beaten
- 4 oz chicken stock more if needed
- 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
Marsala Sauce
- 1 cup Marsala wine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 12 oz mushrooms – sliced
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon flour
- 1 oz heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Pork Tenderloin
- begin by cleaning up the tenderloin, removing silver skin and fat.
- Split tenderloin down the middle
- Cover the split tenderloin with plastic wrap and using the flat side of a meat hammer, pound out the pork to increase the size of the tenderloin.
Stuffing
- remove the casing from the sausage and cook in a frying pan breaking up the pieces so they look like ground meat. (allow to cool slightly)
- in another frying pan with a little water in the pan cook the spinach leaves until completely wilted, then squeeze out any additional water
- Using stale bread, cut it into cubes or small pieces. *Or use a premade bread cube.
- In a large bowl, mix together the bread, sausage, spinach, mozzarella, egg and chicken stock, blend all the ingredients together*
Stuffed Tenderloin
- divide stuffing between two pork tenderloins, and roll tenderloins, along the long side making a log, tucking the edges in to seal it.
- dredge the stuffed tenderloin in seasoned bread crumbs.
- Place cookie sheet into preheat oven with olive oil in pan and allow it to get heat for about 10 minutes.
- remove pan from oven and very carefully roll the tenderloin in the hot oil to sear it slightly, Be very careful hot oil can burn!
- Place pan with tenderloins back into the oven and bake for 25 minutes
Marsala Sauce
- saute mushrooms in a little olive oil for about five minutes or until they are tender.
- add marsala (reserve two tablespoons) and chicken stock, reduce heat and allow to simmer
- roll pieces of the butter in flour to make a Beurre manie, then add to the simmering stock to help thicken the sauce.
- add cream and continue to simmer
- before serving add the remainder of the marsala to boost the flavor.
Finish
- slice stuffed pork tenderloin about ½ thick and serve with mushroom marsala sauce
Sarah
So, am I reading this correctly? You are saying that 1 pork tenderloin (out of a pack of 2) is going to feed 6 people? Or should I create 4 halves from the 2-pack?
Kelly Baumgartel
I have never like comments on recipes only to state what changes people make. However when I started this recipe I was positive I had Marsala, much to my chagrin I did not! I substituted fresh pressed apple cider. It worked out great my family loved the entire recipe.
NOTE: One other self teachable moment was
DO NOT use a cast iron skillet to make the Marsala sauce, the color was hideous (like bad day grey)
Thanks for your wonderful recipe, it’s a definite TO DO OVER!
Chef Dennis Littley
happy to hear that your dinner worked out with the changes you made. Recipes are about being flexible and using what you like and what you have on hand to adapt them.
Lynne
Great recipe! I didn’t change a thing and it turned out great! My husband says the recipe is a definite keeper.
Chef Dennis Littley
I happy to hear you enjoyed the stuffed pork tenderloin! I hope you find more recipes on my site to try.
Denise
Do you use sweet or dry Marsala
Chef Dennis Littley
I always use sweet marsala, it has a better flavor and really isn’t sweet
Dee
Has anyone tried this with Gluten-free bread? Just wondering how it turned out.
Chef Dennis Littley
As long as the bread does not break down it should be okay
john davies
Hello Chef! This was definitely worth the time to make after coming home from work. My wife and I worked together and the meal wasn’t just delicious, it was fun to make. Besides the good food, its a learning experience. I didn’t know what the Beurre maine was, its a great and easy way to thicken the sauce. I have never had Marsala before; my wife purchased the sweet Pelligrino as you suggested and was that good. One has be careful not to sample more than you need for cooking. Back to the meal; the stuffed tenderloin came out as good as your photo’s portrayed, very tender and flavorful. We served it with red mashed potatoes and corn accompanied by the delicious Marsala sauce. The baby spinach in the stuffing was exceptionally good adding great taste and color to the meal. Thanks again for another great recipe.
Chef Dennis Littley
Thank you so much for sharing your success with me John, and I’m so happy to hear that you and your wife had a good time making the pork together! I will be starting a new cooking show on Google+ at the beginning of March and you’ll be able to cook along with me. The videos will be archived on Youtube, so you can watch them when you have time.
Thanks again for letting me know and so glad you enjoyed a wonderful dinner!
Cheers
Dennis
Christi Brice
This recipe is amazing, I found it earlier and made it for dinner tonight! I used a boneless porkloin instead, and it was so moist and flavorful! My family adored it! Thanks!
Chef Dennis Littley
thanks for letting me know you enjoyed my recipe Christi!
Renea
I cooked this tonight and instead of marsala gravy i made sweet onion gravy with garlic and mushrooms, and it was amazing! Thanks for this recipe!!!
Chef D
Thank you so much for letting me know, You’re version sounds really tasty! My wife won’t eat onions sadly, but I know how good it must have made that dish!
Jessica
I actually looked up this recipe online and came across your site and boy am I happy I did. I’ve been trying different dishes lately and this is by far the best ingredients to use. Thanks for sharing, will be trying this dish for the first time tomorrow.
Chef D
Thanks Jessica, I know you won’t be disappointed, the stuffed pork tenderloin is delicious!
Tom
delicious, will definitely repeat again. Came together perfectly, cooked to 145, rest 20 minutes perfect
Tom
delicious, will definitely repeat again. Came together perfectly
Jackie
Thank you for answering my question Dennis.
I actually ended up making the dish shortly after I posted my note. I didn’t have marsala in the house, so used white wine & a little port, which worked out very well.
It was delicious – I’ll definitely make it again!
Jackie
Hi Dennis,
I just came across your delicious looking recipe, & want to make it ASAP. Just one question … Have you prepared it a few hours in advance of baking? I’d like to get it all ready to pop in the oven after guests arrive,, but wonder if it would work.
Thank you in advance, going to have a look at the rest of your site.
Jackie
Chef D
Hi Jackie,
yes indeed you can make the stuffed pork up ahead of time, in fact the extra time in the refer, will allow it to set up really well, making it easier to handle when cooking. I would make it completely with breading, and then right before you cook it, roll it in bread crumbs again in case any parts got damp.
You can even precook it if you like, which is what I would do in a restaurant, saute for color, then refrigerate. and when the time comes close, just pop it in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes to finish cooking. as soon as the center hits 165 it will be ready to serve.
thanks for stopping by,and if you have any other questions don’t hesitate to contact me!
Cheers
Dennis
Sheryl
Chef, I stumbled across your blog Feb 5th for the first time; the very day you posted this tenderloin Nirvana. I knew I had to try it for my husband for Valentine’s Day.
We just finished dinner and I truly think you understated this amazing dish. Both my husband and I have agreed it goes immediately into the “keeper” file. Thank you so much for sharing this; I’ll be visiting regularly for inspiration.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Chef D
Hi Sheryl
I’m so glad to hear that the recipe worked well for you and that you and your husband enjoyed your dinner! I look forward to hearing from you!
Cheers
Dennis
Apron Appeal
I love your recipes especially those of the stuffed variety!
thoma
wow i cant believe am writing to someone who can make dishes as decadent as that. how i would love to bite into tht lusciousness and moan for the rest of my life…:p
it’s truly a cut above.
wasn’t working in a restaurant stressful. i’ve read Anthony Bourdain’s Underbelly book and boy the grind doesn have competition.
claire
Chef Dennis – i am at work and shouldn’t be perusing recipes but organising publicity for a security report on libya – instead I am drooling over this – yum – port tenderloins here i come!
C
Mandie VanBuren
Absolutely delicious! Didn’t change a thing and it came out perfectly. My only complaint, if you want to call it that, is that the 20 minute preparation time is a bit unrealistic for the average person in my opinion. More like an hour. Totally worth the extra prep time for special occasions.