This creamy pork tenderloin pasta is a beautiful, elegant pork pasta recipe from Trentino-Alto Adige known as tagliatelle alla Castellana in Italian. The easy pork tenderloin sauce includes mushrooms, cream, brandy and pancetta! A delicious, rich, and filling Italian mountain recipe!
This pasta recipe reminds me a little of a pork stroganoff. It’s got a rich, creamy mushroom flavor that combines so well with the pork and pancetta. It’s also easy to make and doesn’t take long.
None of the sauce ingredients need long cooking. In fact, I actually put it all together in the time it took me to boil the water and cook the pasta. This is definitely a recipe that you will love once you try it!
About this Traditional Italian Pork Tenderloin Pasta
In my opinion, the best cheese, milk, cream and butter in Italy come from the Alpine mountain areas. This is probably because the dairy cows don't spend their whole lives eating forage in a stall but get to eat real grass in high mountain pastures and meadows! Even today, sheep and cows are still taken up to the pastures in summer and left to graze under the watchful eye of herders or the farmer and his family.
Whilst in the mountains, the cows are milked there. Consequently, there are a number of delicious Italian cheeses made only with the raw milk from meadow grazing cows in summer!!
This movement of livestock from the valleys to the mountain pastures is called Alpine transhumance. This is actually a very old pastoral tradition that dates back to the Bronze Age!
Needless to say, many Alpine recipes, like this creamy pork tenderloin pasta (tagliatelle alla Castellana), have a generous amount of dairy in them. This sauce is cooked with butter not olive oil and enriched with cream. It also includes brandy, although grappa would be more typical!
Pasta in the mountains.
In the past, pasta wasn’t so popular in the Italian Dolomites. Polenta, bread and rice were the main staple ingredients of most dishes. And, they still form the basis for many recipes. However, nowadays, there are many great pasta recipes enjoyed in Italy’s mountain areas.
The pasta I used for this creamy pork tenderloin tagliatelle was a dried tagliatelle from our local pasta maker. Here in Italy, most towns have a small ‘pastificio’ (pasta maker), where you can buy fresh pasta. It’s a bit like going to the bakers! Many of these places also dry some of the pasta they make, so you can purchase dried too!
Ingredients
Pasta: While tagliatelle is the traditional choice for this recipe, other pasta ribbons like fettuccine or pappardelle can also be great substitutes. They all share a similar flat and wide structure, perfect for this creamy pork sauce. You can also use homemade tagliatelle to make this dish extra special!
Pork Tenderloin (Pork Fillet): Use a high-quality fresh pork tenderloin; it should be pinkish-red in color and not greyed with minimal fat.
Mushrooms: Use fresh mushrooms that are in season. I used white button mushrooms, which worked great, but you can also use cremini or fresh porcini mushrooms, which are the most traditional. Fresh porcini will add a much stronger and earthier flavor.
Pancetta: This Italian bacon brings a savory and slightly salty flavor to the dish. If unavailable, regular smoked bacon can be used as a substitute.
Garlic and Onion: These aromatics are finely chopped to infuse the dish with flavor without overpowering it.
Heavy Cream: The cornerstone of the sauce, providing a luxurious, creamy consistency. For a lighter version, half-and-half can be used, though the sauce will be less rich.
Brandy: This adds a distinct depth and complexity to the sauce.
Butter: Butter is used for its rich flavor, enhancing the mushrooms and onions while contributing to the creamy sauce.
Expert Tips
Cooking Pork Tenderloin: Pork tenderloin (also called pork fillet) cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't overcook and become tough. It's best cooked until just slightly pink to maintain tenderness.
Deglazing with Brandy: After adding the brandy, let it cook off for a few minutes to remove the alcohol content. If you have any brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan from browning the pork, gently scrape them off with a wooden utensil. These bits are packed with flavor and will enrich the sauce.
Pasta Water: If the sauce thickens too much after reducing the cream, use a bit of the reserved pasta water to thin it to your desired consistency. This helps you achieve a smooth and silky sauce.
Step by Step Instructions
1) Put a pot of water onto to boil for the pasta. Add salt once it starts to boil and bring it to boil again.
2) In a heavy skillet or frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until the onion softens slightly.
3) Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan and continue cooking until they start to brown slightly. Then add the pancetta and cook until it begins to brown.
4) Next, add the pork tenderloin pieces to the pan. Cook for just a few minutes, ensuring the pork remains slightly pink and is not overcooked.
5) Increase the heat and add a measure of brandy. After the alcohol evaporates, lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer for about 3 to 4 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly. Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
6) While the sauce simmers, cook the tagliatelle al dente according to the package instructions. For fresh tagliatelle, this should take about 4-5 minutes, and for dried, around 10 minutes.
7) Before draining the pasta, save a cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and then add it to the sauce in the skillet. Stir well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce appears dry, add some reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.
8) Serve the dish immediately, optionally garnished with grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano.
Storage and Leftovers
If you have any leftover creamy pork tenderloin pasta, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It's best consumed within 3 days to maintain the quality and flavor.
Reheating in the Saucepan: Start by placing the pasta in a saucepan over medium heat. To revive the creamy texture of the sauce, add a small amount of water and some additional cream. Begin with a few tablespoons of each and adjust as needed.
Stir the pasta frequently to ensure even heating and to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Continue to heat until the pasta is hot throughout and the sauce returns to its desired consistency.
Reheating in the Microwave: If using a microwave, cover the pasta and heat for 2 minutes. After the initial heating, stir the pasta and continue heating in short intervals, stirring in between, until it's heated throughout.
FAQs
Pork is probably the most popular meat in Italy. There are some delicious Italian pork recipes. Plus, every region has its famous hams, sausages, salami and other cured pork products (salumi). Salumi or cold cuts were traditionally made when pigs were butchered in the late autumn. These were then stored to guarantee a supply of meat during the cold winter months.
This tagliatelle alla Castellana has two types of pork in it, pork tenderloin and pancetta. Some recipes I found for this dish included pork loin, instead of tenderloin and speck, instead of pancetta. So, you could use any combination. In other words, tenderloin and speck or loin and pancetta. However, pork tenderloin (also called fillet) needs much less cooking than pork loin. Plus it’s a lot more tender. I definitely prefer it for this recipe.
If you prefer not to use brandy, you can substitute it with white wine or simply use chicken or vegetable broth for a non-alcoholic option.
Other pork pasta recipes on The Pasta Project.
- Italian Braised Pork Ribs with Pasta
- Cinnamon Spiced Pork Ragu with Tagliatelle
- Gramigna Pasta with Sausage
- Homemade Chestnut Pasta with Pork and Cabbage
If you make this tagliatelle alla Castellana recipe, I’d love to hear how it turns out and if you liked it. So, please leave a comment here on the blog or on The Pasta Project Facebook page.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Buon appetito!
Creamy Pork Tenderloin Pasta (Tagliatelle alla Castellana)
Ingredients
- 12 oz tagliatelle fresh or dried
- 5 oz pork fillet cut into small cubes
- 3 ½ oz pancetta cut into small cubes
- 5 oz mushrooms I used white button mushrooms. Cut into half slices
- 1 garlic clove peeled and finely chopped
- 1 small onion peeled and finely chopped
- 2 oz butter unsalted
- 6 ¾ fl oz heavy cream
- 1 fl oz brandy
- salt for pasta and to taste
- freshly ground black pepper. to taste
Instructions
- Put a pot of water onto to boil for the pasta. Add salt once it starts to boil and bring it to boil again.
- In a heavy skillet or frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until the onion softens slightly.
- Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan and continue cooking until they start to brown slightly. Then add the pancetta and cook until it begins to brown.
- Next, add the pork tenderloin pieces to the pan. Cook for just a few minutes, ensuring the pork remains slightly pink and is not overcooked.
- Increase the heat and add a measure of brandy. After the alcohol evaporates, lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer for about 3 to 4 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly. Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- While the sauce simmers, cook the tagliatelle al dente according to the package instructions. For fresh tagliatelle, this should take about 4-5 minutes, and for dried, around 10 minutes.
- Before draining the pasta, save a cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and then add it to the sauce in the skillet. Stir well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce appears dry, add some reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.
- Serve the dish immediately, optionally garnished with grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano.
Notes
- This recipe can be made with dried, fresh or homemade tagliatelle. You could also use pasta tubes such as penne.
- The original recipe calls for fresh porcini mushrooms but normal white or brown champignon mushrooms work very well too! I wouldn't recommend dried porcini.
Nutrition
Pin for Later:
If you are interested in learning how to make homemade pasta and different types of gnocchi, check out my shop page for some great video online courses from my friends in Rome! Nothing beats learning to make pasta from Italians! Plus while you’re there why not order a copy of one of my pasta recipe cookbooks or checkout some recommended pasta making tools?
Mike W says
This looked like it would probably be pretty good but wow was I wrong... This was out of the park good!!! easy to make and sooo full of great flavors. Had to sub prosciutto for the pancetta and bourbon for the brandy. HIGHLY recommend
Jacqui says
Hi Mike, thanks for your great review. I'm glad this recipe was a hit! It really is such a delicious pasta recipe. I love it too!
cindy a reifsnyder says
So Good - So Easy!
Thank you Jacqui! This was awesome. I bought my tagliatelle and pancetta at our favorite import store. It's always worth the "splurge" but I did substitute half and half for the cream. You're so rights about not overcooking the pork or the pancetta. Love your blog and look forward to it.
Greetings from Pennsylvaniaon the East east of the US
Cindy
Jacqui says
Thanks for your review Cindy. I'm so glad you liked this pork tenderloin pasta recipe. I like it a lot and often make it for guests as it's easy but quite luxurious! All the best from Verona!
Christine Beveridge says
Buongiorno, Jacqui! I made this tonight in southern Australia, where there's the possibility of a frost tonight. It was perfect and so good! Followed the recipe exactly, using a piece of speck. Had some homemade tagliatelle in the freezer, so it was quick and easy to make. Buonissimo! Grazie per le tue ricette.
Jacqui says
Thanks for your comment Christine. I love this pork fillet tagliatelle too. So glad you enjoyed it!
Gayle says
Absolutely delicious! Simple ingredients and doesn’t take a lot of time to make. The brandy isn’t overpowering: it just makes the cream sauce delectable. I made fresh pasta and the dish was hit with my husband and guests.
Beth says
This really was delicious--thank you for the recipe. We used bourbon rather than brandy because that's all we had, and half and half rather than cream for the same reason. You're absolutely right that the cubes of pork don't need a lot of time to cook--I cooked them very briefly and I think I could have done less. The flavor of the whole dish is intense considering how simple it is. Next time will probably cook the onions longer, and maybe do the mushrooms separately to get more color, but overall this was wonderful. Can't wait to explore other recipes!
susan says
Planning to make this weekend. What is 'a measure of brandy'?
Jacqui says
Hi Susan. A measure would be a shot which is 1-1.5oz in US or 25-35ml in UK. Am sure you'll enjoy this recipe. Do let me know how it turns out.
Deborah Vogts says
This looks delicious. I love pasta recipes and always enjoy visiting your page. My favorite way to use tagliatelle is with a Ragu Bolognese Sauce. So yummy. I look forward to trying this recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Laura says
This Is the best food we have ever eaten. We all became fat on it. We want to eat it everyday.
PS I let the onions caremelize. The mushrooms too, just a little. I cooked the pancetta long enough to render nearly all the fat.
It was a great big flavor bomb.
Jacqui says
Dear Laura, I'm so very happy you liked this recipe so much! Sounds like you made it in a really flavourful way! I hope you'll try some other of my recipes too! Stay safe and well!
henry turner says
i only have proscuttio and bacon. will either work instead of pancetta?
love everything you suggest. you’re providing a great service to those of us who only visit and love italy..
Jacqui says
Hi Henry, thanks for your comment. I think either prosciutto or bacon would work and add flavour. The best would be whichever is thicker. If you only have normal slices the bacon will produce more fat and can be cooked like guanciale/pancetta. But if the prosciutto is thin slices don't cook for too long as it dries out. I'm happy you like my blog! Hope you are staying safe and well!
Connie says
I'm always amazed how knowledgeable you are about pasta and passionate too. Learn so much each time I visit. Italy is a small country compared with others on a global scale so to know that there are differences by the way people farm and make their pastas, is quite fascinating. As well as this dish too. So creamy, definitely love this!
The Pasta Project says
Thank you, Connie, that is very kind of you to say. As you say, it's fascinating learning about the regional cultures. Italy may be small, but it has a very long and rich history!
Keith says
made this tonight totally fantastic recipe. I make a similar recipe with chicken and have a little squeeze of honey just before finishing cooking.
tried a little honey with your recipe. simply awesome.
Aline says
Made this for dinner last night, and loved it!! We wanted a comforting meal that was easy to make and this is exactly that! Delicious!
The Pasta Project says
I am glad you liked it, Aline. Comfort food is one joy we can safely partake in!
Jacque Hastert says
I love all pasta dishes! I can't wait to see how this comes together in my home.
The Pasta Project says
I am sure it will be perfect, Jacque. I love all pasta dishes too!
Marcel Corbeanu says
This looks delicious and simple enough to make, even for someone that doesn't have any kind of special cooking skills. I will try it but without the meat, as I'm a vegetarian ::)
The Pasta Project says
You will get the lovely flavour of the mushrooms, it will work perfectly as a meat free dish.
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
I am loving pasta recipes these days. This looks so perfect! Bookmarked for later, thanks for the recipe! 🙂
The Pasta Project says
Pasta is a great ingredient - you can easily keep it until you need it and it is so versatile.
Kelly Anthony says
Wow-what a delicious combination of flavors. This creamy pork tagliatelle is sure to be a crowd favorite.
The Pasta Project says
Thank you, Kelly. If you are like me, you are looking forward to cooking for a crowd again!
Amy Liu Dong says
Every pasta recipe is definitely be a hit for me as I'm a pasta lover. Loved how creativity you've done on this recipe, will absolutely try this at home.
The Pasta Project says
Thank you for your comment, Amy. I am glad you like the recipe!