Oven-Roasted Cajun-Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Mash

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Tender pork tenderloin coated in a bold Cajun spice blend, oven-roasted to juicy perfection, served alongside creamy mashed sweet potatoes with a touch of butter and cinnamon. This Southern American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs pork tenderloin, olive oil, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Southern American cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs pork tenderloin
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 large (about 1 lb) sweet potatoes
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp salt

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the Cajun seasoning.
Step 2: Rub 2 tbsp olive oil evenly over 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin, then coat it thoroughly with the Cajun spice blend. Place pork on a rimmed baking sheet.
Step 3: Roast pork tenderloin in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Step 4: Meanwhile, peel and cut 2 large sweet potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Place in a pot of cold water, bring to a boil, and cook for 15 minutes or until tender.
Step 5: Drain sweet potatoes and return to pot. Add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp salt. Mash until smooth and creamy.
Step 6: Serve sliced pork tenderloin alongside the sweet potato mash, spooning any resting juices over the meat.