Sheet Pan Blackened Pork with Cajun-Spiced Sweet Potatoes

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

Bold and smoky blackened pork tenderloin paired with sweet potatoes tossed in Cajun spices inspired by diverse U.S. heritage. This Southern American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 45 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 400 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.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 medium (about 3 cups) sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. 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 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to make the blackening spice mix.
2. Step 2: Rub 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin all over with 2 tbsp olive oil, then coat evenly with the blackening spice mix. Place on one side of a large sheet pan.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, toss 2 peeled and cubed medium sweet potatoes (about 3 cups) with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread on the other side of the sheet pan in a single layer.
4. Step 4: Roast pork and sweet potatoes for 25-30 minutes, turning the sweet potatoes halfway through, until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F and the sweet potatoes are tender and slightly crisp on edges.
5. Step 5: Let the pork rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the sweet potatoes and serve alongside the sliced pork.