Spice-Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin is prized for being the tastiest, most tender cut. Match it with a sensational spice rub and about 25 minutes in the oven, and you'll have a marvelous main course that comes together almost effortlessly — at a fraction of the cost of its beef counterpart. It's a good idea to monitor your tenderloins as they roast; if the tops appear to be browning too quickly, tent a piece of foil over the pan to protect them while the rest of the meat finishes cooking.

Because the pork tenderloin seasoning is versatile, the sky's the limit for what you can serve this dish with. We'd be hard-pressed to think of a vegetable that wouldn't pair well here, so take advantage of whatever looks good at the market. Then for a starch component: Since the roast is not especially time or labor-intensive, it might offer a good opportunity to make a side that requires more TLC. Perhaps try a cheesy potato dish such as potatoes au gratin or Manchego mashed potatoes. Or maybe scrap the potatoes and commit to the cheese with an indulgent mac and cheese. There is no wrong answer here, just delicious possibility.

If you happen to have leftovers, you can transform the oven-roasted pork tenderloin into another meal entirely by making it into taco filling. You'll need two tenderloins for this fantastic recipe with avocado salsa that's ready in just 20 minutes.