Flavorful Steak Caesar Pasta Salad (Printer-friendly)
A hearty salad with grilled steak, romaine, pasta, and creamy Caesar dressing, perfect for lunch or dinner.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meat
01 - 12 oz sirloin steak
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Pasta
05 - 8 oz short pasta (penne or rotini)
→ Vegetables
06 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
→ Dressing
09 - ⅓ cup Caesar dressing
10 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
→ Toppings
12 - ½ cup croutons
13 - ¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool. Set aside.
02 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Pat steak dry and rub with olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper evenly on both sides.
03 - Grill steak for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until reaching desired doneness. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
04 - Slice rested steak thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness. Set aside.
05 - In a large salad bowl, toss together cooled pasta, chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion.
06 - Drizzle Caesar dressing over salad. Add grated Parmesan and lemon juice. Toss gently until evenly combined.
07 - Arrange sliced steak over top of dressed salad. Sprinkle with croutons and shaved Parmesan. Finish with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate 15 minutes for a chilled version.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Its a complete meal in one bowl, with protein, vegetables, and carbs all playing together perfectly
- The warm steak against the chilled salad creates this incredible temperature contrast that keeps every bite interesting
02 -
- Do not skip rinsing the pasta under cold water, otherwise it keeps cooking and turns mushy
- The salad needs at least 15 minutes in the refrigerator after tossing for the flavors to really come together
03 -
- Marinate the steak in a bit of Caesar dressing for 30 minutes before grilling for an extra layer of flavor
- Toast your own croutons from day old bread for texture that puts store bought to shame