Flavorful Steak Caesar Pasta Salad (Printable Version)
A hearty mix of grilled steak, romaine, pasta, and Caesar dressing creating a vibrant and satisfying salad.
# What You 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 (store-bought or homemade)
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 Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
02 - While the pasta cooks, preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Pat the steak dry and rub with olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Grill the steak for 3-4 minutes per side (for medium-rare), or until desired doneness. Remove from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
04 - In a large salad bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
05 - Drizzle with Caesar dressing, add grated Parmesan and lemon juice, and toss gently to combine.
06 - Top the salad with sliced steak, croutons, and shaved Parmesan. Finish with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, or chill for 15 minutes for a colder salad.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The warm steak against cool crisp lettuce creates this incredible temperature contrast that keeps every bite interesting
- It transforms ordinary pasta salad into something substantial enough to call dinner
- The leftovers actually taste better after the flavors hang out in the fridge overnight
02 -
- Rinsing the pasta under cold water isn't optional, it stops the cooking and prevents that gummy texture
- Letting the steak rest before slicing keeps all those delicious juices from running out onto your cutting board
- Slicing against the grain is the secret to tender steak, even with a less expensive cut like sirloin
03 -
- Marinate the steak in some Caesar dressing for 30 minutes before grilling for extra depth
- Toast your croutons with a little garlic butter for next-level flavor