Flavorful Steak Caesar Pasta Salad (Print version)
Juicy grilled steak, crisp greens, and pasta tossed in creamy Caesar dressing for a satisfying meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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 according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool completely. Set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Pat steak dry with paper towels, rub with olive oil, and season generously with kosher salt and black pepper on both sides.
03 - Grill steak for 3–4 minutes per side for medium-rare, adjusting time for desired doneness. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Slice thinly against the grain.
04 - In a large salad bowl, combine cooled pasta, chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion.
05 - Drizzle Caesar dressing over the salad mixture. Add grated Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
06 - Arrange sliced steak over the dressed salad. Top with croutons and shaved Parmesan. Finish with additional freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate 15 minutes for a chilled version.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Its the perfect bridge between comfort food and something fresh
- You get that restaurant feel without spending an hour cooking
02 -
- Cold pasta is essential here so cook it earlier or rinse thoroughly under cold water
- Letting the steak rest prevents all those delicious juices from running onto your cutting board
03 -
- Marinate the steak in Caesar dressing for 30 minutes before grilling for extra flavor
- Use a vegetable peeler to create those restaurant style Parmesan shavings