Flavorful Steak Caesar Salad (Printer-friendly)
Juicy grilled steak and crisp romaine combine with pasta and tangy Caesar dressing for a fresh meal.
# 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
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 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.
07 - Serve immediately, or chill for 15 minutes for a colder salad.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The warm steak against the cool pasta creates this incredible temperature contrast that makes every bite interesting
- You get all the satisfaction of a steak dinner but in a format that actually feeds a crowd without breaking the bank
02 -
- Rinse the pasta thoroughly under cold water or it will keep cooking and turn mushy in the salad
- Letting the steak rest before slicing is non-negotiable or all those juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in the salad
03 -
- Marinate the steak in a bit of Caesar dressing for 30 minutes before grilling for an extra flavor layer
- Toast the croutons yourself with a little garlic butter for a restaurant-quality touch