Flavorful Steak Caesar Pasta (Printable)
Hearty pasta salad with grilled steak, romaine, cherry tomatoes, and creamy Caesar dressing.
# 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 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.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of warm grilled steak and cool pasta creates this incredible texture contrast that keeps every bite interesting
- It actually tastes better after sitting for 15 minutes so you can make it ahead and still serve something impressive
02 -
- Resting the steak is not optional those five minutes make the difference between juicy and dry meat
- Rinsing the pasta under cold water prevents it from becoming one gummy clump
03 -
- Marinate the steak in some Caesar dressing for thirty minutes before grilling for an extra flavor boost
- Let the salad sit for fifteen minutes before serving to let the dressing soften the pasta just right