Flavorful Steak Caesar Salad (Printable version)
Juicy grilled steak with pasta and crisp romaine tossed in creamy Caesar dressing for a vibrant 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. Set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Pat steak dry and rub with olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper.
03 - Grill steak 3–4 minutes per side for medium-rare, adjusting time for preferred doneness. Remove from heat and let rest 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
04 - In a large salad bowl, toss together cooled pasta, chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion.
05 - Drizzle Caesar dressing over salad mixture. Add grated Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Toss gently until evenly coated.
06 - Arrange sliced steak over dressed salad. Sprinkle with croutons, shaved Parmesan, and additional black pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate 15 minutes for chilled version.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It is a complete meal in one bowl with protein carbs and vegetables
- The Caesar flavor makes everything feel indulgent without much effort
02 -
- Letting the steak rest before slicing is crucial or all the juices will run out onto your cutting board
- The pasta must be completely cooled before adding it to the salad or it will wilt the lettuce
03 -
- Marinate the steak in some of the Caesar dressing for at least 30 minutes before grilling
- Toast your croutons in the same pan you used for the steak to capture those beefy juices