Flavorful Steak Caesar Salad (Print Version)
Juicy grilled steak combined with crisp romaine, al dente pasta, 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.
07 - Serve immediately, or chill for 15 minutes for a colder salad.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The warm steak against chilled pasta creates this incredible temperature contrast that keeps every bite interesting
- It's one of those rare salads that actually leaves you satisfied for hours, not hungry again in thirty minutes
02 -
- Cutting the steak immediately after grilling makes all those juices run out onto your cutting board instead of staying in the meat, so patience during the resting phase really pays off
- I've learned that over-dressing the pasta makes it soggy after sitting, so start with less and add more as needed
03 -
- Let your steak rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes before grilling, and you'll get a much more even cook
- If your Caesar dressing seems too thick, whisk in a teaspoon of water or more lemon juice until it's pourable