Flavorful Steak Caesar Salad (Printable)

Juicy grilled steak with pasta, romaine, cherry tomatoes, and a creamy Caesar dressing in a colorful salad.

# 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

# Directions:

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 creates this incredible temperature contrast that makes every bite feel special
  • Its substantial enough to be dinner but still light enough for a summer afternoon
  • The leftovers somehow taste even better the next day
02 -
  • Slice the steak against the grain or it'll be tough and chewy instead of tender
  • The pasta absorbs dressing as it sits, so keep a little extra on hand for refreshing leftovers
  • Don't skip rinsing the pasta under cold water or it'll continue cooking and get mushy
03 -
  • A cast iron grill pan gives you restaurant-quality char marks even without an outdoor grill
  • Mix some chopped fresh basil or parsley into the salad for a pop of color and freshness

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