Flavorful Steak Caesar Pasta Salad (Printable)

Grilled steak, romaine, pasta, and creamy Caesar combine for a filling, fresh dish perfect any time.

# 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 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 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Pat steak dry and rub with olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Grill steak 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until desired doneness is reached. Remove from heat and let rest 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
04 - In a large salad bowl, combine cooled pasta, chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
05 - Drizzle with Caesar dressing, add grated Parmesan and lemon juice. Toss gently until evenly coated.
06 - Top salad with sliced steak, croutons, and shaved Parmesan. Finish with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate 15 minutes for a chilled version.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It hits every texture craving with crisp romaine, tender pasta, and juicy steak
  • The dressing clings to everything so each bite is packed with flavor
  • You can prep most components ahead and assemble in under ten minutes
02 -
  • Slicing the steak against the grain keeps it tender instead of chewy, look for the lines running through the meat and cut across them
  • Let the pasta cool completely before mixing or the heat will make the lettuce sad and wilted within minutes
  • The salad is best served immediately but if you need to prep ahead, keep the dressing separate and toss right before serving
03 -
  • Marinate the steak in some of the Caesar dressing for 30 minutes before grilling for next level flavor
  • Let the finished salad sit for about 5 minutes before serving so the flavors can mingle and get friendly

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