This Steak & Pasta Salad combines juicy grilled steak, tender pasta, fresh vegetables, and a zesty cilantro lime vinaigrette, making it a hearty and refreshing meal. Perfect for summer cookouts or meal prep!
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- 1 lb flank steak
- 8 oz fusilli pasta (or any short pasta)
- 2 ears sweet corn, grilled and kernels removed
- 1 large red bell pepper, grilled and chopped
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- ½ cup cotija cheese (or feta), crumbled
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette:
- ¼ cup lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Steak:
- Season flank steak with salt and black pepper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ½ of the vinaigrette and use it to marinate the steak for at least 1 hour (or overnight for best flavor).
2. Cook the Pasta:
- Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
3. Grill the Steak & Vegetables:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the steak for 5-6 minutes per side for medium-rare (130°F / 54°C internal temp).
- Remove from heat, cover with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- While grilling, cook corn and red bell pepper for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly charred.
4. Assemble the Salad:
- Slice the steak into thin strips.
- Cut corn kernels off the cob and dice the grilled red bell pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, steak, corn, bell pepper, grape tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and cotija cheese.
5. Dress & Serve:
- Pour the remaining vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt & black pepper if needed.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Tips:
- For extra flavor, add avocado slices or black beans.
- To make ahead, store salad and dressing separately, mixing just before serving.
- Great for meal prep—just store in airtight containers for easy lunches!
