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Flavorful Grilled Steak Pasta Salad Recipe with Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette

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A hearty yet fresh pasta salad featuring smoky grilled steak, crisp vegetables, and a tangy homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect for quick meals, gatherings, and impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini pasta
  • 1 pound flank steak or skirt steak, trimmed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin) for marinade
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (for marinade)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil (for vinaigrette)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic, finely minced (for vinaigrette)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Steak (10 minutes active + 30 minutes resting): In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the steak, turning to coat well. Cover and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the fridge).
  2. Cook the Pasta (8-10 minutes): Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini and cook until just al dente. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Drain well again.
  3. Prepare the Vinaigrette (5 minutes): In a small bowl, whisk balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  4. Grill the Steak (8-12 minutes): Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill steak 4-6 minutes per side for medium-rare. Use tongs to flip only once. Remove and let rest 5 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain.
  5. Assemble the Salad (5-7 minutes): In a large bowl, combine pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and basil. Toss gently. Add sliced steak and drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette. Toss lightly again to coat.
  6. Final Touches: Sprinkle crumbled feta over the top if using. Taste and add extra salt or pepper if needed. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to meld flavors.

Notes

If steak is thicker than 1 inch, increase grill time slightly. Always rest steak after grilling to retain juices. Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after cooking to prevent mushiness. Whisk vinaigrette slowly to emulsify; if it separates, whisk again before use.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled steak pasta salad, balsamic vinaigrette, summer salad, easy pasta salad, steak salad, backyard barbecue recipe

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/flavorful-grilled-steak-pasta-salad-recipe-with-easy-balsamic-vinaigrette/