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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Beef Pasta Salad - Comforting, Savory, and Surprisingly Fresh

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Short pasta: 12 ounces rotini, fusilli, or penne
  • Beef: 1 pound sirloin, flank steak, or steak tips, thinly sliced
  • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons, divided
  • Salt and pepper: To season pasta water, beef, and salad
  • Garlic: 3–4 cloves, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder in a pinch)
  • Parmesan cheese: 1 cup finely grated, plus extra for serving
  • Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup
  • Greek yogurt or sour cream: 1/2 cup
  • Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed
  • Dijon mustard: 1 teaspoon
  • Honey: 1 teaspoon (optional, for balance)
  • Red pepper flakes: A pinch (optional, for heat)
  • Cherry tomatoes: 1 cup, halved
  • Red onion: 1/4 cup, thinly sliced or finely diced
  • Spinach or arugula: 2 cups, roughly chopped
  • Fresh parsley: 1/4 cup, chopped

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just al dente. Reserve 1/3 cup pasta water, then drain and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking. Toss with a splash of olive oil so it doesn’t stick.
  2. Season and sear the beef: Pat the beef dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear beef in batches, 1–2 minutes per side, until browned but still tender. Transfer to a plate to rest.
  3. Make the dressing: In a bowl, whisk mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon, honey, and red pepper flakes. Stir in garlic and Parmesan. Thin with a splash of reserved pasta water until creamy and pourable. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  4. Prep the vegetables: Halve cherry tomatoes, slice red onion, and chop greens and parsley. Keep them bite-size for easy eating.
  5. Combine: In a large bowl, add cooled pasta, beef (slice any large pieces), tomatoes, onion, greens, and parsley. Pour over most of the dressing and toss gently to coat.
  6. Adjust: Add more dressing as needed. If the salad looks dry, loosen with a little pasta water or a drizzle of olive oil. Finish with extra Parmesan.
  7. Rest and serve: Let it sit 10–15 minutes so the flavors meld. Serve slightly cool or at room temperature.