Description
Steak Pizzaiola is a classic Italian-inspired dish featuring tender sirloin steaks simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce infused with garlic, basil, and oregano. This quick and delicious recipe combines seared steak with a rich and aromatic sauce, perfect for serving with crusty bread or pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Steak
- 2 slices of sirloin steak, ½ inch thick, 7 ounces each
- 2 cloves crushed garlic
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Kosher salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce
- 14 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 small finely chopped onion (¼ cup)
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried whole oregano
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped loosely packed
Instructions
- Season the Steak: Season the sirloin steaks generously with kosher salt and ground black pepper. Let them rest at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Sear the Steak: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil along with the crushed garlic cloves. Place one steak at a time in the hot skillet and sear for 30 seconds to 1 minute until slightly golden brown, then flip and sear the other side. For larger skillets, both steaks can be seared simultaneously.
- Baste with Butter: Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet, tilt the pan, and spoon the melted butter over the steaks to enhance flavor and keep the meat moist. Repeat the basting for the second steak if cooking individually.
- Rest the Steaks: Remove the seared steaks from the skillet and place them on a plate to rest, allowing the juices to redistribute.
- Sauté the Onions: Remove half of the oil and butter mixture from the skillet. In the remaining fat, sauté the finely chopped onions until they become translucent, around 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the onions and sauté for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute, being careful not to let the garlic burn.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes. Sprinkle in the dried basil and dried oregano, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing it to thicken and the flavors to meld.
- Combine Steaks and Sauce: Once the sauce has thickened, nestle the rested steaks back into the skillet. Simmer gently for 30 seconds, then turn the steaks and top with fresh chopped basil. Turn off the heat after 30 seconds or once the steaks are warmed through.
- Serve: Serve the steak pizzaiola hot, accompanied by crusty bread or your favorite pasta to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Prepare all ingredients and have them close at hand before cooking, as the process happens quickly and prevents burning the onions and garlic.
- Fresh basil added right before serving retains its vibrant flavor and aroma.
- Feel free to experiment by adding other herbs or spices to customize the sauce or substitute the steak with other proteins according to preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 steak with sauce
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
