Steak Is the New Spaghetti and Meatballs
Step aside, spaghetti and meatballs. When it comes to feeding a big crowd (and leaving them raving about your incredible cooking skills), there’s a new top dog: the steak dinner.
Wait, you say. Steak? But a big meal has gotta be cheap. Yes, we know. Let us explain why we think steak needs to be more than a special-occasion diner.
Pictured above: Upside-Down Steak Dinner Bowl
1. You can feed a big group with one piece of meat.
Let’s get straight to business: Steak is more expensive than ground beef, yes, but you don’t need a lot of it. A few slices of great steak on delicious side dishes will satisfy and impress.
Add one or two sides — we love the idea of a simple salad or roasted veggies and something starchy, like mashed potatoes or mac and cheese — and it’s safe to say that everyone around the table will be able to load up their plates without coming up empty.
Check out this shopping guide: The 5 Budget Best Cuts of Beef, According to a Butcher
2. It’s easy to figure out how much food you’ll need.
Bonus: The math of steak is even easier. Will that pan of lasagna be enough? Who knows? With a steak dinner, there’s a simple rule of thumb to work off: Figure each person will need four to eight ounces of meat, depending on how extensive the side dishes are.
So, one dinner for a crowd, one piece of meat. With steak, you can buy one flank steak, a brisket, or a rib-eye. Cook it up and slice it, and dinner is ready for everyone!
Make sure you have enough: How Much Steak Do You (Really) Need per Person?
3. It’s easier than you think to make (but still feels impressive).
If you have a grill, you can cook an incredible steak in a few steps. If you don’t, all you really need is a cast iron skillet, a good piece of meat, and some salt and pepper. No matter what you do, you’re basically guaranteed to impress.
Learn These No-Fail Techniques
4. Cleanup is easy.
Whether you’re grilling or cooking your steak in the oven, the number of pots and pans involved is minimal — which makes cleanup pretty easy. Of course, if you make complicated sides, this point doesn’t hold. (Read: Skip the complicated sides or make them in advance!).
When I was growing up, the steak dinner was usually a symbol of something exciting that deserved celebrating, whether it was nailing a midterm or graduating from high school. I’m sure I’m not alone in this. Get everyone around the table today for a homemade steak dinner and it’s automatically going to feel special.
Even more special than meatballs? That’s for you to decide, but let us nudge you towards the family-style steak dinner at least once this year. Simple and special is the way to go.
Do you do steak family-style? What are your favorite sides to serve with it?