Description
A comforting Christmas Dinner for Two featuring perfectly seared rib eye steaks, cheesy twice-baked potatoes, tender roasted asparagus with a zesty lemon finish, warm buttery rolls, and a creamy, flavorful spinach steak sauce. This cozy meal brings together classic flavors and easy preparation for a memorable holiday dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Steak and Seasoning
- 2 rib eye steaks, about 1 pound each and 1.5-inches thick
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if using bacon bits instead of bacon drippings)
Twice-Baked Potatoes
- 2 medium Russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
- 3 slices bacon (or 1/2 cup pre-packaged bacon bits)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 scallion, sliced
Asparagus
- 1 small bunch very thin asparagus (about 3/4 pound)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 a lemon
Steak Sauce
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 big handfuls baby spinach
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Other
- 2 small rolls from the freezer
- Butter, for serving the rolls
Instructions
- Prepare Steaks: Preheat oven to 350°F and allow steaks to reach room temperature while preparing the rest of the meal.
- Cook Potatoes: Poke holes in potatoes with a fork, wrap in paper towel, and microwave on high 5 minutes. Flip and microwave 5 more minutes until tender. Cool before handling.
- Cook Bacon: In a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon slices until sizzling (about 4 minutes), flip and cook other side until almost crisp. Remove bacon; keep drippings in skillet for searing steaks. Chop cooled bacon; set aside. If using pre-packaged bacon bits, skip this step and use olive oil for steaks.
- Prepare Potato Filling: Slice cooled potatoes in half and scoop out flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Mash potato flesh with sour cream, milk, butter, cheddar, scallions, and chopped bacon.
- Assemble Twice-Baked Potatoes: Spoon potato mixture back into potato skins and place on a baking sheet.
- Prepare Asparagus: Rinse asparagus and snap off tough ends. Place spears on baking sheet next to potatoes, drizzle with olive oil, season generously with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
- Sear Steaks: Pat steaks dry and season liberally with salt and pepper. Heat skillet with bacon drippings over medium-high until hot and rippling. Add steaks and sear undisturbed 4-5 minutes until golden brown and easily releases from pan. Flip and cook other side for about 3 minutes, then turn off heat.
- Combine and Bake: Transfer steaks to baking sheet with potatoes and asparagus. Add two defrosted rolls on the pan. Bake everything 10-15 minutes until steaks are cooked through, asparagus tender, potatoes melted and golden, and rolls browned.
- Make Steak Sauce: In a microwave-safe cup, whisk half and half with cornstarch until dissolved. Microwave on high 30 seconds, whisk, then microwave another 15 seconds until thickened.
- Finish Sauce: Stir in baby spinach, grated garlic, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes into hot sauce. Cover with plastic wrap and let spinach wilt and garlic cook slightly.
- Adjust Seasoning: Uncover and stir sauce well. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed; spinach may require extra salt.
- Serve: Slice steaks against the grain. Arrange steaks, twice-baked potatoes, roasted asparagus, and rolls on plates. Drizzle steak sauce over steaks and squeeze lemon half over asparagus before serving.
Notes
- If you prefer, substitute pre-packaged bacon bits for cooking bacon to save time.
- Make sure to pat steaks completely dry before searing for best browning.
- Microwaving potatoes is a quick shortcut but you can bake them if preferred.
- Use a cast iron skillet for perfect sear and flavor from bacon drippings.
- Adjust spinach seasoning carefully as it can be mild but needs salt to balance.
- Serving rolls warm with butter adds a nice finishing touch to the meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas dinner, rib eye steak, twice baked potatoes, asparagus, steak sauce, holiday meal, dinner for two
