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Delicious plate of easy Mongolian ground beef noodles with vegetables

Easy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

A quick and hearty dish combining ground beef and noodles in a sweet-savory sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Comfort Food
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 8 oz noodles (spaghetti, udon, or rice noodles) Use what you have; thicker udon holds sauce well.
  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20 works well for flavor and fat; drain excess if needed.
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch piece ginger, minced (about 1–2 tsp)
  • ¼ cup soy sauce Sub tamari to make gluten-free.
  • ¼ cup brown sugar Light or dark work; reduce for less sweetness.
  • ½ cup beef broth Or water + ½ beef bouillon cube.
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce Optional but adds depth.
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (slurry)
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes Optional; add more for heat.
  • ½ cup green onions, chopped
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds For garnish.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add noodles and cook per package directions until just tender. Drain and set aside — toss with a little oil to avoid sticking.
  2. Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, break it up and cook until browned, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  3. Push the beef to the side, add garlic and ginger, and cook until fragrant, about 30–60 seconds; do not burn.
Cooking
  1. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, beef broth, hoisin, and red pepper flakes if using. Pour the sauce into the pan with the beef.
  2. Stir the cornstarch slurry, add to the pan, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until the sauce thickens, about 1–2 minutes.
  3. Add cooked noodles to the pan and toss gently to coat evenly with the sauce. Heat through for 1–2 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat, scatter green onions and sesame seeds over the top, and serve immediately.

Notes

For lower sodium, use reduced-sodium soy sauce. For lighter dish, swap ground turkey or chicken and use low-fat broth.