This Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles such a savory and satisfying dish featuring tender noodles tossed with flavorful ground beef in a rich Mongolian-inspired sauce. Perfect for a quick, hearty weeknight dinner, this recipe balances sweet, savory, and umami flavors with a touch of spice. It’s easy to prepare and ideal for feeding a hungry family or meal prepping for the week.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s quick and simple to make, ready in just 30 minutes.
Uses pantry staples like soy sauce, brown sugar, and hoisin sauce.
Versatile enough for customizing with your favorite vegetables or noodles.
A budget-friendly meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Perfect for reheating, making it great for meal prep or leftovers.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or your favorite noodles
1 pound (450g) ground beef
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 cup green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Directions
Cook the Noodles:
Cook the noodles according to the package instructions.
Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Beef:
In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked (about 5-7 minutes).
Remove any excess fat from the skillet.
Make the Sauce:
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet with the beef.
Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
Stir in soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and hoisin sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the mixture starts to simmer.
Thicken the Sauce:
Stir the cornstarch slurry into the skillet, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Add red pepper flakes, if desired, for a hint of spice.
Combine with Noodles:
Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
Heat through for 1-2 minutes.
Serve:
Transfer the noodles to serving plates or a large dish.
Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Servings and Timing
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 450 kcal per serving
Variations
Vegetarian Option: Substitute ground beef with plant-based ground meat or crumbled tofu.
Vegetable Boost: Add sliced bell peppers, shredded carrots, or broccoli florets for extra nutrition and texture.
Spice It Up: Increase the red pepper flakes or add a drizzle of sriracha for more heat.
Noodle Swap: Use rice noodles, udon, or even zucchini noodles as a low-carb alternative.
Sauce Adjustment: For a less sweet sauce, reduce the brown sugar to 2 tablespoons.
Storage/Reheating
Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between heats.
Freezing: While not recommended for optimal noodle texture, the dish can be frozen for up to 1 month. Reheat directly from frozen in a skillet with added water.
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FAQs
Can I use a different type of ground meat?
Yes, ground turkey, chicken, or pork are great substitutes for ground beef in this recipe.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Absolutely. Use gluten-free soy sauce and gluten-free noodles to adapt the recipe.
What vegetables go well with this dish?
Broccoli, snap peas, shredded carrots, and bell peppers are all excellent additions.
How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?
Toss the cooked noodles with a little oil after draining to keep them from sticking while you prepare the sauce.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, it reheats well, making it perfect for meal prep. Just store the sauce and noodles separately for best results, combining them when reheating.
Conclusion
Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles are a delightful combination of savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavors that come together in a hearty and comforting meal. Whether you’re preparing dinner for a busy weeknight or experimenting with new twists for meal prep, this dish offers both convenience and versatility. Enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home, tailored to your taste!
📖 Recipe
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Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
A quick and savory weeknight dinner, Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles combine tender noodles, ground beef, and a rich, flavorful sauce. This 30-minute recipe balances sweet, savory, and umami flavors, perfect for a hearty family meal or meal prep. Keywords: Mongolian ground beef noodles, quick dinner recipe, hearty noodle dish.
Ingredients
Noodles and Beef
8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or your favorite noodles
1 pound (450g) ground beef
Cooking Essentials
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Aromatic Base
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
Sauce
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
Thickener
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
Optional Flavor Enhancers
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Noodles:
- Prepare noodles as per package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Beef:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef, cooking and breaking apart until browned (5-7 minutes).
- Remove excess fat.
- Make the Sauce:
- Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and ginger, stirring for 1 minute.
- Mix in soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and hoisin sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Thicken the Sauce:
- Stir cornstarch slurry into the skillet. Cook 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Add red pepper flakes, if desired.
- Combine with Noodles:
- Toss cooked noodles in the skillet, mixing until coated in the sauce. Heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Serve:
- Transfer to plates or a large dish. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Notes
Customize the vegetables by adding bell peppers, broccoli, or carrots.
Adjust the sweetness by reducing brown sugar.
For spicier noodles, increase red pepper flakes or add sriracha.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 500 kcal per slice
How many calories per serving?
Any nutritional info available? Gonna help my son make it tomorrow as a health project. We’ll rate it after we make it, thanks!
Please, Can you provide nutritional information about this recipe? Thanks
This is one of the best Recipes I’ve ever stolen from the internet!
would it taste bad if you omit the brown sugar?
I found this recipe on Facebook about a week ago and just made it tonight. This is an absolutely easy to do and delicious tasting meal idea. I did not have the hoisin sauce but Google had a whole list of substitutes. I ended up using sesame oil in its place and added broccoli to round out the whole meal. For a tasty fast delicious meal idea this is definitely something you need to try. I will definitely make this again and again. My compliments to the chef!
Thank you so much for your kind feedback on the Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles recipe! I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed it, especially with your creative use of sesame oil and the addition of broccoli. Your enthusiasm is much appreciated, and I can’t wait to hear about your future culinary adventures with this dish!
This is the second time I have made this in as many weeks at the request of my family of 7. No leftovers this time either.