Oh boy, have I got a weeknight dinner game-changer for you! Seriously, if you’re looking for something that tastes like you spent hours slaving away but is actually ready in a flash, you NEED to try this Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles recipe. I’m talking savory, slightly sweet, with that perfect hint of savory goodness that just coats everything. This dish has become a staple in my house because it’s just SO darn easy and always a crowd-pleaser. After years of tweaking and tasting, I’ve landed on this version that just hits all the right notes, and I can’t wait to share it with you!
Why You’ll Love This Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles Recipe
This Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles recipe is an absolute winner for so many reasons:
- Super Speedy: Seriously, from start to finish, you’re looking at about 30 minutes. Perfect for those busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table *fast*.
- Crazy Flavorful: That classic Mongolian sauce has that perfect balance of savory, sweet, and a little bit savory that just makes everything taste amazing.
- So Easy to Make: No fancy techniques here! Just simple steps that anyone can follow, even if you’re new to cooking Asian-inspired dishes.
- Versatile & Adaptable: You can tweak it easily – add more heat, swap out veggies, try different noodles. It’s super forgiving!
Ingredients for Authentic Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
Okay, let’s talk ingredients! This is where the magic starts for our amazing Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles. You’ll want to gather up these goodies to get that authentic flavor just right. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty straightforward stuff you can find at most grocery stores!
- 1 pound ground beef
- 8 ounces egg noodles, cooked
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, but I love the little kick!)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for that fresh pop!)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for a little crunch and nutty flavor!)
My biggest tip here? Use fresh ginger and garlic if you can! It makes a world of difference compared to powders. And seriously, don’t skip the oyster sauce if you can help it – it’s a secret weapon for that deep savory flavor. If you’re ever looking for other super tasty ground beef recipes, you should totally check out my Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps; they’re another family favorite!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
Alright, let’s get cooking! Making these Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles is honestly a breeze, and the steps really flow together nicely. Follow along, and you’ll have a delicious, homemade meal on the table before you know it. It’s pretty hard to mess this one up, but just in case, I’ll throw in a few little tips as we go!
Cooking the Noodles for Your Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
First things first, let’s get those noodles going. Just follow the package directions to cook them up al dente – you don’t want them mushy! Once they’re done, drain ’em well and set them aside. We’ll toss them into that yummy sauce later.
Preparing the Flavorful Mongolian Sauce
While your noodles are cooking, let’s whip up that glorious sauce. In a little bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, beef broth, that packed brown sugar for sweetness, cornstarch to thicken everything up, oyster sauce for that deep flavor, and the sesame oil and red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Make sure you whisk it all really well to get rid of any cornstarch lumps – nobody wants a lumpy sauce, right? Now, grab your skillet. Heat the oil over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, and cook it all up until nice and browned. Give it a good drain of any extra grease. Then, toss in that minced garlic and ginger and cook for just about a minute until it smells amazing. Pour that beautiful sauce you made into the skillet with the beef. Bring it to a simmer, stirring all the time, until it thickens up just right. It should be nice and glossy!
Combining and Finishing Your Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
Okay, this is the fun part! Add those cooked noodles right into the skillet with the beef and sauce. Give it all a good toss to make sure every single strand is beautifully coated. Then, just scoop it into bowls and top it off with those fresh sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. It’s so good, you might want to check out my high-protein beef pasta recipe too if you love beef and noodles!
Tips for Perfect Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles Every Time
Alright, dish heads, let’s talk about how to make these Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles absolutely *perfect* every single time. It’s not complicated, but a few little tricks I’ve picked up really make a difference. Trust me on these!
First off, don’t be scared of that cornstarch! It’s your best friend for getting that thick, glossy sauce that clings to everything. My personal rule is to really whisk it into the liquid ingredients until there are ZERO lumps. Then, when you pour it into the hot pan, keep stirring. If it’s not thickening enough, just let it simmer for another minute; the cornstarch needs that little bit of heat to do its job. I used to have a problem with thin sauce, but once I really drilled down on that whisking step and giving the sauce enough time to simmer, my Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles game totally changed. It’s way better than my old Garlic Butter Beef Recipe for sauciness, if I’m being honest!
Another little secret? Taste and adjust! Before you add the noodles, give that sauce a quick taste. Does it need more sweetness? Add a tiny bit more brown sugar. More savory depth? A splash more soy sauce or oyster sauce. Want it spicier? Toss in those red pepper flakes. Cooking is all about tasting and making it your own, so don’t be afraid to tweak it to your taste buds.
Variations for Your Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
Now, while this recipe is pretty darn perfect as is, I absolutely love how versatile these Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles are! You can totally jazz it up or tweak it to fit what you have on hand or what you’re craving.
One super easy addition is some extra veggies! Toss in some crisp broccoli florets or a handful of sliced bell peppers when you add the garlic and ginger. They add a lovely bit of color and crunch. If you’re feeling brave and want more heat, just bump up those red pepper flakes or even add a swirl of sriracha at the end. Want to switch up the protein? Ground chicken or even ground turkey would work in a pinch, though the beef gives it that classic richness.
Serving Suggestions for Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
This Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles dish is pretty much a complete meal on its own, but if you want to round it out, a light, fresh side is perfect. I love tossing in my Grilled Zucchini Chickpea Salad for a pop of freshness, or you could just serve it with some simple steamed veggies like baby bok choy or edamame. Easy peasy!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles actually taste even better the next day, all those flavors have time to meld. Just pop them into an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. They’ll be good for about 3-4 days.
When you’re ready to reheat, you have a couple of great options. You can pop them in the microwave for a minute or two, stirring halfway through, until everything is heated through. Or, if you want to get them nice and hot again, toss them back into a skillet over medium heat with a tiny splash of extra soy sauce or water to loosen things up. Makes it taste just like it did fresh out of the pan!
Frequently Asked Questions about Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
Got burning questions about making these amazing Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles? I’ve got you covered! It’s always great to get all the little details ironed out, right?
Can I use a different type of ground meat?
Absolutely! While ground beef is classic for Mongolian flavors, you can totally swap it out. Ground chicken or turkey are both great alternatives and cook up wonderfully. Just remember they might release a little less fat, so you might want to add an extra splash of oil when you’re sautéing them. It’s almost as easy as my super simple Ground Beef Cauliflower Skillet!
How can I make the sauce thicker?
If your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like, don’t fret! The easiest way is to make a quick cornstarch slurry. Just mix about a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water until it’s smooth, then stir that right into your simmering sauce. Let it bubble for another minute or two, and it should thicken right up! You can also just simmer it a bit longer, uncovered, to let some of the liquid evaporate.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Out of the box, this recipe isn’t gluten-free because of the egg noodles and soy sauce. But you can easily make it gluten-free! Just use gluten-free noodles (like rice noodles or gluten-free pasta) and swap the regular soy sauce for tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative. Easy peasy!
Nutritional Information
So, let’s talk turkey – or I guess, beef! Here’s a little peek at what you’re getting in each delicious serving of these Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles. Remember, these numbers are just estimates because every kitchen is a little different! Things like the fat content of your ground beef or even the specific brand of soy sauce can change things up a tad. But overall, it gives you a good idea!
- Calories: Around 550
- Protein: About 30g
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 50g
- Fat: Approximately 25g
- Sodium: Expect about 1200mg (soy sauce adds up!)
Share Your Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles Creations!
Okay, now that you’ve hopefully tried this incredible Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles recipe, I would LOVE to hear all about it! Did you make any fun tweaks? Did your family devour it? Drop a comment below, rate the recipe, or even share a picture on social media – tag me so I can see your amazing creations! Your feedback makes my day!
PrintMongolian Ground Beef Noodles
A quick and flavorful dish featuring savory ground beef and noodles in a rich Mongolian sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 8 ounces egg noodles
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook egg noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, cornstarch, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the beef. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.
- Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
- Serve hot, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes.
- You can substitute other types of noodles if desired.
- Ensure the cornstarch is fully dissolved in the sauce mixture to prevent lumps.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles, ground beef recipe, easy noodle dish, Asian beef noodles, quick dinner
