Ground Beef Mongolian Noodles Recipe

Sizzling Ground Beef Mongolian Noodles Recipe: A Tasty 20-Min Fix

Ground beef Mongolian noodles dance with robust flavors that reinvent simple ingredients into a culinary adventure.

Bold spices and tender meat create a symphony of textures that tantalize hungry taste buds.

These noodles carry deep cultural influences from traditional Asian cuisine while offering a modern twist perfect for weeknight dinners.

Rich umami notes blend seamlessly with silky noodle strands, promising a meal that satisfies from the first bite.

Home cooks adore this recipe for its quick preparation and impressive results that seem far more complex than the actual cooking process.

Saucy, savory, and supremely satisfying, these noodles elevate ground beef beyond basic expectations.

Each forkful promises a delightful journey through layers of complex seasonings and comforting ingredients.

Easy Prep for Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

Step 1: Sizzle the Ground Beef

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef.

Cook for about 5 minutes until browned, then stir in grated ginger and minced garlic during the last 2 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare Perfect Noodles

Cook the noodles according to the package instructions until al dente.

Drain them and set aside while you finish the sauce.

Step 3: Create Flavor-Packed Sauce

Drain any excess fat from the skillet with the beef.

Add brown sugar, beef broth, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using, then stir well.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to make a smooth slurry.

Pour it into the skillet and bring everything to a simmer.

Stir for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss to coat them evenly in the sauce.

Let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes so the noodles absorb all the flavor.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Spoon the noodles onto serving plates while hot.

Top with sliced green onions and enjoy right away.

Tricks for Perfect Noodles Every Time

  • Boost Meat Flavor: Brown the ground beef thoroughly to develop deep, rich caramelized notes that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
  • Control Sauce Consistency: Whisk the cornstarch slurry carefully to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, silky sauce that perfectly coats the noodles.
  • Maximize Aromatics: Sauté ginger and garlic in the last few minutes of cooking beef to release their full fragrant potential without burning.
  • Prevent Soggy Noodles: Cook noodles just until al dente and drain immediately to maintain a perfect texture that absorbs sauce without becoming mushy.
  • Balance Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes and black pepper to your personal heat preference, creating a customized flavor profile that suits your taste.

Reheating and Storing Mongolian Noodles the Easy Way

  • Store in Airtight Container: Transfer leftover Mongolian noodles to a sealed container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Properly stored, these delicious noodles will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Refrigerator Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and restore the sauce's original texture and flavor.
  • Freezer Option: Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain the best taste and texture of the ground beef and noodles.

Great Pairings for Mongolian Noodles

  • Sip Spicy Asian Brew: Pair this savory ground beef Mongolian noodle dish with an ice-cold Asian beer like Tsingtao or Asahi. The crisp, light flavor cuts through the rich, spicy sauce and cleanses your palate between bites.
  • Cool Down with Refreshing Companion: A cucumber and mint mojito provides a zesty, cool contrast to the warm, bold flavors of the noodles. Its bright, herbal notes balance the meat's intensity and add a refreshing twist.
  • Enhance with Crunchy Side: Serve alongside a quick Asian cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil. The crisp, tangy salad adds texture and provides a light, fresh counterpoint to the hearty noodle dish.
  • Complete with Fruity Finish: End the meal with a chilled lychee sorbet. Its delicate, sweet flavor acts as a smooth palate cleanser and complements the dish's spicy undertones, creating a balanced and satisfying dining experience.

Ways to Remix Mongolian Beef Noodles

  • Spicy Beef Kick: Increase red pepper flakes for extra heat and add sriracha sauce for a fiery flavor boost.
  • Vegetable Power Bowl: Mix in julienned carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli florets during the cooking process for added nutrition and crunch.
  • Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option that maintains the rich Mongolian sauce flavor.
  • Gluten-Free Friendly: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and substitute rice noodles or zucchini noodles for traditional wheat noodles to make the dish gluten-free.

Why Ground Beef Mongolian Noodles Hit the Spot

  • Speedy Flavor Explosion: Ground beef combined with ginger, garlic, and bold sauces creates an incredible taste profile that delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes.
  • Easy Weeknight Comfort: This one-skillet meal requires minimal cooking skills, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious dinner without complicated techniques.
  • Customizable Spice Adventure: Red pepper flakes allow heat adjustment, letting you control the dish's intensity while keeping the core flavors consistently delicious for different taste preferences.
  • Texture Harmony Magic: Tender ground beef, perfectly cooked noodles, and silky sauce blend together to create a satisfying meal with multiple mouth-watering textures in every single bite.

Ingredients to Get Mongolian Noodles Just Right

Protein:
  • Ground Beef: Hearty meat base that provides rich flavor and protein for the dish.
  • Beef Broth: Enhances meaty depth and helps create a savory sauce.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create caramelization.
  • Soy Sauce: Classic Asian-style seasoning that brings umami and saltiness.
  • Hoisin Sauce: Sweet and tangy sauce that adds complex flavor profile.
  • Black Pepper: Provides warm, subtle spiciness.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for adding heat and extra kick.
Noodles and Aromatics:
  • Noodles: Key base of the dish, providing texture and substance.
  • Ginger: Fresh and zesty aromatic that adds brightness to the meat.
  • Garlic: Sharp, pungent ingredient that deepens overall flavor.
  • Green Onions: Fresh garnish that brings color and mild onion flavor.
Thickening Agent:
  • Cornstarch: Helps create smooth, glossy sauce with perfect consistency.
  • Water: Used to create cornstarch slurry for sauce thickening.
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Ground Beef Mongolian Noodles Recipe

Ground Beef Mongolian Noodles Recipe


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4.6 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Mongolian Noodles bring sizzling Asian-inspired flavors right to your dinner table. Quick-cooking ground beef mingles with silky noodles, creating a savory meal that delivers bold umami notes with sweet and spicy undertones you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Meat:

  • 1 lb (454 grams) lean ground beef

Noodles:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) linguine or fettuccine noodles

Seasonings and Sauces:

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup low-sodium beef broth
  • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup hoisin sauce
  • 4 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Thickener:

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¼ cup water

Garnish:

  • 4 green onions, sliced

Instructions

  1. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and thoroughly brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles, approximately 5-6 minutes.
  2. Incorporate freshly grated ginger and finely minced garlic during the final 2 minutes of meat cooking, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
  3. Simultaneously prepare the noodles in a separate pot, following package instructions until they reach an al dente texture, typically 8-10 minutes.
  4. Carefully drain the cooked noodles and set aside, reserving a small amount of cooking water in case sauce requires thinning.
  5. Remove excess rendered fat from the skillet, leaving a thin layer for enhanced flavor development.
  6. Create the sauce by adding brown sugar, beef broth, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, freshly ground black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes, whisking ingredients until thoroughly combined.
  7. In a separate small bowl, prepare a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch (or 15 grams) with cold water until smooth and lump-free.
  8. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the skillet with the beef and sauce, stirring constantly and allowing the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce reaches a glossy, thickened consistency.
  9. Introduce the cooked noodles to the skillet, gently tossing to ensure complete and even coating with the savory sauce.
  10. Allow the noodles to rest in the sauce for an additional 2-3 minutes, enabling them to absorb maximum flavor.
  11. Transfer to serving plates and garnish with thinly sliced green onions for a fresh, aromatic finish.

Notes

  • Quick-cooking ground beef seals in robust flavors when seared at high temperature with aromatic ginger and garlic.
  • Create a silky sauce using cornstarch slurry, which transforms liquid ingredients into a glossy, restaurant-quality coating.
  • Select al dente noodles to ensure perfect texture that absorbs savory sauce without becoming mushy.
  • Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes for mild or spicy preference.
  • Balance sweet and umami profiles through strategic combination of brown sugar, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce.
  • Let noodles rest briefly after coating to maximize flavor absorption and develop richer taste complexity.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Mongolian-Chinese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 485 kcal
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 980 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 32 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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