If you need a speedy weeknight dinner with a restaurant-quality twist, Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef is here to make your mealtime shine! This vibrant stir-fried noodle dish brings together tender ground beef, a bold yet silky Mongolian sauce, and noodles that soak up every flavorful drop—ready in under 20 minutes and sure to satisfy everyone at the table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast and Family-Friendly: You can get Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef on the table in under 20 minutes—perfect for busy evenings or whenever hunger strikes!
- Thick, Savory Sauce: The combination of soy, hoisin, and a touch of brown sugar creates a luscious sauce that clings to every noodle and bite of beef.
- Uses Simple Pantry Staples: This recipe comes together with ingredients you likely have on hand, yet tastes like something you’d order at your favorite takeout spot.
- Endlessly Customizable: Make it your own with different noodles, veggies, or spice levels—it’s the perfect base for your flavor adventures.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Everything in Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef works together to create that signature umami-packed flavor and comforting texture. You won’t need anything fancy—just wholesome, everyday ingredients that punch well above their weight in taste and comfort.
- Ground beef: The star of the show, bringing richness and quick-cooking heartiness. I like 85/15 lean-to-fat for great flavor.
- Soy sauce: Lends deep, salty umami—the backbone of the sauce.
- Hoisin sauce: Adds sweetness, depth, and a hint of tang; an absolute must for that Mongolian-style flavor.
- Beef broth: Lightens the sauce and helps it coat the noodles luxuriously.
- Brown sugar: Balances saltiness with a warm caramel note.
- Ground ginger: Gives bright, zesty undertones that cut through the richness.
- Garlic, minced: Brings aromatic flair and a little kick.
- Red pepper flakes: Optional, for gentle heat—add more or less to suit your taste.
- Ground black pepper: For a final pop of aromatic spiciness.
- Linguine, spaghetti, or rice noodles: Use what you have! Each noodle brings its own satisfying texture.
- Green onion (optional): For a burst of color and fresh crunch on top.
Variations
The beauty of Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef is how easy it is to adapt—make it gluten-free, sneak in more veggies, or spice it up for heat seekers. Use these ideas as inspiration and truly make this noodle bowl your own!
- Swap the Protein: Not a beef lover? Try this with ground turkey, chicken, pork, or even tofu for a vegetarian twist.
- Veggie Power-Up: Toss in bell peppers, broccoli florets, carrots, or snap peas for extra crunch, color, and nutrition.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Choose tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce, and pick gluten-free noodles for a satisfying, allergy-friendly meal.
- Adjust the Heat: Love spicy food? Double up on red pepper flakes, or stir in a spoonful of chili garlic sauce.
How to Make Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef
Step 1: Cook the Noodles
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and cook your noodles according to the package instructions. Aim for al dente—they’ll finish cooking in the savory sauce later, so don’t overdo it! Drain and set them aside, but don’t rinse (the starch helps the sauce cling perfectly).
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
While the noodles are bubbling away, set a large skillet over medium-high heat and crumble in the ground beef. Sauté until browned and no longer pink, breaking up any big clumps. Drain off extra fat if needed, then return the beef to the skillet—this step keeps your finished dish perfectly saucy, never greasy!
Step 3: Make the Mongolian Sauce
Add the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, ground ginger, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and black pepper directly to the browned beef. Give it a good stir, letting everything bubble together for a minute or two—you’ll notice the sauce begin to thicken and envelop the meat in those classic Mongolian aromas!
Step 4: Combine and Serve
Add your drained noodles straight into the skillet with the beef and sauce. Using tongs, gently toss until every noodle is glossy and coated. Pile high into bowls and sprinkle generously with sliced green onions for extra freshness. Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef are ready—time to dig in!
Pro Tips for Making Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef
- Sauce Consistency Control: If your sauce feels too thin after simmering, let it bubble for an extra minute uncovered to thicken, or toss in a handful of noodles to soak more up.
- Noodle Choice Matters: Pasta like linguine gives a lovely bite, but if you love chewy texture, try rice noodles—they’re slurp-tastic and perfect for soaking up sauce!
- Customize the Veggies: Add crisp snow peas or thin strips of red pepper right when tossing the noodles in, for color and crunch that lifts the whole dish.
- Quick Assembly: Prep and measure your sauces and aromatics before you start—the dish comes together quickly in the pan, so you’ll want everything at arm’s reach for stress-free cooking.
How to Serve Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef
Garnishes
For a fresh finish, scatter plenty of sliced green onions over your Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef. If you want a burst of nutty crunch, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds is delicious! For extra heat, serve with a little chili oil or more red pepper flakes on the side.
Side Dishes
This dish is hearty enough to shine solo, but it pairs beautifully with lightly steamed Asian greens, such as bok choy or snap peas, or a cool cucumber salad. Spring rolls or crispy egg rolls are fun for a takeout-inspired spread at home.
Creative Ways to Present
Try piling Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef into shallow bowls and nestling in extra sautéed veggies for a “noodle bar” vibe! Or serve them family-style in a big platter with toppings all around, so everyone can craft their perfect bite. Individual takeout containers (real or fun replicas!) make for an adorable themed dinner night, too.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Pack any leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate. Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef will keep beautifully for up to 3 days, making weekday lunches a breeze (and dare I say, the flavors get even deeper by the next day!).
Freezing
You can freeze this dish! Let it cool completely, then transfer to individual portions in freezer-safe bags or containers. For best texture, eat within 2 months—the noodles might soften a little, but the savory-sweet flavor is always spot on.
Reheating
Warm noodles gently in the microwave or a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce if needed. Stir well and heat just until hot all the way through, so the beef stays tender and the noodles don’t get mushy.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of noodles for Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef?
Absolutely! Linguine, spaghetti, or even traditional rice noodles all work well in this recipe. The method remains the same—just adjust your noodle cooking time according to the package and enjoy experimenting with different textures.
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Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef reheats beautifully and keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just store in an airtight container and reheat gently, adding a splash of broth if it seems a little dry.
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Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Definitely! You can stir together the sauce ingredients (soy sauce, hoisin, broth, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and black pepper) the night before and stash it in the fridge. That way, dinner assembly moves even faster.
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What can I add if I want extra veggies?
Toss in broccoli florets, julienned carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas for a veggie boost. Add them directly to the skillet after browning the beef, and cook for a couple of minutes before adding the sauce and noodles.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you’ll give Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef a try—it’s fast, satisfying, and guaranteed to bring big smiles to your table. There’s just something magical about those glossy noodles and bold flavors mingling together. Grab your chopsticks (or a fork—no judgment!), and let’s dig in to homemade cozy goodness.
Print
Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
A flavorful and easy Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef recipe that is quick to make and perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Tender ground beef cooked in a savory sauce served over noodles, this dish is sure to be a family favorite.
Ingredients
For the Mongolian Noodles:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
- 2/3 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 16 oz box of linguine, spaghetti, or rice noodles
- green onion, optional
Instructions
- Boil Water and Cook Pasta: Start water to boil and cook the pasta according to the box instructions.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef. Drain and return to skillet.
- Prepare Sauce: Add soy sauce, hoisin sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and black pepper to the skillet with the beef. Stir until combined.
- Combine Noodles and Sauce: Add drained noodles to the skillet with the sauce. Stir to coat the noodles.
- Serve: Serve the Mongolian noodles with ground beef topped with chopped green onions, if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
