Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This dish delivers bold flavor with minimal effort. The rich umami sauce, combined with juicy ground beef and slurp-worthy noodles, makes it a family favorite. It’s affordable, easy to customize, and made with pantry staples—no fancy ingredients required. Plus, it reheats beautifully for leftovers or meal prep.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Ground beef
• Garlic, minced
• Fresh ginger, grated
• Low-sodium soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Hoisin sauce (optional, for richness)
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Cooked noodles (ramen, spaghetti, or lo mein)
• Green onions, sliced
• Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Sesame oil (optional, for depth of flavor)
• Vegetable oil (for cooking)

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce (if using), cornstarch, and water. Stir until smooth and set aside.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
4. Add garlic and ginger to the skillet and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet and stir well. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened and glossy.
6. Add cooked noodles to the pan and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
7. Stir in green onions and red pepper flakes, and drizzle with sesame oil if using.
8. Serve hot, garnished with extra green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Servings and timing

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes

Variations

• Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
• Add steamed broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers for extra veggies.
• Swap noodles for rice or cauliflower rice for a lower-carb version.
• Top with a fried or soft-boiled egg for added richness.
• Stir in chili garlic sauce for extra heat and depth.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or soy sauce to loosen the noodles. This dish also freezes well for up to 2 months—thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

FAQs

What kind of noodles work best?

Lo mein, ramen, spaghetti, or egg noodles all work well in this dish. Use whatever you have on hand.

Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free soy sauce (or tamari) and gluten-free noodles to keep it gluten-free.

Is hoisin sauce necessary?

No, but it adds extra richness and depth. You can leave it out or substitute with oyster sauce.

How can I make it spicier?

Add red pepper flakes, sriracha, or chili garlic sauce to the sauce or at the end of cooking.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely. Use a larger pan and double all ingredients accordingly.

Can I use frozen ground beef?

Yes, just thaw it fully before cooking to ensure even browning.

Do I need to drain the beef?

If there’s a lot of grease, draining helps keep the dish from being too oily.

Can I prep this ahead of time?

Yes, cook the beef and sauce ahead, store separately from noodles, and combine when ready to eat.

What’s a good side dish?

Steamed veggies, a cucumber salad, or egg rolls make great pairings.

Does this taste like takeout?

Yes! It delivers that sweet-savory, garlicky flavor profile similar to classic Mongolian beef dishes.

Conclusion

Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles is the ultimate weeknight dinner: fast, flavorful, and endlessly satisfying. With a rich, sticky sauce, tender beef, and noodles in every bite, this dish brings big takeout flavor to your kitchen with minimal fuss. It’s sure to earn a regular spot on your dinner rotation.

Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

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Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles is a quick, budget-friendly one-pan meal with ground beef, noodles, and a sweet-savory Mongolian-inspired sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

1. 1 lb ground beef
2. 2 garlic cloves, minced
3. 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
4. 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
5. 1/4 cup brown sugar
6. 2 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional)
7. 1 tbsp cornstarch
8. 1/2 cup water
9. 12 oz cooked noodles (ramen, spaghetti, or lo mein)
10. 4 green onions, sliced
11. 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
12. 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
13. 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking)

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Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce (if using), cornstarch, and water. Set aside.

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add garlic and ginger, sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Stir in the sauce mixture and simmer 2–3 minutes until thickened.
5. Add cooked noodles and toss to coat evenly.
6. Stir in green onions, red pepper flakes, and sesame oil if desired.
7. Serve hot, garnished with extra green onions or sesame seeds.

Notes

• Lo mein, ramen, or spaghetti noodles all work well—use what you have.
• Add broccoli, snap peas, or peppers for extra veggies.
• Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
• Top with a fried egg for richness.
• For spicier flavor, add chili garlic sauce or extra red pepper flakes.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 13g
• Sodium: 980mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 65mg