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I whipped these noodles up one evening when our cupboards were almost bare and takeout wasn't in the budget. I just tossed together some ground beef, pasta and whatever sauces were hanging around - and wow, my family absolutely loved it! Now my children dash to the kitchen whenever they catch that first whiff of garlic in the pan. Even my super fussy mother-in-law who rarely enjoys Asian dishes wanted to know how I made it!
Why Everyone Loves This
It's unbelievably fast to make - much quicker than waiting for delivery! The sauce turns beautifully tacky and wraps around every single noodle perfectly. My teenage boy who normally just mumbles at mealtime actually requests this dish specifically. And you can easily change it up depending on what your family enjoys. Just last week I added some broccoli and didn't hear a single complaint from the kids!
Your Shopping List
- Ground Beef: One pound of whatever's on sale
- Garlic: Don't hold back! I crush five chunky cloves
- Brown Sugar: Gives everything that wonderful stickiness
- Beef Broth: Packs in extra savory goodness
- Soy Sauce: Nothing fancy needed, supermarket brand works perfectly
- Hoisin Sauce: Check the international section, totally worth buying
- A Few Spices: Ground ginger black pepper and red pepper for some heat
- Noodles: Plain linguine does the job great
- Green Onions: To scatter over the finished dish
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Time To Cook
- Prep Your Pasta
- I always start by getting water going for the noodles. While that heats up, I begin cooking the meat. Just cook according to your pasta package but watch them carefully since soggy noodles ruin the whole dish!
- Brown Your Beef
- Heat your largest skillet and add the ground beef. Keep breaking it apart as it sizzles, my wooden spoon works wonders. Once it's completely browned, pour off any excess grease.
- Create Your Sauce
- Now comes the fun part! Drop in your garlic until it smells amazing. Then add your brown sugar, broth, all those tasty sauces and seasonings. Let everything bubble together until it gets wonderfully sticky.
- Get It Thick
- Combine cornstarch with water until smooth and pour it in. You'll be amazed how fast it thickens! My children always want to help with this step.
- Combine Everything
- Drop those drained noodles straight into the pan with all that delicious sauce. Toss everything until each noodle gets completely covered.
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Tips From My Kitchen
Always drain that beef or you'll end up with oily sauce. Make sure you keep stirring after adding cornstarch to avoid any clumps. And here's my little secret, sometimes I pour in a tiny bit of rice vinegar right at the end which really gives it that authentic restaurant flavor!
Change It Up
When we're watching what we eat I swap in ground turkey instead of beef. My sister loves tossing in some frozen broccoli right before serving as an easy veggie addition. And on adults-only nights, I go heavy on the red pepper flakes for a nice spicy kick!
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Perfect Pairings
Most nights just some basic steamed broccoli works great since the dish fills you up on its own! Sometimes I'll quickly toss together a simple salad. When we're extra hungry I'll warm up some frozen potstickers as a side dish which my kids absolutely adore.
Storing Leftovers
This dish actually warms up really well! Just toss it in a pan with a tiny splash of water to bring back the sauciness. It stays good in your fridge for several days if it doesn't vanish before then. My hubby typically takes what's left for his work lunch and his colleagues always comment on how good it smells!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I switch the noodles?
Absolutely! Spaghetti, udon, or rice noodles are great options. Just keep an eye on their cooking times so they don’t get mushy.
- → What veggies go well here?
Veggies like broccoli, snap peas, carrots, and bell peppers are awesome. Add them to the beef while cooking so they stay a little crunchy.
- → What’s the point of a cornstarch slurry?
It thickens the sauce, making it cling to the noodles better. Leave it out and your sauce might end up runny or too thin.
- → Is this dish super sweet?
The sugar in this balances the soy sauce. Not into much sweetness? You can add less brown sugar if that’s more your style.
- → Can this be made in advance?
It’s best hot, but leftovers last 2-3 days. When reheating, stir in a bit of beef broth because the noodles might soak up all the sauce.
Conclusion
A really simple pasta meal with ground beef and a sweet yet salty sauce. It’s fast, tasty, and ideal for those hectic evenings when you want something homemade.