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Mongolian Ground Beef and Noodles

Featured in Delicious Main Dish Recipes for Every Occasion.

Cook up ground beef in a hot pan until browned and crumbly. Meanwhile, prep your noodles in another pot. Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and maybe some ginger into a sweet sauce. Pour this over the cooked beef, letting it bubble and thicken. Use a little cornstarch if you want it thicker. When the noodles are cooked al dente, drain and toss them into the beef mixture. Let the noodles soak up the flavors before finishing with sesame seeds and fresh green onion. Takes about 20 minutes total and serves four. Save a bit of noodle water if the sauce gets too thick.

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Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 05:33:02 GMT
Zoomed-in view of a bowl of noodles topped with a glossy beef sauce, green onions, and sesame seeds. Pin it
Zoomed-in view of a bowl of noodles topped with a glossy beef sauce, green onions, and sesame seeds. | chefmelt.com

Whip up this Ground Beef and Noodles Mongolian-style when you need something quick but hearty. It's just what you want after a tough day - ready fast but tastes like you slaved away forever. Even picky eaters who usually turn up their noses at new dishes can't resist this one.

Reasons To Try

This meal combines those irresistible sweet-salty notes everybody craves, and you'll have it on the table in roughly 20 minutes. That gives you extra downtime after a long workday. Go with whatever ground meat sits in your fridge, toss in any vegetables hanging around, and don't stress if you're short an ingredient - plenty of simple substitutes work perfectly well.

Ingredient List

  • Ground Beef: Turkey makes a nice substitute
  • Linguine: Any pasta type does the job
  • Pasta Water: Keep some after boiling
  • Garlic: Freshly chopped
  • Ginger Paste: Brings zing
  • Soy Sauce: Adds savory punch
  • Brown Sugar: Creates sweetness
  • Red Pepper: Optional heat kick
  • Hoisin Sauce: Gives depth
  • Black Pepper: Just a pinch
  • Cornstarch: Makes sauce thick
  • Cold Water: For cornstarch mix
  • Green Onions: Garnish on top
  • Sesame Seeds: Final touch

Cooking Steps

Prepare Noodles:
Cook pasta in water with salt until barely soft. Remember to save 2 cups of cooking water before draining - you'll want it soon.
Brown the Meat:
Toss beef and garlic into skillet over medium heat. Keep breaking meat apart as it cooks. Once fully browned, pour off any extra grease.
Mix Flavors:
Add your ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, pepper flakes, hoisin, and black pepper. Stir everything so the meat gets completely covered with the mixture.
Thicken Everything:
Combine cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl. Pour into meat mixture and let it simmer until sauce thickens up.
Combine All Parts:
Pour in one cup of your saved pasta water plus the cooked noodles. Mix thoroughly. Add extra water if it seems too sticky.
Last Touches:
Scatter green onions and sesame seeds over the top. Enjoy while everything's still hot.

Quick And Simple

Only got 20 minutes? That's plenty for this dish. Just right when you're exhausted but still want something homemade. Everything comes together in a single pan after pasta cooking, so there's hardly any cleanup. Plus it tastes just as good as restaurant food but costs way cheaper.

Pantry Friendly

Look around your kitchen - you probably already have most things needed. Got some soy sauce, sugar, and noodles? You're nearly there. Missing something? No problem. No hoisin? Just use more soy sauce with extra sugar. Out of fresh garlic? The powdered version works in a pinch.

Switch Things Up

Go for different meats like ground turkey or pork instead. Change the pasta type - anything works fine. Throw in some chopped broccoli or sliced peppers for extra nutrition. Make it hotter or sweeter depending on your taste - after all, it's your meal.

Perfect Sauce Tips

The key to smooth sauce is mixing cornstarch with cold water separately before adding to your pan. This prevents those annoying lumps. Keep stirring while it bubbles and watch the magic as it thickens. That reserved pasta water really helps create a silky texture.

A close-up of a bowl of noodles topped with seasoned ground beef, green onions, and sesame seeds. Pin it
A close-up of a bowl of noodles topped with seasoned ground beef, green onions, and sesame seeds. | chefmelt.com

Family Pleaser

This dish satisfies everyone without tons of effort. Serve it by itself or with some bread on the side. Need to feed more folks? Just add extra vegetables. Cook a bigger batch - it warms up wonderfully for tomorrow's lunch too.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What if I don’t want beef?

You can easily use turkey, chicken, or even pork. Just follow the same steps and drain the extra fat.

→ Craving more spice?

A sprinkle of chili flakes, extra black pepper, or a splash of hot sauce should do the trick. Add little bits as you go—it’s harder to tone down spice than add more.

→ How do I thicken the sauce?

Blend some cornstarch with water, add it gradually, and keep stirring. Let it simmer to thicken up fast.

→ What’s a good gluten-free option?

Go for rice noodles and swap regular soy sauce with tamari. Make sure all your ingredients fit your needs.

→ Can I skip the meat?

Absolutely. Try tofu or just load up with extra mushrooms and veggies. Season well, and the sauce can stay as it is.

→ It’s coming out dry—what do I do?

Add a splash of reserved noodle water or a bit more of the sauce. Cooking on a lower heat and stirring often can help too.

→ How can I make this travel-friendly?

Pack everything separately and combine just before eating. Bring the sauce in a small jar for an easy mix-and-heat.

→ In a rush?

Use pre-chopped veggies and quick-cooking noodles. Have your sauce mixed beforehand, and stick to one pan for an even faster prep.

→ How can I scale up the recipe?

Simply double the ingredients, but make sure you’ve got a larger pan. Keep the sauce quantities balanced and adjust cooking times as needed.

→ Want stronger flavors?

Freshly grated ginger, extra garlic, or a drizzle of sesame oil can brighten everything up. Add some toasted nuts for a crunchy garnish.

→ Noodles sticking together?

Coat them with a little oil and toss immediately after draining. Cooking to the right doneness and rinsing briefly helps as well.

→ Too sweet or salty for you?

Taste and adjust by adding water or a splash of vinegar. Cutting back on sweet sauce at the start can help too.

Conclusion

Like this? Give stir-fried beef and greens a try next time. It’s vibrant and flavorful!

Mongolian Ground Beef and Noodles

A fast noodle dish with sweet-savory beef.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes

Category: Main Dish Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Asian

Yield: 4 Servings (4 servings)

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 500g minced beef (or swap for pork, turkey, or chicken if you like).
02 340g linguine (you can also use fettuccine or spaghetti).
03 2 big cups of starchy pasta water (just save it when draining the pasta).
04 4-5 garlic cloves, finely chopped.
05 1 teaspoon of ginger paste (you could also use powdered ginger if that’s easier).
06 A quarter cup of soy sauce.
07 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar.
08 A bit of red chili flakes for some heat (up to you).
09 3 tablespoons of hoisin sauce.
10 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper.
11 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
12 Couple of spoonfuls (2 tbsp) of cold water.
13 A handful of chopped green onions for topping (optional).
14 1-2 teaspoons sesame seeds for decoration on top (optional).

Instructions

Step 01

Boil a big pot of salted water and toss in your pasta. Stir it every now and then so it doesn’t stick together. Cook until it’s firm to the bite (check the package directions for cooking time). Remember to hold onto about 2 cups of the water before you drain it.

Step 02

Get a skillet hot on medium heat and start browning the minced beef with the garlic. The two together will smell amazing. If there’s a lot of grease, drain it so the dish doesn’t get greasy.

Step 03

Add the ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, chili flakes, hoisin sauce, and pepper into the cooked beef, stirring it all up so every part is flavored.

Step 04

Stir together your cold water with the cornstarch in a little bowl until it’s smooth. Pour this mix into your skillet and let it bubble away for a few minutes, thickening into a rich sauce.

Step 05

Take 1 cup of your reserved pasta water and mix it into the skillet along with your cooked noodles. Stir them well so the pasta gets coated. If you like your sauce thinner, you can add more pasta water bit by bit.

Step 06

If you want, sprinkle your dish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for a bit of color and crunch. Serve it hot and dig in!

Notes

  1. Minced turkey, chicken, or pork work well as substitutions for beef depending on your preference.
  2. Spice lovers can up the red chili flakes for a more daring kick.
  3. For a thicker sauce consistency, try using a little more cornstarch mixed with water.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet.
  • Cooking pot.
  • Colander.
  • Mixing bowl.
  • Sharp knife.
  • Cutting board.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Gluten.
  • Soy.
  • Sesame.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~