A quick, savory, and budget-friendly dish inspired by classic Mongolian flavors — perfect for busy weeknights!
📝 Recipe Description
Craving bold takeout flavor without the delivery fee? These Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles deliver on all fronts — sweet, savory, garlicky, and satisfying, all in under 30 minutes. This recipe is inspired by the traditional Mongolian beef, but we’ve swapped the pricey steak for ground beef and tossed it with noodles for a comforting, slurpable twist.
Sticky soy sauce glaze coats every strand of noodle and bite of beef, while fresh green onions add a pop of color and freshness. It’s quick, customizable, and perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or when you're simply craving some Asian-inspired comfort food.
🧾 Ingredients (measured in grams)
For the Mongolian Ground Beef:
- Ground beef (85–90% lean) – 500g
- Garlic cloves (minced) – 15g
- Fresh ginger (grated) – 10g
- Soy sauce – 60g
- Dark soy sauce (for color, optional) – 15g
- Brown sugar – 60g
- Cornstarch – 10g
- Water – 120g
- Sesame oil – 10g
- Vegetable oil – 15g
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional) – 1g
- Green onions (sliced) – 30g
For the Noodles:
- Dried lo mein or spaghetti noodles – 250g
- Salt (for boiling water) – as needed
👨🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Noodles
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
- In a large skillet or wok, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks (about 5–6 minutes).
- Drain excess fat if needed.
Step 3: Add Aromatics
- Push the beef to one side and add sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.
- Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Mix everything together.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, dark soy sauce (if using), brown sugar, water, and cornstarch.
- Pour the sauce into the beef mixture.
- Stir and cook for 2–3 minutes until thickened and glossy.
Step 5: Combine
- Add cooked noodles to the skillet.
- Toss well to coat in the sauce.
- Stir in green onions and red pepper flakes (if using).
Step 6: Serve
- Serve immediately, garnished with more green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
🍽️ Nutrition Facts (per serving, serves 4)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Protein: 26g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Sugar: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 960mg
Note: Nutrition values are approximate and depend on noodle type and beef fat content.
💡 Tips & Tricks
- Swap your noodles: Ramen, rice noodles, or even udon all work great.
- Lean it up: Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Make it spicy: Add sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or extra pepper flakes for more heat.
- Meal prep: This dish keeps well in the fridge for 3–4 days and reheats beautifully.
- Add veggies: Toss in shredded carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas for color and crunch.
🌟 From the Chef – A Personal Note
This is one of those recipes I reach for when time is tight and cravings are high. It’s so easy to make, yet tastes like something from a noodle bar. The sweet-savory sauce with that hint of garlic and ginger is utterly addictive, and even picky eaters love it. You can dress it up with veggies or keep it simple — either way, it’s a winner.
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