Craving takeout but want something quick, hearty, and made from scratch? This Easy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles recipe is the answer! Savory, saucy beef tossed with tender linguine and a punch of aromatic ginger and garlic—it’s a weeknight dinner hero that comes together in just 15 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast & Satisfying: This homemade Easy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles comes together in just 15 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute cravings.
- Better Than Takeout: All those bold, savory, and sweet flavors you love in restaurant Mongolian beef, but fresher and with your own twist!
- No Fancy Ingredients: Everything you need is a pantry staple or simple grocery grab, making dinner a breeze without extra shopping.
- Crowd Pleaser: This is a family favorite that even picky eaters clean their plates for—plus it’s easy to double for a larger gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best parts of Easy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles is how simple the lineup is—each ingredient plays its part in building layers of flavor, satisfying texture, and a fabulous finish you can see and taste.
- Lean ground beef: The speedy protein hero here! Lean beef means less grease and more saucy flavor in every bite.
- Minced ginger: Fresh, zingy, and slightly spicy, ginger is the aromatic backbone that makes the dish pop.
- Garlic: Essential for savoriness—use fresh for the best punch.
- Low sodium soy sauce: Packs major umami and saltiness, without being overly salty.
- Beef broth: Adds depth and helps create that silky noodle sauce you’ll want to slurp up!
- Brown sugar: Even just a little gives the noodles a classic Mongolian touch of caramelized, sweet flavor.
- Hoisin sauce: A must for signature Mongolian flavor—sweet, tangy, and bold.
- Red pepper flakes: For gentle warmth and a tickle of heat (add more if you love things spicy).
- Black pepper: Bumps up the background heat and rounds out the seasoning.
- Linguine noodles: Firm, slurp-able, and perfect for soaking up all the glossy sauce.
- Green onions: For garnish; they add freshness, crunch, and a pop of color.
- Toasted sesame seeds: A nutty, toasty finishing touch that makes everything extra special.
Variations
The beauty of Easy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles is how customizable it is—let your fridge or your cravings guide you, and don’t hesitate to add or swap as needed to fit your tastes or diet.
- Go Gluten-Free: Swap linguine for your favorite gluten-free pasta or even rice noodles for a celiac-friendly version.
- Vegetable Boost: Toss in chopped bell peppers, broccoli florets, or snap peas with the beef for extra crunch and color.
- Ground Chicken or Turkey: Lighten things up and use ground poultry in place of beef—you’ll still get all the saucy goodness!
- Spice Lover’s Mongolian: Double the red pepper flakes or add fresh sliced chilies for an extra fiery kick.
How to Make Easy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
Step 1: Brown the Beef with Aromatics
Start by heating your skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef, ginger, and garlic together so the meat browns and the aromatics sizzle at the same time. Use the back of your spoon to break the beef into small, craggy bits—this helps every bite soak up flavor. Once beef is cooked through, drain any fat and return the pan to the heat.
Step 2: Cook the Noodles
While the beef browns, bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Drop in your linguine and cook until just al dente, so they’ll hold up beautifully when tossed with the sauce later. Don’t forget to save a bit of pasta water in case you want a looser finish!
Step 3: Make the Sauce & Simmer
Whisk together soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, hoisin, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Pour this sweet-salty mixture over the browned beef and let it cook for about 3 minutes, letting those aromas fill your kitchen and the beef absorb all that deliciousness.
Step 4: Toss, Finish & Serve
Add drained noodles straight from the pot into the skillet with your saucy beef. Use tongs to thoroughly toss and coat every strand. Let it all simmer together for another 2 minutes, so the sauce thickens and clings perfectly. Pile onto plates and sprinkle with green onions and toasted sesame seeds for the ultimate finish!
Pro Tips for Making Easy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
- Ginger-Garlic Bloom: Sauté your minced ginger and garlic with the beef for maximum flavor infusion—don’t add them late or you’ll miss the magic.
- Sauce Consistency: If you like your Easy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles extra saucy, reserve a few tablespoons of pasta water and add as needed at the end.
- Noodle Upgrade: Toss your cooked noodles into the pan straight from the pot (don’t rinse!), so the starch helps the sauce coat every bite beautifully.
- Toasted Finish: For a real restaurant touch, toast your sesame seeds briefly in a dry pan before garnishing—they’ll become aromatic and extra crunchy!
How to Serve Easy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
Garnishes
For the yummiest finish, top your Easy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles with a generous handful of sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. If you enjoy a little color and bite, a few thinly sliced red chilies or fresh cilantro leaves make a fantastic last flourish.
Side Dishes
These saucy noodles shine with sides like crisp steamed broccoli, garlicky bok choy, or a refreshing cucumber salad. Steamed edamame or a simple miso soup round out the meal and balance the bold flavors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Try piling your noodles in individual bowls and twirling the pasta tall for a bistro-inspired look, or serve them family-style on a big platter for everyone to dig in. For a party-friendly twist, portion into small cups and top each with a tiny egg or extra sesame seeds.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Easy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles in an airtight container in the fridge—it’s ideal for quick lunches or busy nights. It’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to 3 days.
Freezing
You can freeze cooled noodles and beef in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. For the best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating—this helps the noodles hold their texture.
Reheating
To reheat, pop your leftovers into a skillet with a splash of water or broth and gently warm over low heat, tossing until noodles are hot and saucy again. The microwave works too—just cover loosely and stir halfway through to ensure even reheating.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of noodle?
Absolutely! Linguine is classic, but this recipe also works with spaghetti, rice noodles, or even ramen to soak up the sauce. Just adjust the cook time to ensure noodles are al dente.
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Is there a vegetarian option for Easy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles?
Yes—swap the ground beef for plant-based crumbles, firm tofu, or even lentils. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth, and you’ll still get loads of Mongolian flavor!
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How can I make this dish milder or spicier?
For a milder dish, simply skip or reduce the red pepper flakes. Amp up the heat by doubling them or adding chili oil when serving for a fiery kick!
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Can I prep Easy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles ahead for meal prep?
Definitely! Cook the noodles and beef mixture, then combine and let cool before portioning into containers. Just reheat with a splash of water or broth to revive that saucy goodness.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a fast, flavor-packed dinner everyone will rave about, Easy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles is it! Give it a try and don’t be surprised if this simple, satisfying dish becomes your go-to on busy nights. Enjoy every slurpy, savory bite!
PrintMongolian Ground Beef Noodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles are a simple and flavorful dish that combines savory ground beef with Asian-inspired flavors, served over tender linguine noodles. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal!
Ingredients
For the Ground Beef:
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 4 tsp minced ginger
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 6 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Additional:
- 1 12 ounce box of Linguine Noodles
- 4 green onions, diced for garnish
- Toasted Sesame Seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet, cook ground beef, ginger, and garlic until fully cooked. Drain any fat.
- Cook the Noodles: Boil water, salt it, and cook noodles according to package instructions.
- Prepare the Sauce: Combine soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, pepper, and hoisin sauce. Add to the beef.
- Combine and Serve: Mix cooked noodles with beef mixture. Cook briefly to thicken the sauce. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- You can customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Feel free to add in your favorite vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas for extra crunch and nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 65mg