If you’re craving a dish that’s packed with flavor, textures, and comforting goodness, look no further than Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef. This dish, inspired by the bold, savory flavors of Mongolian cuisine, combines tender noodles, seasoned ground beef, and vibrant vegetables—all brought together with a mouthwatering sauce. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a dish to impress your guests, Mongolian noodles with ground beef is versatile, easy to prepare, and guaranteed to satisfy.

In this article, we will guide you through the preparation of Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef with detailed instructions, ingredient measurements, tips for perfecting the dish, and more!

Ingredients for Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef

Before you get started, gather the following ingredients:

the Noodles:

8 oz. egg noodles (or any other long noodles like udon or spaghetti)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for boiling the noodles)

the Beef:

1 lb (450g) ground beef (preferably lean)
1 tablespoon soy sauce (for marinating the beef)
1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional for flavor)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger

the Sauce:

1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (for sweetness)
2 tablespoons oyster sauce (adds umami depth)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar (for acidity)
2 teaspoons brown sugar (balances the savory and sweet flavors)
1/2 cup beef broth (or water, but broth will add more depth of flavor)
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
2 teaspoons cornstarch (for thickening)

the Vegetables:

1/2 cup sliced carrots (thin julienned strips)
1/2 cup bell pepper (sliced into thin strips)
2 green onions (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tablespoon fresh ginger (minced)
1/4 cup thinly sliced mushrooms (optional)

Garnish:

Sesame seeds (optional)
Additional green onions (for garnish)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Noodles

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
Once the water is boiling, add your egg noodles and cook according to the package instructions (usually about 5-7 minutes for egg noodles).
Drain the noodles, rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process, and set them aside. Drizzling a small amount of sesame oil over the noodles can help prevent them from sticking together as they rest.

Cook the Ground Beef

In a large skillet or wok, heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula or wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the beef is browned and fully cooked through.
Once cooked, add the soy sauce, sesame oil (if using), garlic powder, and ground ginger to the beef. Stir well to coat the meat with the seasoning. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside on a plate. You can leave some of the rendered fat in the pan to cook the vegetables, which will enhance the flavor.

Cook the Vegetables

In the same skillet, add a little more oil if necessary. Heat over medium-high heat.
Add the carrots, bell pepper, mushrooms (if using), and cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. Add the garlic and ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
Toss in the green onions and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. The vegetables should still have a slight crunch to them for the best texture in the dish.

Prepare the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, beef broth, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
In another small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to form a slurry.
Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the vegetables. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
Add the cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon.

Combine the Noodles, Beef, and Sauce

Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet with the sauce and vegetables. Stir everything together until well combined.
Add the cooked noodles to the skillet, tossing everything until the noodles are fully coated with the sauce and evenly mixed with the beef and vegetables. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat the noodles through.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding a little more soy sauce or vinegar to balance the flavors to your liking.

Helpful Tips for Perfecting Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef

Noodle Choice: While egg noodles are the most common choice, feel free to use other types of noodles like rice noodles, soba, or even spaghetti. Just ensure that the noodles you choose have a similar texture and cooking time to the egg noodles for the best result.
Ground Beef Alternatives: You can swap out ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or pork, depending on your dietary preference or what you have on hand.
Vegetable Variations: Feel free to play around with vegetables. Snow peas, broccoli, baby corn, or even spinach can be added to enhance the dish’s flavor and texture.
Sauce Customization: Adjust the sweetness and saltiness by modifying the amount of hoisin and soy sauce. If you prefer more heat, increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a bit of chili paste.
Ginger and Garlic: Fresh garlic and ginger will provide the best flavor, but you can use powdered versions in a pinch. Just remember that the fresh versions pack a stronger punch.

Conservation and Storage

Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef is an excellent dish for meal prep or leftovers. Here’s how to store it:

Refrigeration: Once cooled, store any leftover noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: While the noodles may lose some texture after freezing, you can freeze the dish for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove with a splash of broth to loosen up the sauce.
Reheating: To reheat the noodles, add a small amount of broth or water to the pan to help rehydrate the noodles and sauce.

Variations of Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef

Vegetarian Mongolian Noodles: Skip the ground beef and replace it with tofu or tempeh. Marinate the tofu in soy sauce for added flavor before cooking.
Spicy Mongolian Noodles: For those who love spice, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a tablespoon of chili paste or sriracha to the sauce.
Mongolian Beef with Shrimp: Swap out the beef for shrimp for a lighter version of the dish. Shrimp cooks quickly, so be sure to add it near the end of the vegetable cooking time.
Gluten-Free Mongolian Noodles: If you follow a gluten-free diet, substitute soy sauce with tamari and ensure you’re using gluten-free noodles.

Serving Suggestions

Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef can be served as a stand-alone dish or paired with a variety of sides. Here are a few serving ideas:

Steamed Dumplings: Serve alongside steamed vegetable or pork dumplings for a traditional Asian-inspired meal.
Stir-Fried Vegetables: A side of stir-fried greens like bok choy or spinach works well to balance the richness of the noodles.
Rice: If you prefer extra carbs, serve the noodles alongside a bowl of steamed jasmine rice or fried rice.

You can also top the dish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and additional chopped green onions for added texture and freshness.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use a different type of meat? Yes! Feel free to use ground turkey, chicken, or pork. The cooking method will remain the same.

2. Can I make this dish ahead of time? Absolutely! You can prepare the noodles, beef, and vegetables ahead of time and store them separately. When ready to eat, simply heat everything up and combine with the sauce.

3. Is this dish spicy? The dish is mildly spicy with the option to add more heat with crushed red pepper flakes. You can adjust the level of spice according to your taste.

Conclusion

Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef is a delicious, customizable dish that combines rich, savory flavors with the perfect balance of textures. Whether you’re preparing it for a busy weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your home. Its versatility allows you to adapt it to various dietary needs and flavor preferences, making it a dish everyone can enjoy.

Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef

Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Description

This quick and flavorful Mongolian noodle dish combines tender ground beef with a sweet and savory soy-based sauce, tossed with your favorite noodles. A perfect weeknight meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients

Scale

8 oz noodles (lo mein, spaghetti, or rice noodles)
1 lb ground beef
2 tbsp vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece ginger, grated
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup beef broth (or water)
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tsp sriracha (optional for heat)
½ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for thickening)
½ cup green onions, chopped
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

Cook the noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
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 apart. Drain excess fat if needed.
Add aromatics: Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, beef broth, hoisin sauce, sriracha, and black pepper. Pour into the skillet.
Thicken the sauce: Mix cornstarch and water, then stir it into the sauce. Let simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened.
Combine everything: Add cooked noodles to the skillet, tossing well to coat with the sauce. Stir in green onions and sesame oil.
Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and enjoy hot!

Notes

Substitute chicken, turkey, or tofu for ground beef.
Add veggies like bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli for extra crunch.
Adjust spice level by increasing or omitting sriracha.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stir-Fry
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Keywords: Mongolian noodles, ground beef noodles, easy Asian recipes