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A close-up of Mongolian ground beef noodles in a bowl, showing the savory sauce and tender beef.

Speedy Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

This quick and easy recipe features savory ground beef and tender noodles coated in a rich, sweet, and spicy Mongolian-style sauce, perfect for a weeknight meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef
  • 8 oz (225g) egg noodles or ramen noodles
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or other neutral oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
Mongolian Sauce
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce low sodium preferred
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Garnish (Optional)
  • Sliced green onions for garnish
  • Toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet or wok
  • Medium bowl
  • Small bowl

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook noodles according to package directions until al dente and drain.
  2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, add ground beef, and cook until browned, then drain any excess fat.
  3. Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan with the beef and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  4. Whisk together soy sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a bowl, then dissolve cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of cold water in a separate small bowl.
  5. Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet, bring to a simmer, then slowly stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened and glossy.
  6. Add the cooked noodles to the skillet with the sauce and beef, tossing until fully coated.
  7. Divide the noodles into bowls, garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level. For a richer flavor, you can marinate the ground beef in a tablespoon of soy sauce for 15 minutes before cooking. This recipe is easily customizable with added vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers for extra nutrients and crunch.