Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles is a quick and flavorful dish, perfect for busy weeknights. This easy recipe combines savory ground beef with a rich, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce, all served over tender linguine noodles. With simple ingredients like soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and brown sugar, it delivers a satisfying mix of sweet and savory flavors. The dish is versatile and can be customized to suit different tastes.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (lean is best)

• 5 cloves garlic, minced

• ⅓ cup brown sugar

• ¼ cup beef broth

• ⅓ cup soy sauce (low sodium if preferred)

• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce

• ½ teaspoon ground ginger

• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

• 10 oz linguine (or other pasta like spaghetti or rice noodles)

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 2 tablespoons water

• 4 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Directions

1. Cook the Pasta:
   Cook the linguine in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Brown the Ground Beef:
   While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Once browned, drain excess fat and reduce the heat to medium.

3. Add Garlic and Aromatics:
   Add minced garlic to the beef and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then, pour in soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, ginger, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and let the flavors meld.

4. Thicken the Sauce:
   In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until smooth. Stir this mixture into the skillet and let it simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

5. Combine with Noodles:
   Add the cooked linguine to the skillet, tossing it in the sauce until well coated. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes for the flavors to absorb.

6. Garnish and Serve:
   Sprinkle sliced green onions on top and serve hot.

Nutrients

Per Serving (approximate):

• Calories: 400-450 kcal

• Fat: 20g

• Saturated Fat: 6g

• Carbohydrates: 30g

• Protein: 25g

• Sodium: 800mg

• Cholesterol: 50mg

• Sugar: 10g

• Fiber: 2g

The Ground Beef: Savory and Flavorful

The ground beef is the star ingredient in this dish, providing a savory and meaty base that pairs perfectly with the rich sauce. Lean ground beef is recommended for a less greasy result, but you can use any ground beef you prefer. As the beef browns, it takes on a deep, savory flavor that forms the perfect backdrop for the sweet and spicy sauce.

Once browned, the beef is cooked in a flavorful combination of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and spices, absorbing all the delicious flavors of the sauce. The ground beef adds protein to the dish, making it both hearty and satisfying.

The Sauce: Sweet, Savory, and Slightly Spicy

The sauce in Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. The combination of soy sauce and hoisin sauce brings a salty-sweet base, while the brown sugar adds a touch of caramelized sweetness. The ground ginger and black pepper add warmth and depth, and the optional red pepper flakes bring just the right amount of heat.

The sauce coats the beef and noodles beautifully, ensuring that every bite is bursting with flavor. It’s rich enough to cling to the noodles, but not so heavy that it overwhelms the dish. The slight kick from the red pepper flakes enhances the sweetness and saltiness of the sauce, giving the dish a perfect balance of heat and flavor.

Thickening the Sauce: The Role of Cornstarch

To achieve a rich, velvety texture, cornstarch is added to the sauce. By mixing the cornstarch with water, a smooth slurry is created that helps thicken the sauce as it simmers. This ensures that the sauce coats the noodles evenly, without being too runny or watery. The thickened sauce clings to the noodles, creating a satisfying bite with every mouthful.

Cooking the Noodles: Tender and Al Dente

The linguine noodles serve as the base for the dish, and their tender texture provides a perfect contrast to the savory beef and thick sauce. Cooking the noodles to an al dente texture ensures that they don’t become mushy when tossed in the sauce, making the dish more enjoyable.

Once the noodles are cooked and drained, they are added to the skillet with the sauce and beef. The noodles absorb the rich flavors of the sauce, making each bite a perfect mix of tender noodles, flavorful beef, and a tangy-sweet sauce.

Combining the Ingredients: Perfectly Coated Noodles

Once the noodles are added to the skillet, they are tossed in the sauce, allowing them to soak up all the flavors. Letting the dish simmer for 2-3 minutes helps the noodles absorb the sauce, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavor. The ground beef and noodles are evenly coated with the sauce, making each serving full of rich, savory goodness.

Garnishing and Serving: Fresh and Flavorful

To finish off the dish, sliced green onions are sprinkled on top, adding a fresh and vibrant contrast to the rich, hearty flavors. The green onions provide a slight crunch and a mild onion flavor that brightens the dish and balances the sweetness of the sauce.

Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles is best served immediately, either as a standalone dish or with a side of vegetables for a more complete meal. The dish can be enjoyed as is or with additional garnishes such as sesame seeds or a drizzle of extra soy sauce.

Why Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles is Perfect for Weeknight Meals

This dish is ideal for busy weeknights because it’s quick and easy to prepare, yet still offers a rich and flavorful meal. It uses simple pantry ingredients like soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and brown sugar, making it an accessible dish for most home cooks. The preparation time is minimal, and the meal comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a great choice when you need something satisfying and flavorful in a short amount of time.

It’s also a versatile recipe that can be easily adapted. You can swap the linguine noodles for rice noodles, spaghetti, or even rice if you prefer. You can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less sriracha or red pepper flakes, depending on your preference. Plus, the dish can be easily scaled up or down to serve more or fewer people, making it perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles contains approximately 400-450 calories, making it a hearty but not overly indulgent meal. With 25 grams of protein from the ground beef, it provides a good source of lean protein. The dish also contains 20 grams of fat, including 6 grams of saturated fat, coming from the beef and the cooking oil.

The carbohydrates come in at 30 grams per serving, with 1 gram of fiber and 10 grams of sugar, most of which comes from the brown sugar and hoisin sauce. The sodium content is 800mg per serving, which is moderate for a flavorful dish like this. The dish also offers small amounts of vitamin A (117 IU) and vitamin C (4mg), as well as a bit of calcium (51mg) and iron (1mg).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that combines savory ground beef, a sweet and spicy sauce, and tender noodles. With its rich, bold flavors and simple ingredients, it’s the perfect meal for busy weeknights or special occasions. Whether you serve it as a main dish or a side, this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your meal rotation. The balance of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors makes it a satisfying and comforting dish for any occasion.