If you love quick, easy, and flavor-packed meals, then this Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles recipe is for you! 🍜🔥 With tender ground beef, caramelized garlic-ginger sauce, and chewy noodles, this dish is a sweet and savory dream—and the best part? It’s ready in just 30 minutes!
Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or when you’re craving takeout without the wait, these noodles are better than takeout and made with simple pantry ingredients. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Better Than Takeout – Sweet, savory, and garlicky with an irresistible sauce.
✔️ Quick & Easy – One pan, 30 minutes, minimal effort!
✔️ Budget-Friendly – Uses affordable ground beef instead of steak.
✔️ Family-Friendly – A meal everyone will love, even picky eaters!
Ingredients for Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
For the Beef & Noodles:
- 12 oz noodles (lo mein, ramen, or spaghetti work well)
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece ginger, grated
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
For the Mongolian Sauce:
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup beef broth (or water)
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (adds depth of flavor)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (to thicken)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (for a nutty finish)
Optional Add-Ins:
- ½ cup shredded carrots – for extra crunch
- 1 cup broccoli or snap peas – for added veggies
- 1 tbsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce – for heat
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Cook the Noodles
- Boil a large pot of water and cook the noodles until al dente.
- Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned and crispy, breaking it apart with a spatula.
- Drain excess grease if needed.
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the beef.
- Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, beef broth, hoisin sauce, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour the sauce over the beef and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
Step 5: Toss Everything Together
- Add the cooked noodles and toss until coated in the sauce.
- Stir in green onions and sesame oil for extra flavor.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!
- Garnish with sesame seeds and extra green onions.
- Serve hot and enjoy your better-than-takeout noodles!
🍜🔥 Dig in and enjoy the sweet, savory, garlicky goodness!
Servings & Cooking Time
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: ~30 minutes
Variations & Substitutions
1. Make It Spicy 🌶️
- Add extra red pepper flakes, sriracha, or chili garlic sauce.
2. Low-Carb/Keto Option
- Swap noodles for zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
3. Extra Protein Boost
- Add scrambled eggs or tofu for more protein.
4. More Veggies
- Toss in bell peppers, shredded cabbage, or mushrooms for extra crunch.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
How to Store
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
How to Reheat
- Stovetop: Heat in a skillet with a splash of broth to refresh the sauce.
- Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use a different protein?
Yes! Swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even shrimp.
2. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Cook everything and store in the fridge, then reheat before serving.
3. What noodles work best?
Lo mein, ramen, udon, or even spaghetti all work great!
4. Can I use pre-minced garlic and ginger?
Fresh is best, but pre-minced works in a pinch!
5. Is this dish gluten-free?
Use gluten-free soy sauce and rice noodles for a GF version.
6. What’s the best way to thicken the sauce?
Let it simmer for a couple of minutes, or add extra cornstarch slurry.
7. Can I make this sauce sugar-free?
Use a sugar substitute like monk fruit or erythritol.
8. Can I freeze this dish?
Noodles don’t freeze well, but you can freeze the beef mixture and cook fresh noodles when ready to serve.
9. What’s the best way to add crunch?
Top with crushed peanuts or fried wonton strips!
10. What can I serve with this?
Pair with egg rolls, dumplings, or a simple cucumber salad.
Final Thoughts on Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
This Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles recipe is the perfect mix of sweet, savory, and garlicky flavors, all tossed with chewy noodles for an easy, one-pan meal. Whether you’re making it for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep, this dish is better than takeout and guaranteed to be a hit!
🔥 Try it tonight and enjoy a flavor-packed meal in just 30 minutes! 🍜✨
Have you tried this recipe? Let us know in the comments!