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Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles are sweet, savory, and packed with garlic, ginger, ground beef, and glossy noodles for dinner tonight.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 29 minutes
Course dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Asian-Inspired / American-Chinese
Servings 4
Calories 520 kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet or wok
  • Medium pot for boiling noodles
  • Colander
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients
  

For the Noodles

  • 8 ounces noodles lo mein, ramen, spaghetti, or rice noodles
  • Water for boiling
  • Pinch of salt

For the Beef

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
  • 4 green onions sliced

For the Sauce

  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

Optional Garnishes

  • Sesame seeds
  • Extra green onions
  • Chili oil
  • Fresh cilantro

Instructions
 

Step 1: Cook the Noodles

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Cook the noodles according to package instructions until just tender. Don’t overcook them because they’ll continue cooking slightly in the sauce later.
  • Drain the noodles and set aside.
  • I like tossing them with a tiny drizzle of sesame oil so they don’t stick together while I prepare the beef.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

  • In a small bowl, whisk together:
  • Soy sauce
  • Brown sugar
  • Beef broth
  • Hoisin sauce
  • In another tiny bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until smooth.
  • Set both aside.
  • The cornstarch mixture helps create that glossy sauce texture that clings perfectly to the noodles.

Step 3: Cook the Ground Beef

  • Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  • Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
  • This usually takes about 6–8 minutes.
  • Once browned, drain excess grease if necessary.
  • I personally leave a little behind because it adds flavor to the sauce.

Step 4: Add Garlic and Ginger

  • Add the minced garlic and ginger to the beef.
  • Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Your kitchen will smell incredible at this point. That warm garlic-ginger aroma is one of my favorite cooking smells ever.

Step 5: Add the Sauce

  • Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet.
  • Stir well and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
  • Then add the cornstarch slurry and stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly.
  • The sauce should become glossy and rich instead of watery.

Step 6: Toss in the Noodles

  • Add the cooked noodles directly into the skillet.
  • Use tongs or a spoon to toss everything together until every noodle is coated in sauce.
  • Add green onions and red pepper flakes if using.
  • Cook for another 1–2 minutes.

Step 7: Serve Hot

  • Serve immediately while hot and glossy.
  • Top with:
  • Sesame seeds
  • Extra green onions
  • Chili oil if you love heat
  • And trust me — don’t forget the extra napkins. These noodles are gloriously messy.
Keyword Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles