Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles (Better Than Takeout)
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles recipe is fast, budget-friendly, and packed with bold sweet-savory flavor. Juicy ground beef, tender noodles, and a glossy Mongolian-style sauce come together in one pan—perfect for busy weeknights and great for leftovers.
Ingredients
For the Noodles
- 12 oz lo mein, egg noodles, or spaghetti
- Water + salt (for boiling)
For the Beef
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or lean)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (optional, if beef is lean)
Aromatics
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
Vegetables (optional but recommended)
- 1 cup green onions, sliced (white & green separated)
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ red bell pepper, thinly sliced
Mongolian Sauce
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ¾ cup beef broth or water
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional, deeper flavor)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional heat)
Slurry (to thicken)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cold water
For Serving
- Sesame seeds
- Extra sliced green onions
Instructions
1) Cook the Noodles
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook noodles until just al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Toss lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
2) Brown the Beef
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned and crumbled (5–7 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
3) Build the Flavor
Add garlic and ginger to the beef. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the white parts of the green onions and optional vegetables. Cook 2–3 minutes until slightly softened.
4) Make the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk soy sauce, brown sugar, broth, hoisin (if using), sesame oil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Pour into the skillet and bring to a gentle simmer.
5) Thicken
Stir in the cornstarch slurry. Simmer 1–2 minutes until the sauce turns glossy and thick enough to coat a spoon.
6) Toss with Noodles
Add cooked noodles to the skillet. Toss well to coat evenly. Let everything cook together for 1–2 minutes so the noodles absorb the sauce.
7) Finish & Serve
Remove from heat. Top with green onion greens and sesame seeds. Serve hot.
Pro Tips
- Too salty? Add a splash of water or broth.
- Sweeter sauce: Add 1–2 tbsp more brown sugar.
- Spicier: Chili crisp or extra red pepper flakes.
- Protein swap: Ground chicken or turkey works great.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Reheat: Skillet with a splash of water or microwave covered.
Nutrition (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: ~520
- Protein: ~28g
- Carbs: ~55g
- Fat: ~20g