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Quick & Easy Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef

This Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef recipe brings back those warm, fuzzy feelings, but with a modern, lightning-fast twist! It’s the kind of meal that tastes like it took hours, but secretly, you whipped it up in less time than it takes to decide what to watch. Perfect for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or whenever that craving for something savory and satisfying hits!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz 8 oz wide rice noodles or lo mein noodles or lo mein noodles
  • 1 lb 1 lb ground beef You can also use ground turkey or chicken if you prefer.
  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp hoisin sauce optional
  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water Our magic potion to thicken the sauce into a luscious coating.
  • 1/2 cup 1/2 cup beef broth or water
  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 3 3 green onions, chopped For a fresh, oniony bite and a pop of color as a garnish.

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Small bowl

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Once they’re tender and ready, drain them well and set them aside. No need to rinse unless the package specifically says to!
  2. Step 2: Grab a large skillet and heat your tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook it, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s nicely browned. Once the beef is cooked, add your minced garlic and sauté for about a minute until it’s fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
  3. Step 3: Stir in the low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce (if you’re using it), beef broth, ground ginger, and those red pepper flakes if you’re going for a little heat. Give it all a good stir and let it simmer for about 3–4 minutes. You’ll start to see the sauce coming together.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until you have a smooth slurry. Pour this into the simmering sauce in the skillet and stir continuously. Cook for another minute or two until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Step 5: Add your cooked noodles and the chopped green onions to the skillet with the sauce and beef. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly until the noodles and beef are beautifully coated in that savory sauce. This is where the magic happens!
  6. Step 6: Serve your delicious Mongolian Noodles with Ground Beef hot. A sprinkle of extra chopped green onions on top is always a good idea for a fresh finish.

Notes

This recipe is so forgiving and adaptable. Feel free to play around with it! Want to add more goodness? Stir in some broccoli florets, sliced bell peppers, snap peas, or shredded carrots along with the beef in step 2. Ground turkey, chicken, or even ground pork would work wonderfully here. For a vegetarian option, try firm tofu or tempeh. If you can't find rice noodles or lo mein, spaghetti or linguine will do in a pinch. Adjust the red pepper flakes to your liking. For a milder flavor, omit them entirely. For extra heat, add a dash of Sriracha or a pinch more red pepper flakes. A drizzle of toasted sesame oil at the end adds an extra layer of nutty flavor that’s divine.