Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles Recipe

Intro

Some recipes feel like they were designed specifically for busy nights when you still want something comforting, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles is one of those dishes. It’s bold, saucy, slightly sweet, and packed with savory depth — everything we love about classic Mongolian-style flavors, but made easier and more accessible using ground beef.

This recipe is a weeknight lifesaver. No slicing steak, no long marinating times, no complicated steps. Just simple pantry ingredients, a single skillet, and a pot of noodles that come together in under 30 minutes. It tastes like takeout, but better — because it’s fresh, customizable, and made right in your own kitchen.

If you love cozy noodle bowls with rich sauces and big flavors, this one belongs in your regular dinner rotation.

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What Are Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles?

Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles are inspired by classic Mongolian beef, a popular Chinese-American dish known for its glossy soy-based sauce and hint of sweetness. Instead of sliced flank steak, this version uses ground beef, which cooks faster, absorbs sauce beautifully, and keeps the recipe affordable and beginner-friendly.

The beef is simmered in a sticky, savory sauce made with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil, then tossed with tender noodles until every bite is coated. The result is a comforting, restaurant-style noodle dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in about 30 minutes
  
• Uses simple pantry ingredients
  
• Budget-friendly and family-approved
  
• Perfectly saucy without being heavy
  
• Easy to customize with vegetables or spice
  

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Ingredients

For the Noodles

• 8 oz lo mein noodles, egg noodles, or spaghetti
  
• 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water)
  

For the Ground Beef

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (optional, if beef is very lean)
  
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
  
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced or grated
  

For the Mongolian Sauce

• ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  
• ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
  
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (optional but recommended)
  
• ½ cup beef broth or water
  
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  

Optional Garnishes

• 3 green onions, sliced
  
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
  
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  

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How to Make Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

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. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess grease if needed.

Step 3: Add Garlic and Ginger

Reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the beef and cook for 30–45 seconds, stirring constantly until fragrant.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, beef broth, cornstarch, and sesame oil until smooth.

Step 5: Simmer the Sauce

Pour the sauce into the skillet with the beef. Stir well and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened and glossy.

Step 6: Add the Noodles

Add the cooked noodles directly into the skillet. Toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated in sauce.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Remove from heat and garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, or red pepper flakes. Serve hot.

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Flavor Profile

This dish hits all the right notes:

• Savory and umami-rich from soy sauce and beef
  
• Slightly sweet from brown sugar
  
• Warm and aromatic from garlic and ginger
  
• Rich and nutty from sesame oil
  

The sauce clings to the noodles perfectly, giving you big flavor in every bite.

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Best Noodles to Use

This recipe is flexible. Great options include:

• Lo mein noodles
  
• Egg noodles
  
• Spaghetti
  
• Ramen noodles (discard seasoning packet)
  

Choose what you have — the sauce works with almost any noodle.

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Tips for the Best Results

• Don’t overcook the noodles — they’ll finish cooking in the sauce
  
• Taste the sauce before adding noodles and adjust sweetness if needed
  
• Use fresh ginger for the best flavor
  
• Low-sodium soy sauce prevents the dish from becoming too salty
  

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Customization Ideas

Make it your own with easy add-ins:

• Broccoli florets
  
• Bell peppers
  
• Snow peas
  
• Mushrooms
  

For spice lovers, add chili oil or extra red pepper flakes.

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Storage and Meal Prep

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. This dish reheats beautifully and is great for meal prep.

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What to Serve With Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

• Steamed dumplings
  
• Egg rolls
  
• Simple cucumber salad
  
• Stir-fried green beans
  

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Final Thoughts

Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles is the kind of recipe that proves you don’t need complicated techniques or expensive ingredients to make something truly satisfying. It’s bold, comforting, and endlessly repeatable — the kind of dish you’ll come back to again and again.

Whether you’re cooking for family, meal prepping for the week, or just craving something saucy and comforting, this recipe delivers every time.