Perfect weeknight Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles recipe that delivers restaurant-quality flavor without the wait!
Key Takeaways:
- Ready in 30 minutes with simple pantry staples
- Budget-friendly twist on classic Mongolian beef
- Sweet-savory sauce that clings to every bite
- Makes 4 generous portions with easy leftovers
Skip Takeout Tonight!
Craving that sweet-savory Mongolian beef flavor but short on time? This Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles recipe is your new secret weapon. By swapping traditional sliced beef for ground beef, you cut prep time in half while keeping all that amazing flavor. The sauce in this Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles dish hits all the right notes – sweet, savory, and with just enough kick to make your taste buds happy.
I used to order Mongolian beef weekly until my wallet started complaining. Now I make this Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles at home in less time than delivery takes. My family can’t tell the difference!
Nutrition Comparison
| Nutrient | Homemade Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles | Restaurant Version |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 450 per serving | 850+ per serving |
| Sodium | 720mg | 1500+mg |
| Sugar | 15g | 28g |
| Fat | 18g | 32g |
| Protein | 28g | 26g |
| Cost | $2.75 per serving | $12+ per serving |
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| For the Sauce | ||
| Low-sodium soy sauce | 1/2 cup | Reduced sodium prevents dish from being too salty |
| Brown sugar | 1/4 cup | Light or dark both work fine |
| Hoisin sauce | 3 tablespoons | Adds depth and sweetness |
| Minced garlic | 2 tablespoons | About 6 fresh cloves or jarred |
| Ground ginger | 1 teaspoon | Or 1 tablespoon fresh grated |
| Red pepper flakes | 1/2 teaspoon | Optional for heat |
| For the Dish | ||
| Lean ground beef | 1 pound | 80/20 works best |
| Rice noodles or lo mein | 12 ounces | Rice noodles for gluten-free option |
| Green onions | 3 stalks | Sliced, whites and greens separated |
| Vegetable oil | 2 tablespoons | For cooking beef |
| Sesame seeds | 1 tablespoon | Optional garnish |
Kitchen Tools
| Tool | Notes |
|---|---|
| Large skillet or wok | 12-inch or larger works best |
| Medium pot | 4-quart size for noodles |
| Measuring cups | For accurate sauce ratios |
| Measuring spoons | For spices and smaller amounts |
| Sharp knife | Chef’s knife preferred |
| Cutting board | Plastic recommended for meat safety |
| Colander | For draining noodles |
| Small mixing bowl | For sauce preparation |
| Wooden spoon | For breaking up ground beef |
| Timer | Phone or kitchen timer |
| Instant-read thermometer | Optional but helpful for beginners |
Quick Facts
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Dietary Notes: Can be made gluten-free with rice noodles
Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions for Beginners
Before You Begin (5 minutes)
- Read through the entire recipe twice
- Gather all ingredients on counter
- Set up all equipment
- Place a damp towel under cutting board to prevent slipping
- Fill pot with water but don’t turn on heat yet
Sauce Magic (5 minutes)
- Find a small mixing bowl (2-cup capacity)
- Measure ingredients carefully:
- Pour 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce into bowl
- Add 1/4 cup brown sugar
- Add 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- Add 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- Add 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- Add red pepper flakes if desired
- Whisk everything together until sugar dissolves
- Taste a tiny amount with clean spoon – it should be balanced between sweet and salty
- Set aside where you won’t knock it over
Prep Work (5 minutes)
- Rinse green onions under cold water
- Pat dry with paper towel
- Cut off root ends (about 1/4 inch)
- Trim any wilted green tops
- Slice remaining parts into thin rings (1/8 inch thick)
- Separate white and green parts into two small piles
- Set both aside for later use
Similar to my Asian-Style Ground Beef Spaghetti, this recipe uses simple ingredients but packs big flavor.
Noodle Cooking (8-10 minutes)
- Place medium pot on stove
- Turn heat to high
- Add 1 tablespoon salt to water
- Wait for full rolling boil (big bubbles)
- Add noodles carefully to prevent splashing
- Start timer according to package directions
- Stir once or twice during cooking
- Test one noodle when timer goes off
- When done:
- Place colander in sink
- Hold colander with one hand while draining
- Be careful of steam!
- Rinse noodles briefly with cold water
- Toss with 1 teaspoon oil to prevent sticking
- Set aside within reach of your cooking area
Beef Magic (7-8 minutes)
- Place large skillet on stove
- Turn heat to medium-high
- Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Heat oil for 1 minute until it shimmers
- Add ground beef to pan
- Break beef into small pieces with wooden spoon
- Stir occasionally while cooking
- Cook until no pink remains (about 5-7 minutes)
- Check temperature if you have thermometer (should reach 160°F)
- If you see excess fat:
- Tilt pan slightly
- Push meat to high side
- Soak up extra fat with paper towels
- Use tongs to hold paper towels for safety
Bringing It All Together (5-7 minutes)
- Keep heat at medium-high
- Add white parts of green onions to beef
- Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant
- Pour sauce mixture over beef
- Stir immediately to coat beef
- Let bubble for 2-3 minutes until thickened
- The sauce should coat the back of a spoon
- Add cooked noodles in batches while stirring
- Use tongs to incorporate noodles with sauce
- Toss everything together for 2 minutes
- Turn off heat
- Let stand 2 minutes for flavors to meld
- Garnish with reserved green onion tops
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds if using
If you’re a fan of hearty ground beef dishes, you might also like my Ground Beef Stroganoff for another quick weeknight option.
Troubleshooting Guide
Problem: Sauce too thin
- Solution: Simmer 2-3 minutes longer
- Solution: Mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water and stir in
Problem: Noodles clumping together
- Solution: Rinse again with warm water
- Solution: Toss with additional teaspoon of oil
- Prevention: Stir noodles occasionally while cooking
Problem: Beef too dry
- Solution: Add 2 tablespoons water to pan
- Prevention: Use 80/20 ground beef instead of leaner cuts
- Prevention: Don’t overcook
Problem: Too salty
- Solution: Add 1 tablespoon water and 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- Prevention: Use low-sodium soy sauce
- Prevention: Reduce soy sauce to 1/3 cup next time
Problem: Not enough flavor
- Solution: Add 1 more tablespoon hoisin sauce
- Solution: Add 1/2 teaspoon more ginger
- Solution: Let sit for 5 minutes before serving
Variations & Substitutions
Protein Options
- Ground turkey (use 93% lean for best flavor)
- Ground chicken (add 1 tablespoon oil when cooking)
- Ground pork (reduce hoisin sauce by 1 tablespoon)
Noodle Swaps
- Spaghetti (cook 1 minute less than package directions)
- Linguine (works well with the sauce)
- Ramen noodles (discard seasoning packet)
Heat Level Adjustments
- Mild: Omit red pepper flakes
- Medium: Use recipe as written
- Spicy: Add 1 tablespoon sriracha to sauce
Veggie Add-ins
- Broccoli florets (steam separately, add at end)
- Sliced carrots (add with white parts of green onions)
- Snow peas (add in last 2 minutes of cooking)
For cheese lovers, you might enjoy my Beef Queso Mac and Cheese as another comforting ground beef option.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator Storage
- Cool completely before storing
- Place in airtight container
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Store sauce and noodles separately if possible
Freezing (Not Ideal)
- Not recommended for noodles (they become mushy)
- Sauce and beef can be frozen for up to 2 months
- Thaw overnight in refrigerator
Reheating Instructions
Microwave Method:
- Place in microwave-safe bowl
- Add 1 tablespoon water
- Cover with microwave-safe lid or paper towel
- Heat 1 minute
- Stir
- Heat additional 30-second intervals until hot
Stovetop Method (Best):
- Place in skillet over medium heat
- Add 2 tablespoons water
- Cover with lid
- Heat 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Add splash more water if needed
Safety Notes & Tips
Food Safety
- Ground beef must reach 160°F internal temperature
- Don’t taste sauce after it touches raw meat
- Wash hands after handling raw beef
- Use separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
Kitchen Safety
- Turn pot handles away from edge of stove
- Use oven mitts when handling hot pots
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby
- Be careful of steam when draining noodles
- Have a clean, dry towel nearby for spills
Beginner Tips
- Prep all ingredients before turning on heat
- Keep recipe nearby where you can see it
- Set timers for each step
- Taste and adjust seasonings gradually
- Clean as you go to avoid overwhelming mess
Final Pro Tips
- Serve in warm bowls to keep food hot longer
- Pair with simple cucumber salad for fresh contrast
- For extra flavor, toast sesame seeds in dry pan first
- Let everyone add their own garnishes at the table
- Chopsticks make eating noodles more fun!
This recipe makes 4 generous servings and is perfect for busy weeknights when you want big flavor without spending hours in the kitchen.
