Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

A quick, savory, and slightly sweet noodle dish packed with bold flavor. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup beef broth
1/3 cup soy sauce
3 tbsp hoisin sauce
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
10 oz linguine
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
4 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Brown the Beef
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
Add Aromatics & Sauce
Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, ground ginger, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well.
Thicken the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water until smooth.
Pour into the skillet and stir. Bring to a gentle boil and let the sauce thicken (about 2–3 minutes).
Combine with Noodles
Add the cooked linguine to the skillet. Toss until the noodles are evenly coated in the sauce. Let it simmer for another 2–3 minutes to meld flavors.
Garnish and Serve
Top with sliced green onions and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

Add steamed broccoli, snap peas, or shredded carrots for extra veggies.
Swap linguine with rice noodles, udon, or even ramen for different textures.
Want it spicy? Increase the red pepper flakes or add a drizzle of chili oil.

Flavor-Boosting Tips:

Use Fresh Ginger & Garlic
Replace ground ginger with freshly grated ginger for a brighter, more vibrant flavor. Likewise, use freshly minced garlic over jarred or pre-minced.
Toast Your Garlic First
Let the garlic sizzle in a bit of oil before adding the beef. This enhances its flavor and creates a deeper aromatic base.
Caramelize the Beef Slightly
Let the ground beef sit undisturbed in the pan for a few moments before stirring to get a caramelized crust for more depth of flavor.

🍜 Texture & Noodle Tips

Undercook Pasta Slightly
Cook your linguine 1 minute less than al dente, as it will continue cooking when tossed with the hot sauce, preventing mushy noodles.
Toss with a Bit of Sesame Oil
A drizzle of toasted sesame oil at the end adds a delicious nutty aroma and prevents noodles from sticking together.
Add a Crunch Factor
Top with toasted sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, or crispy fried onions for a fun crunch.

🥦 Add-Ons for Nutrition & Color

Incorporate Veggies
Stir-fry or steam veggies like:
- Broccoli florets
- Snap peas
- Julienned carrots
- Bell peppers
- Mushrooms
  This makes the dish more colorful and balanced.
Fresh Herbs for Brightness
Add a handful of chopped cilantro, Thai basil, or mint just before serving for a fresh burst of flavor.

🌶️ Adjusting Sweetness & Heat

Balance Sweetness
If the brown sugar makes it too sweet for your taste, reduce it to 1/4 cup or add a splash of rice vinegar or lime juice for acidity to cut through the sweetness.
Make it Spicier
Want it hot? Add:

More red pepper flakes
A spoonful of chili garlic sauce
A dash of sriracha or gochujang

🧂 Elevate the Umami

Add Umami Boosters
Stir in a splash of:

Fish sauce (a little goes a long way!)
Oyster sauce for richer depth
Dark soy sauce for color and deeper flavor

🥢 Presentation Tips

Serve in a Warm Bowl
Warm bowls help keep the noodles hot and delicious while serving.
Top with Garnishes
Try:

Green onions
Toasted sesame seeds
A soft-boiled egg
A squeeze of lime

Would you like a variation for vegetarian, gluten-free, or low-carb diets?

❓ 1. What kind of noodles should I use?

A: Linguine is great, but you can also use spaghetti, ramen, udon, lo mein, or even rice noodles. Just make sure they’re not overcooked — they’ll soak up the sauce!

❓ 2. Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?

A: Yes! Ground turkey or chicken are excellent lean alternatives. Just note that they have less fat, so add a touch of sesame oil or hoisin for richness.

❓ 3. Is Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles spicy?

A: Not by default — it’s usually sweet and savory. But you can make it spicy by adding red pepper flakes, chili paste, or sriracha.

❓ 4. Can I make this dish ahead of time?

A: Yes, it reheats well. Store it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.

❓ 5. Can I freeze Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles?

A: You can freeze it, but the noodles may soften or break when reheated. For best results, freeze the beef sauce separately and cook fresh noodles when serving.

❓ 6. What vegetables go well in this dish?

A: Popular add-ins include:

Broccoli
Snap peas
Carrots
Bell peppers
Baby spinach
Mushrooms

They balance the richness and add color and crunch.

❓ 7. How can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

A: Cut the brown sugar to 2–3 tablespoons or substitute with honey or coconut sugar. You can also balance sweetness with lime juice or rice vinegar.

❓ 8. Is this dish gluten-free?

A: Not as written — soy sauce and hoisin sauce often contain gluten. Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce and check for GF hoisin sauce. Also swap linguine for gluten-free noodles or rice noodles.

❓ 9. Can I make it vegetarian?

A: Yes! Replace ground beef with:

Crumbled tofu
Tempeh
Plant-based ground “beef”
Even finely chopped mushrooms (for a meaty texture)

Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.

❓ 10. What side dishes go well with it?

A: Great sides include:

Steamed or stir-fried vegetables
Egg rolls or spring rolls
Cucumber salad
Miso soup
Dumplings

Let me know if you’d like this in a printable FAQ sheet or included in a recipe blog format!