Description
This quick and delicious Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles recipe combines savory ground beef with tender linguine in a rich, sweet, and savory sauce. It’s an easy weeknight meal that’s packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 recommended)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup beef broth (low-sodium recommended)
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
- 10 ounces linguine pasta, cooked according to package directions
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 4 green onions (scallions), sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the linguine pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet (cast iron recommended) over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula, until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- Add Sauces and Seasonings: Stir in the brown sugar, beef broth, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ground ginger, ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well to combine.
- Make Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
- Thicken Sauce: Add the cornstarch slurry to the skillet with the beef and sauce mixture. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine with Noodles: Add the cooked and drained linguine to the skillet. Toss gently to coat the noodles evenly with the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately.
Notes
- Ground Beef: 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef is recommended for flavor and moisture, but you can use leaner ground beef if you prefer.
- Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar is used in this recipe, but you can substitute dark brown sugar for a richer molasses flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce is recommended to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Hoisin Sauce: Hoisin sauce adds a sweet and savory flavor to the sauce.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your preference, or omit them altogether for a milder dish.
- Pasta: Linguine is used in this recipe, but you can substitute other types of pasta, such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or even Asian noodles like lo mein or udon.
- Serving Suggestions: This dish is a complete meal on its own, but you can serve it with a side of steamed vegetables or a salad.