Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles
A cozy, fast weeknight dish featuring tender, caramelized ground beef with glossy, brown-sugar-soy sauce-coated noodles, offering a satisfying balance of sweet, savory, and umami flavors.
Ingredients
Noodles and Sauce Ingredients
- 8 oz linguine Use gluten-free noodles if needed.
- 1 lb ground beef Lean or regular depending on preference.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup soy sauce Use low-sodium if preferred.
- 3 tbsp brown sugar Dark brown sugar will yield a richer flavor.
- 2 tbsp sesame oil Watch the oil so it doesn’t smoke.
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced White and green parts separated if desired.
- Salt and pepper to taste Soy sauce adds saltiness; adjust seasoning accordingly.
Instructions
Cooking the Noodles
- Cook the linguine according to package instructions; drain.
- Tip: Salt the pasta water well (about 1–2 tsp per quart) so the noodles absorb seasoning as they cook. For slightly firmer noodles, reduce the cooking time by 1 minute and finish cooking in the skillet with the sauce.
Preparing the Beef
- In a large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium heat.
- Tip: Watch the oil so it doesn’t smoke; sesame oil adds a toasted aroma quickly.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Tip: Break the meat apart as it cooks and let it get a little caramelized.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Tip: Add garlic after the beef is browned so it doesn’t burn.
- Add soy sauce, brown sugar, and ground ginger; mix well.
- Tip: Stir and let the sauce bubble briefly to thicken.
Combining Noodles and Sauce
- Combine the cooked linguine with the beef mixture and toss to coat.
- Tip: Use tongs or two large forks to toss the noodles thoroughly.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Tip: Always taste before adding more salt.
Serving
- Serve garnished with sliced green onions.
- Tip: Add the white parts of the green onions while cooking for more flavor.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, swap soy sauce for gluten-free tamari. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. For meal prep, portion into containers with sauce and noodles separated.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6g
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