A quick and flavorful weeknight dinner featuring tender noodles, savory ground beef, and a sweet-and-savory Mongolian-inspired sauce that’s ready in just 30 minutes.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the Noodles

• 8 oz (225 g) lo mein noodles, spaghetti, or linguine
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)

For the Beef

• 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 4 green onions, sliced (reserve some for garnish)

Mongolian Sauce

• ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup beef broth
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

Garnish

• Sesame seeds
• Sliced green onions
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain, toss with 1 teaspoon sesame oil (if using), and set aside.
2. Brown the beef. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add aromatics. Stir in the garlic, ginger, and most of the green onions. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Make the sauce. In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, beef broth, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sriracha (if using).
5. Thicken the sauce. Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer. Mix the cornstarch and water into a slurry, then stir it into the sauce. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
6. Combine. Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss until they are evenly coated with the sauce.
7. Serve. Garnish with sesame seeds, the reserved green onions, and red pepper flakes if desired.

Optional Add-Ins

• Broccoli florets
• Shredded carrots
• Sliced bell peppers
• Snow peas
• Mushrooms
• Baby spinach

Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 560
• Protein: 28 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fat: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months (the noodles may soften slightly after thawing).
• Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or beef broth, or microwave until heated through.

Tip: Cook the noodles just until al dente. They’ll absorb some of the sauce as they sit, helping them stay pleasantly chewy instead of becoming overly soft.