Mongolian Beef Noodles (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1 lb ground beef
02 -
12 oz linguine pasta
03 -
4-5 garlic cloves, minced
04 -
2 cups reserved pasta water
→ Sauce
05 -
1 teaspoon ginger paste or dried ginger
06 -
¼ cup soy sauce
07 -
¼ cup brown sugar
08 -
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
09 -
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
10 -
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Thickener and Garnish
11 -
1 tablespoon cornstarch
12 -
2 tablespoons cold water
13 -
2-3 green onions, sliced (optional)
14 -
1-2 teaspoons sesame seeds (optional)
# Instructions:
01 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine pasta to al dente according to package directions. Before draining, reserve 2 cups of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
02 -
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the minced garlic, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Cook until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess grease if needed.
03 -
Stir in the ginger paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix well and let the flavors combine for about 1 minute.
04 -
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Add this slurry to the skillet and stir well. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
05 -
Add the cooked pasta and 1 cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce. Add more pasta water as needed to achieve your desired consistency.
06 -
Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately while hot. The sauce should cling nicely to the pasta without being too thick or too thin.
# Notes:
01 -
Ground turkey, chicken, or pork can be substituted for beef for different flavor profiles
02 -
Spaghetti or fettuccine work well as pasta alternatives if linguine isn't available
03 -
Reserved pasta water helps bind the sauce to the noodles and creates the perfect consistency
04 -
Adjust the amount of pasta water based on your preferred sauce thickness