Hey there, friends!
Looking for a cozy dinner idea? You’ve hit the jackpot!
Today, I’m sharing my favorite recipe for ground beef and noodles.
It’s hearty, comforting, and super easy to whip up on a busy night.
Trust me, it’s a dish everyone in the family will love.
Let’s dive right in!
Ingredient Substitutions
Ground beef and pork can be replaced with plant-based alternatives like textured vegetable protein (TVP) or crumbled firm tofu for a vegetarian version. Use equal amounts and adjust seasoning as needed, as these options may absorb more flavor. For a leaner meat option, ground turkey or chicken can be used, though they may require additional oil for moisture.
Fresh ramen or udon noodles can be substituted with rice noodles or zucchini noodles for gluten-free diets. Cook rice noodles according to package instructions, or lightly sauté zucchini noodles to maintain texture.
Soy sauce can be replaced with coconut aminos for a soy-free, lower-sodium alternative. Use slightly more coconut aminos, as it’s less salty than soy sauce. For those avoiding soy and coconut, a mixture of beef broth and salt can provide similar umami flavors.
| Preparation Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Total Time | 40-60 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1800-2100
- Protein: 130-150 g
- Fat: 100-120 g
- Carbohydrates: 120-140 g
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (toasted sesame oil for richer flavor)
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
For the main dish:
- fresh udon noodles
- fresh ramen noodles
- 1/2 onion (finely diced)
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 lb ground beef
- dry udon noodles
- dry ramen noodles
- 2 red chilies (diced)
- 4-5 garlic cloves (minced for best aroma)
- 1.5 tbsp ginger paste
For the additions and topping:
- cornstarch for slurry
- crispy onion and garlic
- chili crunch oil (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 tbsp chili crisp (I like Lao Gan Ma)
- green onions (sliced for garnish)
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
In a bowl, combine ½ cup of beef broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, and brown sugar.
Mix these ingredients thoroughly to create a rich sauce, then set aside for later use.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
Heat two separate pans over medium heat, adding a bit of oil to each pan.
In both pans, add ½ diced onion and a couple of diced red chilies.
Stir frequently and cook until the onion and chilies begin to soften and become aromatic.
Step 3: Cook the Meats
Add 1 pound of ground pork to one pan and 1 pound of ground beef to the other pan.
Break up the meat with a spatula as it cooks.
Once the meat is mostly cooked through, add a splash of oil to each pan.
Then, add 4-5 cloves of minced garlic and 1.5 tablespoons of ginger paste to each pan.
Stir until these aromatics are fragrant and mixed well with the meat.
Step 4: Simmer with Sauce
Pour the prepared sauce equally into both pans, mixing thoroughly to ensure the meat is well-coated.
Let the mixture simmer for about 3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Meanwhile, prepare a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with a small amount of water, and add it to each pan to thicken the sauce.
Stir to combine everything smoothly.
Step 5: Add Toppings and Combine with Noodles
Add 1 tablespoon of chili crisp and chopped green onions to both pans, mixing the ingredients well.
Cook fresh ramen noodles according to package instructions in boiling water for about 1 minute; if using dry noodles, cook them according to their package instructions.
Once cooked, drain and add the noodles to both pans.
Toss the noodles with the meat and sauce until everything is well integrated.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Divide the noodles into bowls, separating the pork and beef noodles into individual servings.
Drizzle a bit of chili crunch oil over each serving for an extra kick of heat.
Finish with a sprinkle of crispy onion and garlic on top for added texture and flavor.
Enjoy your spicy Asian noodles!
