Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple: You only need a handful of ingredients for this delightful ground beef and egg noodles dish. Start with a straightforward chili oil sauce and then add ground beef, cooked egg noodles, and any fresh ingredients you desire! For vegetarians, my Goat Cheese Pasta is another excellent easy option.
• Quick: This beautiful beef noodle dish can be prepared in less than 15 minutes. Although I used fresh egg noodles for this recipe, you could also opt for store-bought dry egg noodles. If you’re in search of another quick, 15-minute dinner, check out my Easy Vermicelli Noodles.
• Flavor Explosion: Everything I share must taste amazing. The look is essential, but flavor is my top priority. These beef and egg noodles are so delicious I could eat them repeatedly! If you want another flavorful dish, my sweet and sour chicken noodles are incredibly good!
• Another fantastic ground beef dish that I love is my sweet potato and ground beef skillet with cheese sauce, nduja, and fresh basil pesto—absolutely delicious!

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Chili Flakes: Any type of crushed chili flakes will work wonderfully in this chili oil sauce.
• Gochugaru Fine Powder: A type of Korean chili flakes that is smoky and mild. Any fine mild chili powder can also substitute this.
• Sesame Seeds: I use white sesame seeds, but black ones work equally well.
• Garlic: Freshly sliced garlic is ideal for this recipe—avoid garlic granules for best results.
• Ground Beef: You can use any ground beef you prefer; I recommend a 15% fat content for juiciness. For a vegan option, substitute with plant-based ground beef or grated extra-firm tofu. If you need inspiration for leftover ground beef, try my hamburger patty recipe—it’s a crowd favorite!
• Soy Sauce: Light soy sauce is preferable for its lower sodium content and brighter color compared to dark soy sauce.
• Rice Wine Vinegar: To balance flavors, include some acidity like rice wine vinegar, or opt for lemon or lime for a different twist.
• Sesame Oil: This adds a lovely nuttiness to the dish; peanut oil is also a good choice.
• Peanut Butter: Adds thickness and nuttiness—almond butter can work as well.
• Sugar: For a touch of sweetness, regular sugar, agave, honey, or maple syrup will suffice.
• Egg Noodles: I use fresh egg noodles, but feel free to use any variety you enjoy.
• Toppings: I like adding chopped cucumber, cilantro, and green onions; you could also serve alongside pak choi, tender stem broccoli, or edamame beans.

Step-by-step Instructions with Photos

1. Step 1: Heat a frying pan on medium. Add oil, chili flakes, sesame seeds, chili powder, and garlic. Stir well, then add ground beef and stir-fry for about 5 minutes until browned.
   

   

2. Step 2: In the meantime, combine soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and peanut butter to create your sauce; mix until smooth.
   

3. Step 3: Pour your soy sauce mixture into the pan along with 150ml of water. Stir well, reduce to low, and allow to simmer. Taste then season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes while the noodles cook.
   

4. Step 4: Follow the package instructions to cook your egg noodles in salted boiling water.
   

5. Step 5: Once the noodles are drained, divide them into four bowls, top with the ground beef sauce, and garnish with sliced cucumber, chopped cilantro, and green onions. Mix well and savor!