Description
A fast, flavorful, and customizable weeknight dinner featuring ground beef and noodles tossed in a spicy, savory, and sweet gochujang sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 fat ratio recommended)
- 8 ounces noodles (rice noodles, udon, or ramen)
- 3–4 tablespoons gochujang paste
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1–2 teaspoons sugar or honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3–4 green onions, sliced (white parts for cooking, green for garnish)
- 1 cup chopped vegetables (carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, or bell peppers)
- 1/2 cup water or broth
- 1 tablespoon oil (for cooking beef if lean)
Instructions
- Whisk together gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, and water in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water, toss with a drop of sesame oil, and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes until fully browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Add a splash of water to deglaze if needed.
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, then mix with the beef.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the beef. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and flavors meld.
- Add the cooked noodles to the skillet. Toss vigorously to coat evenly. Add a splash of water or noodle water if the sauce is too thick.
- Add raw vegetables and toss for 1-2 minutes until tender-crisp. Add leafy greens at the very end just to warm through.
- Serve immediately in bowls, topped with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and optionally a fried egg.
Notes
Gochujang is essential for authentic flavor; do not substitute with sriracha. Browning the beef is crucial for depth of flavor. Noodles absorb sauce and soften over time, so best eaten fresh. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
Keywords: gochujang, beef noodles, spicy noodles, korean food, quick dinner, weeknight meals, one pan recipe, easy noodles