These easy ground beef sesame noodles are a fast, satisfying dinner built around savory sauce, tender noodles, and perfectly browned beef. Everything comes together in one skillet, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want big flavor without a lot of effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe delivers a rich, well-balanced sesame-soy sauce that coats every strand of noodles without feeling heavy. It’s ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish, with only a few minutes of prep. The ingredients are simple pantry staples, and the dish is flexible enough to suit different noodle types and spice preferences. It’s hearty, comforting, and family-friendly, while still feeling exciting and satisfying.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
8 ounces dried udon, ramen, soba, lo mein, or spaghetti noodles
1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari, preferably low-sodium
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, divided
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon Asian chili-garlic sauce, optional
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for boiling the noodles
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, plus more for garnish
8 ounces baby spinach
2 tablespoons thinly sliced scallions, optional garnish
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with salt. Add the noodles and cook for 1 minute less than the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking, then set aside.
While the noodles cook, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon of the toasted sesame oil, honey, cornstarch, chili-garlic sauce if using, and minced garlic until smooth.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking the meat into medium crumbles, until browned and fully cooked. During the last minute of cooking, stir in the sesame seeds.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the baby spinach in a few handfuls, stirring until it begins to wilt. Rewhisk the sauce, then pour it into the skillet along with the cooked noodles. Toss everything together continuously for about 1 minute, until the spinach is fully wilted and the noodles are evenly coated with sauce.
Remove from heat and garnish with additional sesame seeds and sliced scallions if desired. Serve immediately.
Servings and timing
Serves: 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 to 15 minutes
Total time: About 20 minutes
Variations
For extra heat, increase the chili-garlic sauce or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. You can swap the spinach for other leafy greens such as chopped kale or Swiss chard, allowing a slightly longer cooking time for tenderizing. A drizzle of extra toasted sesame oil just before serving adds a deeper nutty aroma. For a slightly sweeter profile, increase the honey by 1 to 2 teaspoons.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce, or microwave in short intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of noodle?
Yes, this recipe works well with many dried noodles, including udon, ramen, soba, lo mein, or even spaghetti.
Is lean ground beef important?
Lean ground beef helps keep the dish rich but not greasy, though slightly higher-fat beef can also be used if drained well.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, the sauce can be prepared up to 1 day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Whisk again before using.
Can I leave out the chili-garlic sauce?
Absolutely. The dish is still very flavorful without it and becomes completely mild.
Will fresh spinach really fit in the skillet?
It may seem like a lot at first, but spinach wilts quickly and reduces dramatically in volume.
Can I freeze this dish?
Freezing is not recommended, as the noodles and spinach may become mushy when thawed.
How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?
Rinsing the noodles under cool water after draining helps remove excess starch and prevents sticking.
Can I add more vegetables?
Yes, thinly sliced bell peppers, shredded carrots, or snap peas can be added along with the spinach.
What if my sauce seems too thick?
Add a tablespoon or two of water while tossing the noodles to loosen the sauce.
Is this dish good for meal prep?
Yes, it reheats well and keeps its flavor, making it a great option for lunches or quick dinners.
Conclusion
Easy ground beef sesame noodles are a dependable, flavorful dinner you can turn to any night of the week. With minimal prep, a bold sesame-soy sauce, and comforting noodles, this dish proves that quick meals can still be deeply satisfying and full of character.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook noodles 1 minute less than package directions. Drain and rinse under cool water; set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, honey, cornstarch, chili-garlic sauce (if using), and garlic until smooth.
Heat remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook 5–7 minutes, breaking into crumbles, until browned and cooked through.
Stir in sesame seeds during the last minute of cooking.
Reduce heat to medium. Add spinach in batches, stirring until wilted.
Whisk the sauce again and pour into the skillet along with the noodles. Toss everything together for about 1 minute until evenly coated and heated through.
Remove from heat. Garnish with extra sesame seeds and scallions if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use any noodles you have on hand—spaghetti works in a pinch.
For extra spice, increase chili-garlic sauce or add red pepper flakes.
Swap spinach with kale or Swiss chard, allowing more cook time to soften.
Make the sauce a day ahead for quicker prep.
A splash of water can help loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.
