Sticky Beef & Sesame Noodle Bake

Sticky Beef & Sesame Noodle Bake

Servings: ~6

Ingredients

• 500g beef mince

• 500g dried noodles (egg noodles, ramen bricks, or even spaghetti if that’s what’s on hand)

• 1 large onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 carrots, julienned or grated

• 2 zucchinis, diced or grated

• 2 cups shredded cabbage

• 1 capsicum, sliced

• 3 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium if possible)

• 2 tbsp oyster sauce (or hoisin for sweeter flavour)

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tsp brown sugar (balances the saltiness)

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 1 tsp ground ginger (or fresh if you have it)

• 1 tsp chili flakes

• 1 tbsp cornflour mixed with 3 tbsp water (to thicken)

• ½ cup grated cheese (mozzarella or cheddar — yes, cheese on noodles works surprisingly well in a bake!)

• Sesame seeds & spring onion (optional garnish)

Method

1. Boil the noodles until just undercooked, drain, and set aside.

2. In a large pan, brown the mince. Drain excess fat if needed. Remove and set aside.

3. In the same pan, add onion, garlic, carrots, zucchini, cabbage, and capsicum. Cook until softened (8–10 mins).

4. Stir in soy sauce, oyster/hoisin, tomato paste, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, and chili flakes. Add cornflour slurry to thicken. Simmer 2–3 mins.

5. Return beef and noodles to the pan. Mix everything together well so the sauce coats evenly.

6. Transfer to a large baking dish, top with cheese, and bake at 180°C for ~15 mins until golden on top.

7. Garnish with sesame seeds & spring onion.