If you’re craving a dish that brings together tender, flavorful beef with tender noodles all in one skillet, you are going to love this Sticky Beef & Noodles {One Pan} Recipe. It’s a brilliant combination of sticky, savory sauce coating every bite, crisp veggies adding a fresh crunch, and noodles that soak up all those mouthwatering flavors. This recipe is a total game changer for anyone who wants a delicious, fuss-free dinner that feels special but comes together in no time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Sometimes the best dishes come from simple, well-chosen ingredients, and this Sticky Beef & Noodles {One Pan} Recipe proves just that. Each element plays its part to create a balanced, satisfying meal, from the juicy beef strips to the brightly crisp broccoli, while the sauce packs a punch of sweet and savory goodness.
- Sunflower oil: Perfect for high-heat cooking and adds a neutral flavor that lets the other ingredients shine.
- Steak (400g): Thin strips ensure quick cooking and tender bites packed with meaty flavor.
- Broccoli (300g): Adds vibrant color, texture, and a mild earthiness that balances the richness of the beef.
- Mange tout (160g): Crunchy and fresh, these snap peas bring a lovely sweet crispness.
- Dried egg noodles (250g): They soak up all the delicious sticky sauce, making each mouthful irresistible.
- Ginger (1 tbsp): Freshly crushed for a zingy, warming undertone that brightens the dish.
- Garlic (4 cloves): Adds depth and a gentle pungency to the sauce and stir fry.
- Oyster sauce (5 tbsp): A rich salty-sweet sauce that forms the sticky base for this dish.
- Dark soy sauce (6 tbsp): Provides a savory umami kick with reduced salt to keep things balanced.
- Honey (6 tbsp): Brings natural sweetness and helps achieve that glossy, sticky coating.
- Tomato ketchup (6 tbsp): Adds tang and a hint of sweetness, complementing the oyster sauce perfectly.
- Spring onions (4): These add freshness and a mild sharpness as a final garnish.
How to Make Sticky Beef & Noodles {One Pan} Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
Start by whisking together the oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, honey, and tomato ketchup in a small bowl. This combination creates the magic sticky glaze that transforms the dish from ordinary to extraordinary. Set it aside for now; it’s the sauce that will pull all the flavors together.
Step 2: Soak the Noodles
Pop the dried egg noodles into a bowl and pour boiling water straight from the kettle over them. Cover the bowl with a plate and let the noodles soak while you prepare the stir fry. This method softens them just right without turning mushy, so they finish perfectly chewy and tender when added to the pan.
Step 3: Cook the Beef
Heat the sunflower oil in a large frying pan or wok over high heat. Toss in the thinly sliced steak strips and stir-fry vigorously for about 4-5 minutes. The high heat sears the beef quickly, keeping it juicy inside with a slight caramelized edge that enhances the flavor beautifully.
Step 4: Add the Vegetables
Next, stir the noodles to make sure they are softening evenly. Add the broccoli and mange tout to the pan with the beef, continuing to cook for 4-5 minutes. The veggies should become tender yet retain a bit of crunch, providing a delightful contrast to the silky noodles and beef.
Step 5: Combine Noodles and Sauce
Drain the noodles thoroughly and add them straight into the pan. Pour over the sticky sauce you prepared earlier, then toss everything together to coat every strand of noodle, each piece of beef, and the vibrant veggies. Heat through for a minute or two until the sauce thickens and clings perfectly to the ingredients.
Step 6: Final Touches
Sprinkle in the thinly sliced spring onions and, if you like, a handful of toasted sesame seeds for an extra hit of texture and flavor. Give the whole dish one last stir, then serve immediately while that glorious sticky sauce is still warm and luscious.
How to Serve Sticky Beef & Noodles {One Pan} Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh spring onions is essential for a burst of brightness. You can also toss on some toasted sesame seeds or chopped chili if you want to add a bit of crunch or heat. These small touches elevate the dish, making it feel even more homemade and special.
Side Dishes
This dish is a full meal on its own, but if you want to round it out, a simple cucumber salad with a light vinaigrette, or steamed jasmine rice on the side makes a wonderful complement. Steamed or stir-fried greens like bok choy work beautifully too, soaking up any leftover sauce on your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For an impressive presentation, serve Sticky Beef & Noodles {One Pan} Recipe in colorful shallow bowls or on a large sharing platter. Garnish with extra herbs like cilantro or Thai basil and a wedge of lime to squeeze over for freshness. This way, it makes a feast-worthy centerpiece perfect for family dinners or casual get-togethers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The sticky sauce actually develops more depth overnight, but the noodles can soak up the sauce quite a bit, so they might seem a little less saucy the next day.
Freezing
Freezing this dish is not recommended as the noodles tend to become mushy once thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh or stored refrigerated and eaten within a couple of days for the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a non-stick pan over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much or if the noodles have dried out. Stir frequently to warm evenly without overcooking the beef or veggies.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, you can use sirloin or rump steak, as long as it’s thinly sliced against the grain. Avoid tougher cuts that require long cooking times, since this recipe is quick and relies on tender, fast-cooked beef strips.
What if I don’t have oyster sauce?
You can substitute with hoisin sauce or a mix of soy sauce and a dash of fish sauce, but bear in mind the flavor profile will be slightly different. Oyster sauce gives this dish its characteristic rich, savory-sweet depth.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the beef for firm tofu or seitan strips and replace oyster sauce with a vegetarian mushroom-based stir-fry sauce. The noodles and veggies will still shine with the same sticky, tangy sauce.
Do I have to soak the noodles before cooking?
Soaking the noodles in boiling water helps them soften gently so they cook evenly with the other ingredients in the pan. It prevents overcooking and clumping, but if you prefer, you can quickly boil them separately instead.
How spicy is this dish?
This Sticky Beef & Noodles {One Pan} Recipe is mild and packed with sweet and savory flavors rather than heat. You can easily add chili flakes or fresh sliced chilies to spice it up according to your taste.
Final Thoughts
This Sticky Beef & Noodles {One Pan} Recipe is one of those dishes you’ll find yourself making over and over because it’s just that good. It’s quick, flavorful, and comforting with a gorgeous sticky sauce that brings everything together beautifully. I promise that once you try it, it’ll become your go-to weeknight favorite or a dish you whip up when you want to impress without stress. So go on, give it a try — your taste buds will thank you!
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Sticky Beef & Noodles {One Pan} Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This Sticky Beef & Noodles recipe is a quick and delicious one-pan stir-fry featuring tender strips of steak, vibrant broccoli and mange tout, all tossed with egg noodles in a flavorful sticky sauce made from oyster sauce, soy sauce, honey, and tomato ketchup. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight meal packed with savory and sweet Asian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tbsp Sunflower oil
- 400 g Steak (Fat removed and cut into thin strips)
- 300 g Broccoli (Or a whole head, cut into florets)
- 160 g Mange tout
- 4 Spring onions (Trimmed and thinly sliced)
Noodles
- 250 g Dried egg noodles
Sauce
- 1 tbsp Ginger (Crushed, fresh chopped or jarred)
- 4 Cloves Garlic (Peeled and crushed)
- 5 tbsp Oyster sauce
- 6 tbsp Dark soy sauce (Reduced sodium)
- 6 tbsp Honey
- 6 tbsp Tomato ketchup
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, honey, tomato ketchup, crushed ginger, and garlic until well combined. Set the sauce aside for later use.
- Soften the Noodles: Place the dried egg noodles in a bowl and pour boiling water from a kettle directly over them. Cover the bowl with a plate and allow the noodles to soak and soften while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Cook the Beef: Heat the sunflower oil in a large frying pan or wok over high heat. Add the steak strips and stir-fry vigorously for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Check Noodles: Stir the soaking noodles gently with a fork to ensure they soften evenly and don’t clump together.
- Add Vegetables: Add the broccoli florets and mange tout to the pan with the beef. Continue to cook and stir-fry for another 4-5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Combine Noodles and Sauce: Drain the softened noodles well and add them to the pan. Pour the prepared sauce over the top and toss everything together over heat, allowing the sauce to coat all ingredients and become sticky.
- Serve: Stir well to combine, then serve immediately garnished with the thinly sliced spring onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- For best results, choose a lean cut of steak such as sirloin or flank and slice very thinly against the grain for tenderness.
- You can substitute broccoli with other vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas if preferred.
- If you don’t have dried egg noodles, fresh egg noodles can be used; adjust soaking time accordingly.
- Adjust the honey quantity if you prefer a less sweet sauce.
- This dish can be made gluten-free by substituting soy sauce with tamari and ensuring oyster sauce is gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian