These beef mince and veggie rice noodles are quick to make, use fresh veggies and mince and are super kid friendly. Not only that, but the pantry ingredients you buy to make them can be used for so many other things, so you're not wasting money. Using ground beef to keep these noodles within budget, this is a quick and delicious stir-fry dinner you're going to love!
Why you're going to love this recipe
Budget friendly meals are one of the most requested items here on kidgredients and I want to keep you all happy. So over the coming weeks expect to see some yummy, fresh and tasty budget friendly meals that your family will love!
Eating on a budget doesn't have to mean eating crap. In fact, by buying what's in season and buying in bulk (I got 3kgs of beef mince at Costco) you are able to get more for your money. Which means you can eat well on a budget. Here's why you're going to love this recipe:
- packed full of vegetables
- uses beef mince so it cooks quickly and is cheap
- rice noodles are super thin and yummy
- quick and easy to make
- simple pantry and fridge ingredients
- family friendly
- tastes as good as takeout
What goes into this recipe
- beef mince- I've used beef mince in this recipe, but it will also work with pork mince or chicken mince.
- broccoli- A few weeks back when broccoli was $6.99 a kg, I would never have dreamed of making this dish and calling it budget friendly. If that's the case near you right now then there is no harm in buying frozen broccoli florets. For that matter, when stocks are low or miserable...yellow broccoli florets...I'm talking to you...then frozen broccoli is just as good. We are using the florets and the stalk in this recipe.
- carrots- work so well in this recipe as they retain their crunch.
- rice noodles- let's talk about these noodles. Rice noodles are super cheap. But if you want, you can follow the package directions on the noodles of your choice: ramen noodles, udon noodles, egg noodles or even fresh noodles. Make sure they are well drained before adding to the pan.
- flavour- chinese 5 spice, fresh garlic cloves and ginger are bringing the flavour for this recipe. Green onions- spring onions are used at the end for a burst of flavour as a garnish. Soy sauce is used to add umami and salt. If you are looking for a gluten free alternative to regular soy sauce, try tamari.
- oil- i used peanut oil and also sesame oil. Peanut oil is for frying and the sesame oil is for flavour.
| 500 grams beef mince: | $7.50 |
| 1 head of broccoli | $1.42 |
| carrots | $0.86 |
| rice noodles | $1.30 |
| soy sauce | $1.90 |
| baby corn | $3.00 |
| chinese 5 spice | $1.70 |
| sesame oil | $2.60 |
| spring onions | $2.00 |
| total | $22.28 |
| $3.70 per serve |
How to make this recipe
- First, if you're using rice noodles, pop them into cold water for ½ hour to soak and rehydrate. If you are using another type of noodle, then follow the packet instructions. Be sure to drain through a colander before adding to the pan.
- Add the chinese 5 spice to the mince and massage through.
- Heat ½ the peanut oil over medium-high heat in a wok or large skillet.
- Fry the beef mince until golden brown. Add the veggies and fry for 5 minutes more.
- Add the garlic, ginger and 2 tbsps of soy sauce, stir quickly to combine and cook for 1 minute.
- Transfer this mixture to a large bowl.
- Add the remaining peanut oil to the wok, drain the noodles and add to one side of the wok. On the other side, pour in the whisked eggs. Allow the eggs to cook for 1 minute, then quickly stir through the noodles.
- Add the sesame oil and the remaining soy to the noodles and add the cooked beef and veggie mix.
- Cook for 4 minutes more, stirring to make sure it doesn't all stick.
- Add the spring onions and serve.
Expert Tips and FAQs
The beauty of these beef noodles is that you can swap up the veggies. Red pepper, zucchini, cabbage and mushroom would all work well in this recipe.
I ahve kept this recipe super simple. You could also add a splash hoisin sauce or oyster sauce. You can also use dark soy sauce in place of the regular soy sauce.
To be honest, this isn't a keeping recipe. You make it on the night, you eat it on the night.
Here are some more delicious budget dinners:
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Beef Mince Noodles Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 grams beef mince
- 2 tsps chinese five spice powder
- 3 tbsps peanut oil
- 1 packet rice noodles vermicelli
- 1 head of broccoli florets and stalks
- 2 carrots slices
- 3 spring onions thinly chopped
- 1 packet 250 grams of baby corn, halved
- 2 eggs lightly whisked.
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 3 tbsps soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Soak the rice noodles (vermicelli) in cold water for at least ½ hour before you start the rest of the recipe.
- Heat 1.5 tbsps of the peanut oil in a wok or large frypan over medium/ high heat.
- Add the 5 spice powder to the mince and massage through.
- Fry the mince until browned. Add the broccoli, carrots and corn. Cook for 5 minutes more.
- Add the garlic, ginger and 2 tbsps of soy sauce, stir quickly to combine and cook for 1 minute.
- Transfer this mixture to a large bowl.
- Add the remaining peanut oil to the wok, drain the noodles and add to one side of the wok. On the other side, pour in the whisked eggs. Allow the eggs to cook for 1 minute, then quickly stir through the noodles.
- Add the sesame oil and the remaining soy to the noodles and add the cooked beef and veggie mix.
- Cook for 4 minutes more, stirring to make sure it doesn't all stick.
- Add the spring onions and serve.
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