Name: Peanut Sauce Beef and Ramen Noodles
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1 pound ground beef; 1 small red bell pepper (diced); ¼ cup grated carrot; 3 to 4 packages ramen noodles; 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter; 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger; 1 garlic clove (minced); Green onion

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I’ll be honest: I cannot control myself when it comes to springy ramen noodles and spicy, nutty peanut sauce. I just can’t. This dish is crazy simple to make and it really hits the spot.

The rich, spicy, peanutty sauce clings to delightfully toothsome ramen noodles. Bits of browned ground beef mingle with the tangle of noodles punctuated by pieces of carrot and sweet red bell pepper. It really is ev-er-y-thing.

A bowl of noodles topped with peanut sauce beef, garnished with green onions.

This Peanut sauce beef and ramen noodles isn’t just easy on the clock; it’s the perfect solution to any weeknight dinner dilemma: Simple and quick to make, using ingredients you likely already have on hand, and proving that you don’t have to sacrifice depth of flavor to get dinner on the table fast.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

There are many reasons to love this peanut sauce beef and ramen noodle dish. Here are a few:

It’s quick and easy to make: This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to cook. It can be whipped up in under 15 minutes, making it a great option for those nights when you just want to get dinner on the table fast.
It’s flavorful and satisfying: The combination of peanut sauce, beef, and vegetables is both flavorful and satisfying. The peanut sauce is rich and nutty, while the beef and vegetables add a savory counterpoint. The ramen noodles provide a satisfying chewiness.
It’s customizable: This dish is a great base that you can easily customize to your liking. You can add different vegetables, such as broccoli, snap peas, or carrots. You can also adjust the spice level of the peanut sauce to suit your taste.
It’s affordable: This dish is made with pantry staples and inexpensive ingredients, making it a great option for budget-minded cooks.

Assorted ingredients laid out for cooking, including vegetables, ground beef, instant ramen noodles, and various condiments.

Ingredients You Need

This peanut sauce beef and ramen noodle dish is made with simple ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:

Cooking oil: You can use any neutral oil, such as avocado oil or peanut oil.
Ground beef: You can use ground chicken, turkey, or pork as a substitute.
Red bell pepper: Any color of bell pepper will work in this dish. Bell peppers add a touch of sweetness and freshness.
Grated carrot: The carrot adds a bit of sweetness and color to the dish. You can shred the carrot by hand or use a grater.
4 packages instant ramen noodles: You can use any flavor of ramen noodles that you have since you’ll be discarding the flavor packet.
Creamy peanut butter: The peanut butter is the star of the show in this dish. It gives the sauce its rich, nutty flavor. I prefer to use all-natural, no-sugar-added peanut butter. can use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer, but creamy peanut butter will give you a smoother sauce.
Sriracha sauce: Spicy sriracha sauce adds a kick to the dish. You can adjust the amount of sriracha to suit your taste. If you don’t like spicy food, you can leave it out altogether.
Soy sauce: Soy sauce adds umami and depth. You can use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your sodium intake.
Grated fresh ginger: Fresh ginger adds a bright, zingy flavor to the sauce.
Fresh garlic: Garlic adds a savory punch to the dish.
Green onion: Green onion adds bright, herby flavor and also a nice pop of color. You can substitute chopped chives if you don’t have green onions.

Ground meat partially cooked in a stainless steel frying pan.

Ground meat and shredded carrots cooking in a stainless steel pan.

How to Make It

This peanut sauce beef and ramen noodle dish is so easy to make, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t made it sooner. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Brown the beef in a skillet. Add the bell pepper and carrot and cook until the vegetables soften.
In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, sriracha, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.
Pour the peanut sauce mixture over the beef and vegetables in the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for an additional minute, or until the sauce is heated through.
Meanwhile, cook the ramen noodles according to the package directions. Discard the seasoning packets.
Drain the noodles and add them to the skillet with the peanut sauce, beef, and vegetables. Toss to coat the noodles in the sauce.
Serve immediately, garnished with sea salt, black pepper, and chopped green onion.

Tips for Success

It’s pretty much impossible to mess this dish up, but here are some tips to ensure success.

If you like your sauce thinner, you can add a splash of water or chicken broth to the skillet.
You can also add other vegetables to this dish, such as broccoli, snap peas, or mushrooms.
For a spicier dish, add more sriracha sauce to the peanut butter mixture.

What to Serve with It

Peanut sauce beef and ramen noodles are a delicious and satisfying meal on their own. But if you’re looking for something extra to round out the meal, add a crisp salad like Spicy Cucumber Salad or refreshing Japanese Cucumber Salad. Cucumber Kimchi is another great option—it’s spicy and bright, making it a great counterpoint to the rich noodles. Need more veggies? Dry Fried Green Beans are a great choice.