Easy Chinese Beef and Broccoli Noodles

Quick and Easy: This recipe can be made from scratch in just 20 minutes! That’s faster than ordering a takeout at home. And the flavors taste even better than anything you’ve ever had!

Family-Favorite: A delicious blend of tender beef, crunchy broccoli, and a savory sauce, it's no wonder this dish is a hit with both kids and adults alike. The use of spaghettini adds a fun twist that your family will love.

Perfect for Meal Prep: This dish is also great for meal prepping. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and you've got a ready-to-go meal that's just as delicious reheated. This beef and broccoli recipe truly has it all.

All you need are some incredibly simple, pantry-staple ingredients to make this delicious Chinese beef and broccoli recipe at home.

Here's an overview of the specific ingredients for this recipe. For the exact ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.

• Spaghettini: This thin pasta is the perfect carrier for our sauce. I like to use spaghettini over spaghetti because it's thinner size doesn't overpower the other flavors in the dish, while its shape and texture help to hold onto the sauce, ensuring every bite is packed with taste. If you prefer thicker noodles, you can substitute them with fresh Shanghai noodles or frozen udon noodles.
• Flank Steak: The star of our dish, when thinly sliced against the grain, this cut of beef is tender and flavorful. It absorbs the marinade well, and its lean yet juicy texture pairs perfectly with the vegetables and sauce. You can also use a t-bone steak or rib eye steak if you prefer.
• Onion: I like to use onions because it provides a sweet, caramelized flavor onion that compliments the savory ingredients.
• Broccoli: Broccoli adds crunch and a vibrant green color to the dish. Its ability to absorb some of the soy sauce makes it a great choice for stir-fry dishes. You can also substitute it with other vegetables such as cauliflower or Chinese gai lan.
• Corn Starch: Used in the beef marinade, cornstarch helps to tenderize the beef and create a silky texture. It also thickens the sauce, making it cling to the ingredients for a richer flavor.

For the Marinade and Sauce Mix:

• Soy Sauce: This is the backbone of the marinade and sauce mix. It gives the dish its salty, umami flavor. I like to use reduced sodium soy sauce to keep the dish from becoming too salty.
• Dark Soy Sauce: It’s used mainly to give the noodles a browner color. It is thicker than normal soy sauce and has the consistency of thin maple syrup. If you cannot find it, you can use the soy sauce you are using for the dish instead.
• Sugar: This sweetener balances out the salty soy sauce.

Making this incredible Chinese beef and broccoli recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:

Preparing the Pasta and Blanching the Broccoli

Cook the Pasta: Follow the directions on the pasta package for al dente pasta, but subtract a minute or two from their suggested time. We'll be cooking the pasta again in a skillet later, so it's best to slightly under-cook it. (Note: No need to add salt to the boiling water because the soy sauce in the recipe will provide enough saltiness.)

Prep the Broccoli: Cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets and set aside.

Blanch the Broccoli: When there are about three to four minutes left on your pasta timer, add the chopped broccoli to the boiling water with the pasta. Blanch for a few minutes.

Drain and Rinse: Drain the broccoli and pasta, give them a light rinse to remove extra starch and set aside.

Mix the Marinade Ingredients: Combine all the marinade and sauce ingredients listed in the recipe. Set this mixture aside.

Prep the Beef: Slice your chosen cut of beef, such as skirt steak, thinly against the grain. Marinate the beef with cornstarch, four teaspoons of the pre-mixed soy sauce mixture, and a tablespoon of water for ten minutes.

Prep the Onions: Cut the onion in half and slice them into thin half-moon shapes. Set aside.

Heat the Oil: In a skillet or large wok, add two to three tablespoons of oil. Set it to high heat and wait for it to get hot.

Fry the Onions: Add in the onions and stir fry for three minutes.

Cook the Beef: Add in the marinated beef and cook for another three to five minutes until the meat is cooked.

Mix Everything: Pour in the cooked pasta, blanched broccoli, and the remaining sauce mixture. Cook for about two to three minutes until everything is evenly mixed!

Enjoy your Homemade Chinese Takeout: Your delicious Chinese beef and broccoli is ready to enjoy! 

This delicious Chinese beef and broccoli stir fry recipe is so flavorful and easy to make, you'll want to try out some of these delicious variations! Here are some great ideas:

Change the Protein: You can swap out the protein for chicken, pork, or seafood. Use what you have on hand!

Go Extra Crunchy: Love a good crunch in your Chinese takeout? Add bell peppers and carrots to your broccoli recipe. Not only do these veggies add a pop of color, they also introduce a new texture to the dish. Slice them thin so they stir-fry quickly in the wok or skillet. 

Vegetarian Option: If you're a vegetarian or just looking to cut down on meat, try substituting the cut of beef with tofu or mushrooms. You'll still get that hearty feel, but in a lighter, plant-based way. You might need to adjust the marinade ingredients slightly, but the sauce ingredients remain the same.

Marinate Longer: For a deeper flavor, marinate the beef for a longer time. You can leave it in the marinade ingredients in an airtight container overnight. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful your beef will be.

Want a Healthy Twist?: Swap out the noodles for cauliflower rice or quinoa for a low-carb alternative that doesn't compromise on flavor.

If you have any leftovers of your broccoli beef, you can easily store them! Allow it to cool completely, and then transfer the leftovers into an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator this way for about three to four days. 

When you're ready to reheat, you can use a skillet or a wok over medium heat. Add a splash of water to keep the dish from drying out, then stir continuously until it's heated through. Alternatively, when I am pressed for time, I like to microwave it 1-2 minutes in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds to ensure that the noodles are evenly heated.

I don’t recommend freezing this dish as it can greatly alter the consistency and texture of the broccoli and other ingredients. Considering how quick and easy it is to make, I recommend making it fresh whenever possible. 

If you made this Beef and Broccoli with Noodles recipe, I want to see! Follow Pups with Chopsticks on Instagram, snap a photo, and tag and hashtag it with @pupswithchopsticks and #pupswithchopsticks. I love to know what you are making!

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