Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup beef broth
1/3 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Pinch of red pepper flake (optional)
10 oz linguine
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
4 green onions, sliced
Instructions
Preparing the Noodles
Cook the Pasta:
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor of the pasta.
Add 10 oz of linguine to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions, typically around 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
Drain the cooked pasta and set it aside.
Preparing the Beef and Sauce
Brown the Ground Beef:
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add 1 lb of ground beef to the skillet. Cook the beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
Drain any excess fat from the skillet to avoid a greasy dish.
Add Garlic:
Add 5 cloves of minced garlic to the browned beef. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn, as it can become bitter.
Combine Sauce Ingredients:
Add 1/3 cup of brown sugar, 1/4 cup of beef broth, 1/3 cup of soy sauce, 3 tablespoons of hoisin sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper to the skillet.
If you prefer a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir everything together until well combined.
Thicken the Sauce:
In a small bowl, dissolve 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of cold water. This will act as a thickening agent for the sauce.
Pour the cornstarch mixture into the skillet with the beef and sauce. Stir continuously until the sauce comes to a gentle boil and starts to thicken.
Great stuff!