A delicious one-pot meal, this Easy Beef Ramen Skillet recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes, and you’ll love the rich flavors of ground beef, soy sauce, and delicious stir-fry veggies!
I love to cook. I wouldn’t have a whole food blog if I didn’t in fact LOVE to cook. But, sometimes (ok, lots of times) I’m looking for something quick and easy that tastes just as good as a home-cooked meal from scratch that took me hours to make. And nothing compares to the ease of one-pot and one-skillet meals. That’s why I just love this Easy Beef Ramen Skillet.
This super easy meal comes together quickly, only dirties up one pan, and my family just loves this stuff. Though it’s not quite as inexpensive as it used to be, ground beef is still a favorite at our house. It’s versatile, flavorful, and features a shortcut of prepackaged stir fry vegetables straight from the produce section of the grocery store. Just grab the bag, dump it, and go. You could also use the frozen variety!
One key ingredient is the addition of beef broth instead of plain water. It’s an easy way to add tons of flavor without having to add a ton of ingredients. By adding broth instead of water to things like rice and pasta you can serve up a dish with a richer and deeper flavor. And that’s exactly what you get here.
What can I use in place of the ground beef?
You have several options for a ground beef substitute. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Ground turkey or chicken: These are great stand-ins for beef. They’re a little lighter, but still super tasty. Since they’re both a little more bland, you might want to toss in a bit more soy sauce to amp up the flavor.
- Ground pork: If you want something with a bit more richness, ground pork is a solid choice. It’s got that extra bit of fat that makes things nice and juicy.
- Tofu or tempeh: Going meatless? No problem! Crumbled tofu is great because it soaks up all those yummy flavors. Tempeh’s also a winner, adding a slightly nutty taste and firmer texture.
- Mushrooms: If you’re leaning more veggie-heavy, chopped mushrooms like shiitake or portobello can give you that meaty feel while adding a nice earthy flavor.
Can I use frozen vegetables instead of the fresh stir-fry vegetables?
Yes, you can definitely use frozen veggies instead of fresh! They’re super convenient and cook up quickly. Just toss them in straight from the freezer—no need to thaw first. Since they release a little more moisture, you might need to cook them a bit longer to let everything heat through, but they’ll work perfectly in this dish!
How should I store the leftovers?
Yes, you can store Easy Beef Ramen Skillet leftovers and enjoy them later! I recommend storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
When it does come time to reheat your leftovers, I suggest adding a little liquid (water or beef broth) to the noodles before you reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop. The ramen can absorb some of the sauce and become a bit dry after being stored, so adding a little liquid helps restore the texture and flavor.
Recipe Card
Easy Beef Ramen Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 (12-ounce) package fresh stir-fry vegetables
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 (3-ounce) package beef flavored ramen noodles
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Drain the excess grease away.
- Return the skillet to the heat and add the vegetables to the beef. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- In a small bowl, combine the beef broth, soy sauce, ginger, and 1 packet of seasoning mix from the ramen noodles. You can discard the other one or save it for something else. Mix well and pour into the skillet.
- Bring to a boil then roughly break up the ramen and add it to the skillet. Stir to combine then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until the noodles are tender and the vegetables are cooked to your liking. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
