Ah, Beef Chow Mein Casserole — it’s like taking the flavors of classic Chinese-American beef chow mein and turning them into a cozy baked dish. Tender beef, crisp-tender vegetables, and noodles all layered with a savory sauce and baked to bubbly perfection. Here’s a full recipe:
Beef Chow Mein Casserole
Servings: 4–6
Ingredients
For the beef & vegetables:
- 1 lb (450 g) beef (flank steak or sirloin), thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 cup carrots, julienned or thinly sliced
- 1 cup bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 2 cups shredded cabbage or bean sprouts
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
For the sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water
- 1 tsp cornstarch (mixed with 1 tbsp water to thicken)
For the noodles & topping:
- 6 oz (170 g) egg noodles, cooked al dente
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional, for a baked twist)
- Green onions for garnish
Instructions
1. Marinate and cook the beef:
- Toss sliced beef with 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp cornstarch; set aside 10–15 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear beef 2–3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked; remove and set aside.
2. Sauté the vegetables:
- In the same skillet, sauté onions, carrots, and bell peppers 3–4 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Add garlic and cabbage (or bean sprouts) and cook 1–2 minutes more.
3. Make the sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and beef broth.
- Pour sauce into the skillet with the vegetables; bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken slightly.
4. Assemble the casserole:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large baking dish, combine cooked noodles, beef, and vegetable sauce mixture.
- Mix well and spread evenly.
- Optional: sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
5. Bake:
- Bake 15–20 minutes until heated through and cheese (if using) is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve:
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
- Serve hot, straight from the casserole dish.
Tips for Best Results
- Noodles: Cook slightly under al dente, as they will finish cooking in the oven.
- Vegetables: Use any mix of bell peppers, snap peas, broccoli, or mushrooms for variety.
- Beef: Thin slices cook faster and stay tender; flank or sirloin is ideal.
- Cheese topping: Totally optional — gives it a more American-style baked casserole twist.
If you want, I can also give a one-skillet stovetop version that skips the oven entirely but still has that chow mein flavor and slightly saucy texture.
Do you want me to do that?
