One-Pot Korean Beef and Sweet Potato Noodles

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick one-pot dish featuring ground beef, sweet potatoes, and chewy noodles simmered in a savory-spicy Korean-inspired sauce for a satisfying weeknight dinner. This korean-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs ground beef, medium yellow onion, diced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add 1 lb ground beef. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot with the beef. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion softens and is translucent.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp gochujang, 3 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp brown sugar, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant and the sauce coats the beef.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 large peeled sweet potato cut into 1/2-inch cubes and 3 cups beef broth to the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until the sweet potatoes begin to soften.
  5. Step 5: Add 6 oz dried sweet potato noodles (dangmyeon) to the pot, stirring to submerge. Cover and simmer for 7-8 minutes until noodles are tender and have absorbed some broth.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp sesame oil and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Garnish with 2 sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Korean Beef and Sweet Potato Noodles take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover One-Pot Korean Beef and Sweet Potato Noodles?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Korean Beef and Sweet Potato Noodles?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale One-Pot Korean Beef and Sweet Potato Noodles for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with One-Pot Korean Beef and Sweet Potato Noodles?

Korean one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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