Pre-Practice Beef and Broccoli Noodles

Ingredients

The ingredient list for pre-practice beef and broccoli noodles assumes serves 4 and about 25 minutes.

• 1 lb thinly sliced beef (sirloin or flank), cut into strips
• 8 oz lo mein or spaghetti noodles
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup beef broth or water
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger

How to Make It

A clean stopping point makes pre-practice beef and broccoli noodles much easier to run around practice time.

• Cook the noodles according to the package, adding the broccoli for the last 2 minutes; drain.
• Whisk the soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, broth, garlic, and ginger in a bowl.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat and cook the beef strips 3 to 4 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
• Pour in the sauce and simmer 2 minutes until it thickens and coats the beef.
• Add the drained noodles and broccoli and toss 1 to 2 minutes until everything is glossy and hot.

Timing Before Practice

Start about 30 minutes out; thin beef cooks in minutes once the pan is hot.

• T-minus 30: boil noodles and broccoli, mix the sauce
• T-minus 16: sear the beef on high heat
• T-minus 6: add sauce and noodles, toss, and serve

Make It Ahead or Save Leftovers

This reheats into a tidy bowl that travels well to a second night.

• Slice the beef and mix the sauce in the morning
• Reheat with a splash of broth to loosen the noodles
• Pack leftovers in a box for an easy next-day lunch
• Serve with: orange slices, a glass of milk

Parent Tip

Freeze the beef for 15 minutes before slicing so you can cut paper-thin strips.