Chow Mein Noodle Hotdish Recipe (2024)

April 9, 2013

posted by Haley

16 Comments

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Did you know that a true Minnesotan doesn’t accept food until the third offer?

Take it from me – a born and bred Minnesotan – that would be much too forward and verging on rude. Here’s howa scene may play out at a Sunday evening get-together among friends or neighbors:

  • Host: Do you want some more dessert?
  • Minnesotan: Oh no, I really shouldn’t.
  • Host: Oh come onnow. Are you sure?
  • Minnesotan: Ya – I think I should pass.
  • Host:There’s still a lot left and I really don’t want to bother with leftovers.Are you sure?
  • Minnesotan: Oh, well, I really shouldn’t. But if you insist…

Back in college, I had a speech communication professor from Thailand. In our intercultural communication class, he showed us a video called “How toSpeak Minnesotan”.

It gave a comical but realistic look at some common Minnesotanisms: The long goodbye; waving to the driver of an oncoming vehicle; extreme modesty.Things that make so much sense to us, but may seem a littlepeculiar from the outside.

Lesson #5was my favorite: Eating in Minnesota.

What Is Hotdish?(From How To TalkMinnesotan)

  • Hotdish is served hot
  • Hotdish is served in a dish
  • Hotdish typically appearsat church suppers, weddings, 4H meetings, and funerals

Generic Recipe For Hotdish (from How toTalk Minnesotan)

Mix together 2 cans ofcream of mushroom soup, 1 pound of cooked pulverized meat, 2 cans of pale vegetables. Stir. Salt to taste. Pour in baking dish. Bake between 400 and 700 degrees, until a crust forms. (See below for real recipe).

Wantto learn how to talkMinnesotan yourself?Watch this amusingand slightly esoteric video – and prepare to be entertained:


All jokes aside, hotdish is a much loved meal in Minnesota and throughout the upper Midwest. It can be prepared so many different ways (here are 30+ ideas) – with ground beef, tuna, chicken, canned or frozen vegetables, and a variety of crunchy toppings.

And every family here seems to have a favorite hotdish recipe. Here are some of my family’s favorites.

More Minnesota Hotdish Recipes

  • Three-bean hotdish
  • Ring bologna hotdish
  • Pizza hotdish
  • Tuna noodle hotdish
  • Tater tot hotdish
  • Simple hamburger hotdish
  • Thanksgiving leftover hotdish
  • Cheesy corn hotdish
  • Crab rangoon hotdish
  • Chicken broccoli hotdish
Chow Mein Noodle Hotdish Recipe (3)

This hotdish recipe is hearty and filling. Make a night out of it and watch your favorite Minnesota-themed movie like Fargo, New in Town, or Juno.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 package frozen stir fry vegetables
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups chow mein noodles, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Brown ground beef and onion. Place in the bottom of a large casserole dish. Mix in soups, frozen vegetables, half of the green onions, seasonings, and 1 cup of chow mein noodles.
  2. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and top with remaining chow mein noodles. Return to oven and bake for additional 15 minutes or so, until hotdish is hot and bubbly, and chow mein noodles are browned.
  3. Top with remaining chopped green onions and serve.

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posted by Haley on April 9, 2013 (updated October 3, 2023)

16 Comments Leave a Comment »

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16 comments on “Chow Mein Noodle Hotdish Recipe”

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  1. Violet Reply

    Great, thank you. I like dishes that are easy to make:)

  2. Tess @ Cake and Vodka Reply

    I love easy meals-thanks so much!

  3. Eileen Reply

    Classic midwest! I grew up in Chicago, so we had casserole instead of hotdish, but hey–it’s all the same food group. “Things in pyrex,” perhaps? 🙂

    • Haley Reply

      Only the most sophisticated of Minnesotans call it “casserole” 😉
      But you’re right – it’s all pretty much the same thing!

  4. Karen Harris Reply

    So funny! This looks and sounds like the pot luck dishes that I loved eating while growing up. Yum, I can almost taste it.

  5. SnoWhite @ Finding Joy in My Kitchen Reply

    LOVE how to talk Minnesotan!!! And, love a good hotdish. In fact, my grandmother has been known to make this very dish!

  6. Pingback: Weekly Menu Plan - WTCW #98 - Just Us Four

  7. Steffen W. Reply

    Just came across this amazing looking and sounding hotdish, but was left with one question i hope you can answer (since the video is down and not able to help here anymore):
    Are the noodles already cooked? If not, what chow mein noodles were you using? 🙂
    Thanks for your answer!

    • Haley Reply

      Hi Steffen,
      Great question. The chow mein noodles aren’t cooked. I buy them in the Asian food section of the grocery store. It looks like you’re from Germany, I believe, so I don’t know how easily you can find them there. They’re very crunchy and ready to eat out of the bag. I hope that helps!

  8. Steffen W. Reply

    Somehow i wasn’t able to figure out how to reply to your reply Haley so i have to write another comment… sorry 🙁
    Your comment helps more than just “a bit”. It’s exactly what i hoped for. 🙂
    And yes i’m probably able to get my hands on some Chow Mein Noodles in Germany. (So yes you “guessed” right ^^) I just have to figure out if the chow mein noodles you’re reffering to/used are mor like the ones you kinda “have to cook” for a while (https://bamboogarden.de/bilder/produkte/l/4023900539964.png) or those instant wok noodles you can sue without cooking them first (https://bamboogarden.de/bilder/produkte/l/4023900430018.png). But i think i’ll go with the last one 😀
    Thanks again! 🙂

    • Haley Reply

      The second link looks about right – as long as you can eat them right out of the package?? Hope you like it Steffen!

  9. Steffen W. Reply

    Me again xD. I was about to make the hot dish tomorrow and realized i have everything, but how much (gram/oz) is one package stir fry vegetables? There are a lot of package sizes… sounds 750g ok? ^^

  10. Sarah Reply

    Can this be made in a crockpot? 🙂

    • Haley Reply

      I think so, but I’ve never tried it. I would brown the beef before putting in the crockpot, then heat on low for an hour or two… just check to make sure it’s all heated and ready to go. Add the chow mein noodles at the end.

  11. Nicole Reply

    Thank you so much for this entertaining post! I’m home sick (and homesick) and decided to look for the recipe for the hotdish my grandma always used to make. I got the recipe, but even better than the taste of MN, you included some MN culture, which cheered me right up! I look forward to making this recipe. (BTW, Tater Tot Hot Dish is my second favorite one.)

    • Haley Reply

      Aw, thanks Nicole! I love how recipes can take you right back 🙂

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Chow Mein Noodle Hotdish Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is chow mein sauce made of? ›

All you need is soy sauce, black vinegar, sugar, oyster sauce, black pepper, and sesame oil. The flavor that is often missing in homemade chow mein is the tanginess. Black Vinegar is less harsh than regular vinegar, which gives the chow mein a subtle hint of tanginess that brings the dish together.

What noodles are best for chow mein? ›

Can't find Chow Mein Noodles? Use Ramen Noodles or other instant noodles – just toss the packet seasoning! Or use thin spaghetti or other thin egg noodles (check ingredients on packet, should have egg listed).

What are the white crunchy things in chow mein? ›

The white Chinese crispy noodles are called "chow mein noodles." They are made from wheat flour and are often deep-fried until crispy. Chow mein noodles are a popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine and are used in dishes such as chow mein and crispy noodle salad.

What's the difference between lo mein and chow mein noodles? ›

The biggest difference between chow mein and lo mein lies in the translations of their names: chow mein is fried, and lo mein is tossed. The experience is somewhat different between the two. Lo mein tends to be saucier and more toothsome, with a texture some describe as “slippery” because of the noodles' softness.

Can you buy chow mein sauce? ›

Sainsbury's Chow Mein Stir Fry Sauce 120g | Sainsbury's.

What makes chow mein taste like chow mein? ›

Simple sauce: While chow mein sauce is unbelievably easy to make, it still brings a complexity of flavors to the dish. The careful combination of ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce and sugar results in a chow mein sauce that has hints of both savory and sweet notes.

Can you use regular spaghetti noodles for chow mein? ›

Yes, it is possible to substitute spaghetti for chow mein noodles by boiling it with a small amount of baking soda. The baking soda alters the pH level of the spaghetti, giving it a similar texture and flavor to chow mein noodles. They can then be used in any dish that calls for chow mein noodles.

What are the two types of chow mein? ›

In the American market, two types of chow mein include crispy chow mein and steamed chow mein. The steamed chow mein has a softer texture, while the former is crisper and drier. Crispy chow mein uses fried, flat noodles, while soft chow mein uses long, rounded noodles.

What is a good substitute for chow mein noodles? ›

Spaghetti noodles are not traditionally used in chow mein recipes, but you can use them as a substitute if you don't have chow mein noodles on hand. However, keep in mind that using spaghetti noodles may alter the flavor and texture of the dish.

What is the skinny white thing in Chinese food? ›

Rice Vermicelli Noodles 米粉

Vermicelli is a thin, long, white noodle that is often found in soups, stir-fries and salads in Chinese cuisine.

Why is my chow mein soggy? ›

An expert chef's tip for perfect chow mein

The ideal Cantonese style chow mein is not soggy, with aromatic crispiness here and there. Before frying them, it's best to steam the noodles rather than boil them, then dunk them in the hot water for just a minute. Remember to let the noodles cool down.

What is Chicago style chow mein? ›

CHICAGO CHOW MEIN: Slices of vegetables in a dark sauce with mushrooms, water chestnuts, and pea pods.

What does "chow mein" mean in Chinese? ›

Chow mein is a dish of stir-fried Chinese-style noodles that can be served with proteins, vegetables or gravy. Chow mein is the English derivative of the word chau meing and comes from the Taishan dialect of Chinese. Chau means stir-fried and meing means noodles.

What is chop suey vs chow mein? ›

With chow mein, you cook noodles and add them to your wok of other ingredients, cooking everything together in one pan. However, with a chop suey recipe, you will cook the noodles or rice and other ingredients separately before combining them in a bowl, serving up the noodles or rice with the sauce served over the top.

What are the thick Chinese noodles called? ›

"thick noodles") are thick Chinese noodles made from wheat flour and water. Two types of Chinese noodles are called cumian. One is Shanghai style, thick in diameter, used in Shanghai fried noodles. The other type is Hong Kong style, flat and wide, sometimes yellow-alkaline.

What is the brown sauce in Chinese food called? ›

Oyster sauce is commonly used in Chinese food and adds a savory, salty, umami flavor. Both can be found in most grocery stores. If you like, you can add grated or minced ginger or garlic. Serve your homemade brown sauce with a beef, chicken, or pork stir-fry or chow mein dish.

What is lo mein sauce made of? ›

Lo mein sauce

It's a simple umami filled mix of light and dark soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, sugar, and a hint of ginger. It's super easy to make a batch of lo mein sauce and keep it in the fridge so you can easily make lo mein whenever the craving hits.

What to use instead of oyster sauce? ›

  • Fish sauce. Although it's not a perfect substitute, you can use fish sauce in place of oyster sauce in some recipes. ...
  • Soy sauce. Soy sauce is an easy substitute for oyster sauce since it's a common pantry staple. ...
  • Hoisin sauce. ...
  • Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce. ...
  • Teriyaki sauce. ...
  • Vegan mushroom sauce.
Jul 12, 2021

What the heck is chow mein? ›

Chow mein is a dish of stir-fried Chinese-style noodles that can be served with proteins, vegetables or gravy. Chow mein is the English derivative of the word chau meing and comes from the Taishan dialect of Chinese. Chau means stir-fried and meing means noodles.

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