Egg Roll in A Bowl: Creamy, cheesy, and irresistible.

Why I Love This Recipe

This dish is my easy way to get big flavor. It tastes just like the inside of an egg roll. But you don’t have to do any tricky folding or frying.

I first made it for my grandson. He always picks the filling out of his egg rolls. I thought, why not just make the good part? He loved it. I still laugh at that. What is your favorite part of an egg roll? The crunchy outside or the tasty inside?

A Little Story For You

My friend Betty came over one night. I was making this for dinner. She saw the big bowl of meat and veggies. She asked where the wrappers were.

I told her we were skipping that step. Her eyes got so wide. She said it was genius. Now she makes it every week for her family. It feels good to share a simple idea that helps a friend.

Let’s Talk Flavor

When you add the sesame oil, the smell is wonderful. It fills the whole kitchen. Doesn’t that smell amazing? The ginger and soy sauce make it taste savory and a little sweet.

The coleslaw mix gets soft and soaks up all that good sauce. The red pepper flakes give it a tiny kick. This matters because food should make all your senses happy. If you tried this, would you add more or less red pepper?

A Smart Cooking Tip

The recipe says to keep the ground beef in larger pieces. This is a great tip. It makes the texture more interesting. You get nice, juicy bites of meat mixed with the crunchy veggies.

It is tempting to break it all up. But try to resist. This small change makes a big difference. It turns simple ingredients into a special meal.

A Fun Fact For Your Day

Fun fact: The coleslaw mix is the real time-saver here. Someone else already did the slicing for you. I think that is pretty clever.

Using it here means dinner is ready in no time. This matters on busy nights. We all need meals that are easy but still feel like we cared. What is your go-to quick meal? I would love to hear your ideas.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
ground beef	1½ pounds
onion	1 large	diced finely
garlic	1 tablespoon	minced
sesame oil	2 tablespoons
carrots	½ cup	peeled and finely shredded
coleslaw mix	16 ounces
onion powder	½ teaspoon
garlic powder	½ teaspoon
red pepper flakes	½ teaspoon
ground ginger	1½ teaspoons
low-sodium soy sauce	½ to ¾ cup
vegetable oil	2 tablespoons
green onions		optional garnish

My Lazy-Day Egg Roll in a Bowl

My grandson invented this recipe on a busy Tuesday. He loved egg rolls but hated the fuss. So we threw everything into one big skillet. The smell filled the whole house. It was a huge hit.

Now we make it almost every week. It has all the good stuff from an egg roll. You get that yummy, savory taste without any rolling. Doesn’t that sound so much easier? I still laugh at that happy accident.

Here is how we make our favorite easy dinner. Just follow these simple steps.

• Step 1: Grab a big, deep skillet. Cook your ground beef over medium heat. You want it to be all brown, with no pink left. Try to keep the meat in bigger chunks. (A hard-learned tip: Bigger pieces give you a much nicer bite!).
• Step 2: Drain the extra grease from the pan. Put the skillet back on the stove. Now add your diced onion and minced garlic. Cook them until the onions look soft and clear. Keep those beef pieces nice and big. Doesn’t that smell amazing already?
• Step 3: Time for the veggies! Pour in the sesame oil. Then add your carrots and the coleslaw mix. Use your tongs to mix everything together. Let it all cook for about five minutes. I love the colorful confetti of vegetables.
• Step 4: Get a small bowl for your sauce. Put in the onion powder and garlic powder. Add the red pepper flakes and ginger. Finally, pour in the soy sauce and vegetable oil. Stir it all up well. Now pour this yummy sauce over the meat and veggies.
• Step 5: Turn the heat down to low. Let your creation cook for five more minutes. This lets all the flavors become best friends. What’s your favorite part of cooking, the smells or the tastes? Share below!

Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Dinner

Three Fun Twists to Try

This recipe is like a good friend. It is happy to change things up. Feel free to get creative in your kitchen. Here are a few ideas we love.

• Pork Swap: Use ground pork instead of beef. It gives a lighter, sweeter flavor. It reminds me of the filling in my favorite egg rolls.
• Spicy Kick: Add an extra teaspoon of red pepper flakes. My grandson does this. He says it makes the dish really wake up.
• Veggie Power: Skip the meat and add extra coleslaw mix. You could even toss in some mushrooms. It is just as filling and delicious.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving It Up Just Right

A good meal is about more than just the main dish. I love thinking about how everything comes together. It makes dinner feel special. Here is how I like to serve our egg roll in a bowl.

We always eat it in a shallow bowl. A sprinkle of chopped green onions on top looks so pretty. Sometimes I serve it over a bed of fluffy white rice. It soaks up the delicious sauce so well. A simple cucumber salad is a nice, cool side.

For a drink, a cold glass of milk is perfect for my grandson. For the grown-ups, a light, crisp lager beer pairs wonderfully. It cuts through the richness nicely. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Egg Roll in a Bowl Fresh

This dish keeps wonderfully in the fridge. Just let it cool completely first. Then pop it into an airtight container. It will stay good for up to four days. You can also freeze it for a quick future meal. Use a freezer-safe bag or container. It will be tasty for about three months.

I remember making a huge batch for my grandson’s visit. He ate two bowls but then had to leave. I froze the rest for him. He was so happy to find it on his next trip. Batch cooking like this saves you time on busy nights. It means a good meal is always close by.

Reheating is simple. Warm it in a skillet on the stove. A microwave works fine too. Just stir it halfway through. This keeps the texture just right. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Kitchen Hiccups

Is your mix getting too watery? The coleslaw lets out moisture as it cooks. Just cook it a few minutes longer. Let that extra liquid steam away. Your dish will be perfect. I once added the slaw mix straight from a cold fridge. It made everything a bit soupy. A little extra heat fixed it right up.

Worried about the flavor? Taste it before you serve. You can always add a splash more soy sauce. Getting the seasoning right builds your cooking confidence. It makes the food taste just how you like it. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Is the beef crumbling too much? The recipe says to keep the pieces larger. This gives a wonderful, hearty texture to each bite. A meatier bite makes the whole dish feel more special and satisfying. Fun fact: Keeping the beef in bigger pieces is my secret for a heartier meal.

Your Quick Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Just use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. It works just as well.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. Make it the day before. The flavors get even better overnight.

Q: I don’t have coleslaw mix. A: No problem. Just shred some cabbage yourself. A few carrots will work too.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You sure can. Use your biggest pot or skillet. It will feed a crowd.

Q: Is the garnish important? A: The green onions are optional. But they add a nice fresh crunch on top. Which tip will you try first?

A Note From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love this cozy meal as much as I do. It always brings my family to the table. I love seeing your kitchen creations. It makes me feel like we are cooking together. Share your own family’s favorite dishes with me. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!

—Anna Whitmore.