Haystacks or Chinese Sundaes
Experience a fun and flavorful meal with this crowd-pleasing Haystacks (also known as Chinese Sundaes) recipe! Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, this customizable dish starts with a hearty base of fluffy white or brown rice, topped with savory ground beef or turkey simmered in a rich, umami-packed sauce featuring soy and Worcestershire sauces. Pile on fresh, crunchy toppings like shredded lettuce, juicy diced tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese for added indulgence. Finish with a satisfying crunch from crushed tortilla chips or chow mein noodles and a drizzle of creamy ranch or tangy soy-ginger dressing. Quick to prepare and endlessly versatile, these build-your-own rice bowls appeal to both kids and adults alike, making them an easy go-to for a weeknight meal or potluck centerpiece.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups White or brown rice
- 4 cups Water
- 1 pound Ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 Yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Water (for cornstarch slurry)
- 2 cups Lettuce, shredded
- 2 Tomato, diced
- 1 Cucumber, diced
- 1 cup Shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
- 1 cup Crushed tortilla chips or chow mein noodles
- 0.5 cup Ranch dressing or soy-ginger dressing
Instructions
Rinse the rice under cold water, then combine it with 4 cups of water in a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked.
While the rice cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or turkey) and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.
Stir in the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper, mixing well to coat the beef evenly.
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Slowly pour it into the skillet, stirring constantly, and let the sauce thicken (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat.
Prepare the toppings: shred the lettuce, dice the tomatoes and cucumber, and set up the crushed tortilla chips or chow mein noodles, shredded cheese, and dressing of your choice.
To assemble the haystacks, start with a scoop of rice as the base on each plate. Top with a generous spoonful of the meat sauce, then layer with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, and crushed chips or chow mein noodles.
Drizzle your preferred dressing over the top and serve immediately. Let everyone customize their haystacks with their favorite toppings!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
813 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 51.1 g | 66% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.5 g | 87% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 120 mg | 40% | |
| Sodium | 1467 mg | 64% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 57.9 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.0 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.7 g | ||
| Protein | 31.6 g | 63% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 311 mg | 24% | |
| Iron | 4.7 mg | 26% | |
| Potassium | 664 mg | 14% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
