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.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.

Step 4

Stir in the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper, mixing well to coat the beef evenly.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

Drizzle your preferred dressing over the top and serve immediately. Let everyone customize their haystacks with their favorite toppings!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2956.2 grams (2956.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3297

Total Fat 206.10g	264%
Saturated Fat 70.70g	354%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 481mg	160%
Sodium 6323mg	275%
Total Carbohydrate 240.10g	87%
Dietary Fiber 18.90g	68%
Total Sugars 23.50g
Protein 129.40g	259%

Vitamin D 24IU	120%
Calcium 1279mg	98%
Iron 17mg	94%
Potassium 3229mg	69%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.7%

Protein: 15.5%

Carbs: 28.8%