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Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe

Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 23 reviews

This Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is a comforting and flavorful one-dish meal combining tender, homemade meatballs glazed in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, baked over fluffy rice and vibrant vegetables. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this fusion of Asian-inspired flavors with classic baking techniques delivers juicy meatballs, perfectly cooked rice, and veggies all in one dish.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef or ground chicken
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional but recommended)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

For the Rice Bake:

  • 1 cup uncooked white rice (long grain or jasmine)
  • 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
  • 1/2 cup diced bell peppers (any color)
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas (no need to thaw)
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch (or similar-sized) baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of oil to ensure the rice bake doesn’t stick.
  2. Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, black pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly but avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender. Form the mixture into small meatballs roughly 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter—you should get about 20-24 meatballs. Heat a skillet over medium heat with a splash of oil and sear the meatballs until just browned on the outside, about 2-3 minutes per side. The meatballs will finish cooking in the oven.
  3. Prepare the Sauce: In a small saucepan, mix honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and minced garlic. Stir over medium heat until it begins to bubble gently. For a thicker sauce, dissolve the cornstarch in a tablespoon of water and stir into the mixture. Continue cooking for another minute until the sauce slightly thickens, then remove from heat.
  4. Assemble the Bake: Spread the uncooked rice evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Scatter in the diced bell peppers and frozen peas. Drizzle olive oil or melted butter on top. Pour the chicken broth evenly over everything and gently stir to distribute the rice and vegetables. Nestle the browned meatballs into the mixture, pressing them down slightly so they are partially submerged. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the top of the meatballs and rice.
  5. Bake to Perfection: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Afterward, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and the top is lightly golden. Make sure the liquid is absorbed and the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  6. Garnish and Serve: Allow the bake to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven. Garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish before serving your hearty Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake.

Notes

  • Ground beef or chicken can be interchanged based on preference or dietary needs.
  • Use low sodium soy sauce and broth to control salt content.
  • Sesame oil adds extra depth but can be omitted if unavailable.
  • If desired, substitute white rice with brown rice but increase cooking time accordingly.
  • The cornstarch in the sauce helps thicken it; omit if you prefer a thinner glaze.
  • Letting the dish rest after baking helps the rice fully absorb the flavors and makes serving easier.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic meatballs, rice bake, one dish meal, easy dinner, comfort food, Asian-inspired, baked rice casserole

Find it online: https://lucabites.com/honey-garlic-meatball-rice-bake-recipe/