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Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe

Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe

4.8 from 23 reviews

This Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines juicy meatballs in a sweet and savory sauce with tender rice and vegetables, all baked to perfection. It’s a one-pan meal that’s sure to become a family favorite!

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.
  2. Make the Meatballs – In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper, and salt. Form into meatballs, brown in a skillet, but do not fully cook.
  3. Prepare the Sauce – Combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and garlic in a saucepan. Thicken with cornstarch if desired.
  4. Assemble the Bake – Layer rice, bell peppers, peas, and meatballs in the baking dish. Pour chicken broth over everything and top with the sauce.
  5. Bake to Perfection – Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until rice is cooked through.
  6. Garnish and Serve – Let it rest, sprinkle with green onions, and enjoy!

Nutrition

Keywords: Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake, Meatball Bake, One-Pan Meal, Asian Inspired, Comfort Food