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Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 135 reviews

This Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is a comforting one-dish meal combining juicy, seared meatballs coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, layered over fluffy rice, colorful bell peppers, and peas. Perfect for family dinners, this easy-to-make casserole bakes to tender perfection, giving you a harmonious blend of flavors and textures in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

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

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)

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: Preheat 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 prevent sticking.
  2. Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, black pepper, and salt. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs. Shape into 20-24 small meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. In a medium skillet over medium heat, add a splash of oil and brown the meatballs on all sides for 2-3 minutes per side. They don’t need to be fully cooked yet as they will finish in the oven.
  3. Prepare the Sauce: In a small saucepan, mix honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and minced garlic. Heat over medium heat until it starts to bubble gently. To thicken, dissolve cornstarch in a tablespoon of water and stir it into the sauce. Cook an additional minute until slightly thickened, then remove from heat.
  4. Assemble the Bake: Spread uncooked rice evenly on the bottom of the greased baking dish. Scatter diced bell peppers and frozen peas over the rice. Drizzle olive oil or melted butter across the mixture. Pour chicken broth evenly over everything and gently stir to distribute. Nestle the browned meatballs into the rice mixture, pressing them slightly so they are partially submerged. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the top.
  5. Bake to Perfection: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the rice is tender, liquid absorbed, the sauce is slightly caramelized, and meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  6. Garnish and Serve: Allow the dish to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to let flavors meld and the bake set. Sprinkle chopped green onions on top for a fresh pop of color and flavor before serving.

Notes

  • For a lower sodium version, use low sodium soy sauce.
  • You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or beef depending on preference.
  • Sesame oil is optional but adds a delicious, nutty depth to the meatballs.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, the cornstarch can be omitted for a thinner glaze or increased for extra thickening.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat well.
  • You can add other vegetables like carrots or corn for variation.

Keywords: Honey Garlic Meatballs, Rice Bake, One Dish Meal, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner Recipe

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