Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake

Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake

from cookingtaste.net
Main Dish
75 min
6 servings

Few dishes balance comfort, flavor, and ease like a hearty rice bake. But when you toss in tender meatballs, a sticky-sweet honey garlic glaze, and fluffy rice all baked to bubbly perfection, you’ve got a crowd-pleasing winner that deserves a permanent place in your dinner rotation. The Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is one of those magical meals that feels special but doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen. It's perfect for weeknights, family dinners, or casual get-togethers when you want something satisfying but easy to prep. The balance of savory meatballs, sweet honey, fragrant garlic, and rich baked rice makes every bite irresistibly good.   Whether you're feeding picky eaters or flavor fanatics, this dish brings everyone to the table—and keeps them coming back for seconds!

Ingredients

  • 1 lbground beef or ground chicken
  • ¼ cupbreadcrumbs
  • 1egg
  • 2 tablespoonsfinely chopped onion
  • 2 clovesgarlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoonsoy sauce
  • 1 teaspoonsesame oil (optional but recommended)
  • ½ teaspoonblack pepper
  • ¼ teaspoonsalt
  • ⅓ cuphoney
  • ¼ cupsoy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 3 tablespoonsketchup
  • 2 tablespoonswater
  • 2 clovesgarlic, finely minced
  • 1 teaspooncornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 1 cupuncooked white rice (long grain or jasmine)
  • 2 cupschicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 1 tablespoonolive oil or butter
  • ½ cupdiced bell peppers (any color)
  • ½ cupfrozen peas (no need to thaw)
  • ¼ cupchopped green onions (optional for garnish)

Directions

  1. 1

    Follow these steps closely for best results—and don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks!

  2. 2

    1. Preheat and Prepare

  3. 3

    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.

  4. 4

    2. Make the Meatballs

  5. 5

    In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper, and salt. Mix well until everything is fully incorporated, but avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.

  6. 6

    Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get around 20-24 meatballs.

  7. 7

    In a skillet over medium heat, add a splash of oil and sear the meatballs just until browned on the outside—about 2-3 minutes per side. They don’t need to cook through yet; they’ll finish in the oven.

  8. 8

    3. Prepare the Sauce

  9. 9

    In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and garlic. Stir over medium heat until it begins to bubble gently. If you want a thicker sauce, dissolve the cornstarch in a tablespoon of water and stir it in. Cook for another minute until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat.

  10. 10

    4. Assemble the Bake

  11. 11

    In your greased baking dish, spread the uncooked rice evenly across the bottom. Scatter in the diced bell peppers and frozen peas. Drizzle the olive oil or melted butter over the rice and veggies.

  12. 12

    Carefully pour the chicken broth over everything. Give it a light stir to ensure the rice is evenly distributed. Then, nestle the browned meatballs into the mixture, pressing them down slightly so they’re partly submerged.

  13. 13

    Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the top of the meatballs and rice.

  14. 14

    5. Bake to Perfection

  15. 15

    Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the top is slightly golden.

  16. 16

    Check to make sure the liquid has been absorbed and the meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).

  17. 17

    6. Garnish and Serve

  18. 18

    Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle chopped green onions over the top for a fresh, vibrant finish.