Description
Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is a flavorful and hearty dish, combining tender meatballs in a sticky honey garlic sauce over a bed of rice and vegetables. Perfect for a family dinner!
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
- 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.
- 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. Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the top of the meatballs and rice.
- 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.
- Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle chopped green onions over the top for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- Your internal temperature for cooked meatballs should reach 165°F (74°C).
- You can use any variety of bell peppers for color and flavor.
- This dish is great for meal prep and leftovers!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg