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Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe

Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 19 reviews

This Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is a comforting and flavorful one-dish meal featuring tender meatballs cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, layered atop fluffy rice with colorful vegetables. It combines the ease of a casserole with the delicious taste of homemade meatballs, perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prepping.

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. 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. You should get around 20-24 meatballs. 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.
  3. Prepare the Sauce: 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.
  4. Assemble the Bake: 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.
  5. Bake to Perfection: 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. Check to make sure the liquid has been absorbed and the meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
  6. Garnish and Serve: Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle chopped green onions over the top for a fresh, vibrant finish.

Notes

  • If you prefer, ground chicken can be replaced with ground turkey or pork for different flavors.
  • Using low sodium soy sauce helps control the saltiness of the dish.
  • Sesame oil is optional but adds a nice depth of flavor to the meatballs.
  • The cornstarch in the sauce is optional but thickens the glaze for better coating.
  • Feel free to swap vegetables based on availability, such as adding corn or carrots.
  • Make sure the meatballs are partially submerged in the broth to ensure even cooking.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic meatball rice bake, one dish meal, baked meatballs, easy dinner, comfort food, casserole, honey garlic sauce

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