Description

This Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is a comforting, flavorful one-dish meal perfect for weeknight dinners. Juicy meatballs flavored with soy and sesame oil are seared and baked in a rich honey garlic sauce atop a bed of rice mixed with vibrant bell peppers and peas. Finished with a golden top and garnished with fresh green onions, this hearty casserole is both delicious and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Units 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)

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Instructions

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 to prevent sticking.
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, taking care not to overmix to keep the meatballs tender. Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, yielding 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 as they will finish cooking in the oven.
Prepare the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and finely minced garlic. Stir over medium heat until the sauce begins to bubble gently. For a thicker sauce, dissolve the cornstarch in a tablespoon of water and stir it in. Cook for another minute until the sauce thickens slightly, then remove from heat.
Assemble the Bake: Spread the uncooked rice evenly across the bottom of the greased baking dish. Scatter diced bell peppers and frozen peas over the rice. Drizzle olive oil or melted butter evenly on top. Carefully pour the chicken broth over everything and gently stir to distribute the rice evenly. Nestle the browned meatballs into the mixture, pressing down slightly so they are partially submerged. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the meatballs and rice.
Bake to Perfection: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. 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 that the liquid has been absorbed and the meatballs are cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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 and enjoy your hearty meal.

Notes

To keep meatballs tender, avoid overmixing the meat mixture.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, the cornstarch step is recommended but optional.
You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or beef according to preference.
Use low sodium soy sauce to control saltiness and make it healthier.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
For a vegetarian version, consider using plant-based meatballs and vegetable broth.
Make sure to check the internal temperature of meatballs to ensure food safety.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6th of recipe)
Calories: 480 kcal
Sugar: 15 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 50 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg