Description
Heavenly Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is a comforting, all-in-one dish perfect for cozy nights. Tender, flavorful meatballs made from ground beef or chicken are seared and baked atop a bed of seasoned rice, vegetables, and a luscious honey garlic sauce. This bake combines sweet, savory, and umami flavors with a satisfying texture contrast, delivering a family-friendly meal that’s simple to prepare and full of warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef or chicken
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (panko recommended)
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp finely chopped onion (yellow onion preferred)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium optional)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Rice and Vegetables
- 1 cup uncooked white rice (long grain or jasmine)
- 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth as a substitute)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers (any color)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas (no need to thaw)
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish using cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking during baking.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, sesame oil, black pepper, and salt. Stir until just combined to maintain tender meatballs.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small meatballs approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, yielding about 20 to 24 meatballs.
- Sear Meatballs: Heat a skillet over medium heat with a splash of oil. Quickly sear the meatballs for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. This seals in flavor and texture.
- Prepare Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and minced garlic. Stir continuously until the mixture bubbles. If a thicker sauce is preferred, dissolve cornstarch in a little water and stir it into the sauce until it thickens slightly.
- Assemble Rice and Veggies: Evenly spread the uncooked rice across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle diced bell peppers and frozen peas over the rice. Drizzle with olive oil or melted butter to add richness.
- Add Broth and Meatballs: Pour chicken broth over the rice and vegetables, ensuring the rice is submerged for proper cooking. Place the seared meatballs evenly into the rice mixture, nestling them gently.
- Top with Sauce: Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the meatballs and rice, spreading it evenly to cover the dish.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. This allows the rice to cook and flavors to meld.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes to allow the top to become slightly golden and the rice fully cooked.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the dish rest for 5 to 10 minutes after baking to set. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving for a fresh burst of flavor and color.
Notes
- Using panko breadcrumbs will yield a crispier texture in the meatballs.
- Low sodium soy sauce is recommended to control salt content.
- Choose ground chicken for a lighter version or ground beef for richer flavor.
- Long grain or jasmine rice provides the best fluffy texture after baking.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, do not skip adding cornstarch slurry.
- Frozen peas add color and sweetness without needing to be thawed.
- Letting the dish rest after baking helps the rice absorb remaining liquid for optimal texture.
