Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake 

This Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is a comforting one-pan meal that combines savory meatballs with a sweet and tangy honey garlic sauce, all baked over fluffy rice. It's a perfect dish for busy weeknights, offering a balance of flavors and textures that the whole family will enjoy.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

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)

• 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

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

• 1/2 cup diced bell peppers

• 1/2 cup frozen peas (no need to thaw)

• 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional for garnish)

Directions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch 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.

3. Sear the 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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).

7. 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.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

• Calories: Approximately 745 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 46 g

• Protein: 52 g

• Fat: 39 g

• Saturated Fat: 16 g

• Cholesterol: 223 mg

• Sodium: 391 mg

• Potassium: 256 mg

• Fiber: 1 g

• Sugar: 40 g