Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe

If you’re craving something deeply comforting yet delightfully flavorful, look no further than this Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake. It’s a one-pan wonder with tender meatballs, fragrant jasmine rice, sweet-savory honey garlic sauce, and pops of colorful veggies—all baked to perfection. Whether you’re feeding family on a busy weeknight or impressing friends with minimal effort, this bake will quickly become your go-to for a cozy, crowd-pleasing meal.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake lies in its simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Every item on this list plays a crucial role in building flavor, providing texture, or adding a pop of color to your final casserole masterpiece.

• Ground Beef or Chicken: The heart of your meatballs; choose whichever you prefer for a different spin on flavor and juiciness.
• Breadcrumbs: They bind the meatballs together and help create a tender texture.
• Egg: Acts as a glue to keep your meatballs intact.
• Finely Chopped Onion: Adds sweet savoriness to every bite.
• Garlic (minced): Brings out aromatic depth essential to both the meatballs and the sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Adds umami and enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Sesame Oil (optional): Just a splash, but it delivers a gorgeous nutty aroma.
• Black Pepper: Balances the sweetness with mild, peppery warmth.
• Salt: Just enough to round out the seasoning.
• Honey: The star ingredient in your sauce—its natural sweetness creates that irresistible glaze.
• Ketchup: Gives body and a hint of tang to the honey garlic sauce.
• Water: Keeps your sauce the perfect consistency.
• Cornstarch (optional): For those who enjoy a thicker, glossy sauce.
• White Rice (long grain or jasmine): The hearty base that soaks up all those delicious flavors.
• Chicken Broth (or vegetable): Infuses the rice with savory goodness and keeps everything tender.
• Olive Oil or Butter: Adds richness and helps with that golden top.
• Diced Bell Peppers: Brings juicy crunch and color to the bake.
• Frozen Peas: No need to thaw—just toss them in for bursts of green and sweetness.
• Chopped Green Onions (optional): The perfect, vibrant finishing touch before serving.

How to Make Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by setting your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s ready to work its magic. Grab your favorite 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a light coating of oil or cooking spray. This will make cleanup a breeze and ensure that nothing sticks.

Step 2: Make the Meatballs

Combine your ground meat with breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper, and salt in a large bowl. Mix just until everything comes together; overmixing can make the meatballs tough. Roll them into small balls about 1 to 1.5 inches across—you’ll get around 20 to 24. Then, quickly sear the meatballs in a skillet (about 2-3 minutes per side) just to brown the outsides. There’s no need to cook them through—they’ll finish up in the oven.

Step 3: Prepare the Sauce

In a small saucepan, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and minced garlic. Bring it to a gentle bubble over medium heat. If you like a thicker sauce, stir in cornstarch (mixed with a splash of water first) and simmer for another minute. The aroma alone will have you hungry already!

Step 4: Assemble the Bake

Scatter the uncooked rice evenly over the bottom of your greased baking dish. Add in your diced bell peppers and frozen peas, then drizzle with olive oil or melted butter. Pour the chicken broth over everything and give it a gentle stir. Nestle your browned meatballs into the rice mixture so they’re cozily nestled but not totally submerged. Generously spoon or pour your honey garlic sauce over the top, letting it trickle down amongst the meatballs and rice.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover your dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Then, remove the foil and let it bake for another 10-15 minutes until the rice is fluffy and the top is lightly golden. Double-check that the liquid is fully absorbed and the meatballs are cooked through—the internal temp should hit 165°F (74°C).

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Don’t skip the final flourish! Let your Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake rest for about 5-10 minutes. Just before serving, sprinkle chopped green onions over the top for a touch of color and freshness. Now, dig in and watch everyone swoon.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake

Garnishes

This dish shines with a shower of vibrant green onions on top. For a little extra pizzazz, try adding sesame seeds or even a quick sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro—each bite feels extra-special and looks beautiful on the table.

Side Dishes

Since the Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is so hearty, a simple side really rounds out your meal. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or some lightly steamed broccoli are perfect. If you’re feeling adventurous, a few fresh spring rolls or pickled vegetables balance the sweet-savory flavors beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re serving guests, scoop generous portions into shallow bowls and sprinkle with extra garnishes for a restaurant-worthy look. For fun family dinners, try baking and serving the dish in individual ramekins so everyone gets their own mini bake—kids and adults both love it!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Transfer any leftover Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake to airtight containers and refrigerate within two hours. It’ll keep well for up to 4 days, making it a fabulous grab-and-go lunch or a quick dinner to reheat midweek.

Freezing

You can freeze this bake for up to 2 months. Cool completely, portion into airtight containers, and label with the date. For best results, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. The meatballs and rice may soften slightly but the flavors hold up wonderfully.

Reheating

For single servings, just microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water to prevent the rice from drying out. To reheat a larger portion, cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) until steaming hot—usually about 15-20 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

You can! Just keep in mind that brown rice takes longer to cook and may need an extra 15-20 minutes in the oven. You might also want to add a little more broth to ensure the rice is tender.

Can I make this Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can assemble the entire dish (uncooked) a few hours in advance and refrigerate. Let it come to room temperature before baking as directed for best results.

Do I have to use both peas and bell peppers?

Not at all—feel free to swap in your family’s favorite veggies, like corn, carrots, or even edamame. The Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is fantastically versatile, so make it your own!

What’s the best way to keep the meatballs tender?

Mix the meatball ingredients gently and avoid overworking the meat. Searing just until browned—not cooking through—also keeps them juicy and ensures they finish baking to perfection in the oven.

Is this dish gluten-free?

With a few easy swaps—like using gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari instead of soy sauce—you can adapt this bake for gluten-free diets without sacrificing any flavor.

Final Thoughts

If you’re on the lookout for a new family favorite, you just can’t go wrong with this Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake. It’s equal parts comforting, flavorful, and so easy that you’ll want to make it again and again. Dive in—you’ll be hearing requests for seconds before you know it!

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