Description
Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is a comforting and flavorful casserole combining tender homemade meatballs with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, layered over fragrant uncooked rice and vegetables, then baked to perfection in the oven. This one-dish meal is easy to prepare, serving approximately six people, making it perfect for family dinners or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef or chicken
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Rice Bake
- 1 cup uncooked rice (long grain or jasmine)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1/2 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
- 1 tbsp cooking oil (e.g., vegetable or olive oil)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a suitable baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Form and Brown Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small meatballs. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the meatballs until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through. This step helps seal in the juices and adds flavor.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and minced garlic. Heat over medium heat until the sauce starts bubbling, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
- Assemble the Rice Layer: In the greased baking dish, spread the uncooked rice evenly. Scatter diced bell peppers and peas over the rice, drizzle with oil, and pour the chicken broth evenly over everything.
- Add Meatballs and Sauce: Nestle the browned meatballs gently into the rice and vegetable mixture. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce on top, ensuring the meatballs get coated.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and cooked through, and the sauce is bubbling.
Notes
- Use long grain or jasmine rice for best texture in this bake.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground chicken or turkey for a leaner option.
- Ensure meatballs are browned but not fully cooked before baking to keep them juicy.
- Adjust honey and soy sauce ratios in the sauce to control sweetness and saltiness.
- Covering the baking dish helps steam the rice and meatballs evenly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
