Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is the ultimate comfort food made simple. Tender homemade meatballs are lightly browned, then baked over fluffy rice with colorful vegetables and finished with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Everything cooks together in one dish, making this an easy, family-friendly dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients for Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake
Meatballs
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ground beef or chicken | 1 lb |
| Breadcrumbs | ¼ cup |
| Egg | 1 |
| Onion, finely chopped | 2 Tbsp |
| Garlic, minced | 2 cloves |
| Soy sauce | 1 Tbsp |
| Sesame oil (optional) | 1 tsp |
| Black pepper | ½ tsp |
| Salt | ¼ tsp |
Honey Garlic Sauce
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Honey | ⅓ cup |
| Soy sauce (low sodium) | ¼ cup |
| Ketchup | 3 Tbsp |
| Water | 2 Tbsp |
| Garlic, minced | 2 cloves |
| Cornstarch (optional) | 1 tsp |
Rice Bake
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Uncooked white rice | 1 cup |
| Chicken broth | 2 cups |
| Olive oil or butter | 1 Tbsp |
| Bell peppers, diced | ½ cup |
| Frozen peas | ½ cup |
| Green onions (garnish) | ¼ cup |
- Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
A comforting honey garlic meatball rice bake with tender meatballs, fluffy rice, and a sweet-savory sauce baked together in one dish. Perfect for easy family dinners.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
1 lb ground beef or chicken
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 Tbsp finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp soy sauce
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
3 Tbsp ketchup
2 Tbsp water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp cornstarch (optional)
Rice Bake:
1 cup uncooked white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 Tbsp olive oil or butter
1/2 cup diced bell peppers
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease baking dish.
2. Mix meatball ingredients and form into small balls.
3. Brown meatballs in skillet, then set aside.
4. Simmer sauce ingredients until slightly thickened.
5. Spread rice, peppers, and peas in baking dish.
6. Add broth and oil, then nestle meatballs in rice.
7. Pour sauce over top.
8. Cover and bake 40 minutes.
9. Uncover and bake 10–15 minutes more.
10. Rest, garnish, and serve.
Notes
Use long-grain rice only.
Rest before serving.
Store leftovers up to 3 days refrigerated.
Freeze leftovers up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 55 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper, and salt. Mix just until combined. Form into 20–24 small meatballs.
Heat a skillet over medium heat with a little oil. Brown the meatballs for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden. Set aside.
In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and garlic. Simmer until bubbly. Stir in cornstarch slurry if using and cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
Spread uncooked rice evenly in the baking dish. Add bell peppers and peas. Drizzle with olive oil or butter and pour broth over the top. Stir lightly.
Nestle the meatballs into the rice mixture. Pour honey garlic sauce evenly over everything.
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until rice is tender and meatballs reach 165°F.
Let rest 5–10 minutes. Garnish with green onions and serve.
Tips for Best Results
Use long-grain or jasmine rice for fluffy texture.
Do not skip browning the meatballs it adds flavor.
Let the dish rest before serving so the rice absorbs remaining liquid.
Conclusion
Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is a cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner that combines sweet, savory, and comforting flavors in one easy dish. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, it’s a recipe you’ll want on repeat for family dinners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice?
Yes, but increase liquid and baking time.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, freeze in airtight containers up to 2 months.
Can I use ground turkey?
Absolutely ground turkey works well.