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Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe

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4.7 from 104 reviews

A comforting and flavorful Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake featuring tender homemade meatballs simmered in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, baked together with fragrant rice, bell peppers, and peas for a complete and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

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 but recommended)
  • 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 (or vegetable broth)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
  • 1/2 cup diced bell peppers (any color)
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas (no need to thaw)
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: 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 to prevent sticking.
  2. Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, black pepper, and salt. Mix it well without overmixing to keep the meatballs tender. Form the mixture into small meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
  3. Sear the Meatballs: Heat a splash of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and sear them until browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and minced garlic. Stir over medium heat until bubbling gently. If you prefer a thicker sauce, dissolve cornstarch in a tablespoon of water and stir it in, cooking for another minute until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat.
  5. Assemble Rice Bake: Spread uncooked rice evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle diced bell peppers and frozen peas over the rice. Drizzle olive oil or melted butter on top. Pour chicken broth over the mixture and gently stir to distribute rice and vegetables evenly.
  6. Add Meatballs and Sauce: Nestle the seared meatballs into the rice mixture, pressing them slightly so they are partially submerged. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the meatballs and rice.
  7. Bake Covered and Then Uncovered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Afterward, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the top to brown slightly.
  8. Rest and Garnish: Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven to allow flavors to meld and rice to finish cooking. Sprinkle chopped green onions on top for a fresh finish before serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground chicken with ground beef or turkey based on your preference.
  • For a thicker sauce, do not skip the cornstarch step.
  • Use low sodium soy sauce to control salt levels in the dish.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots or corn for more variety.
  • This dish reheats well and makes great leftovers.

Keywords: honey garlic meatballs, rice bake, baked meatballs, one dish meal, easy dinner, honey garlic sauce, ground beef recipe

Find it online: https://thedishspot.com/honey-garlic-meatball-rice-bake-recipe/