Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe
A comforting, easy one-dish meal featuring juicy meatballs baked in a sticky honey garlic sauce over tender rice. Perfect for busy weeknights, this family-friendly casserole is customizable with your choice of meat, vegetables, and optional cheese topping.
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish (glass or ceramic preferred)
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or fork
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Oven thermometer (optional)
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef, pork, chicken, or turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Rice Bake:
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice (jasmine or basmati recommended)
- 3 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (bell peppers, peas, carrots, broccoli)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix gently and form into 1-1.5 inch meatballs.
- Make sauce: Whisk honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a bowl until smooth.
- Assemble: Spread uncooked rice evenly in baking dish. Arrange meatballs on top. Scatter vegetables around meatballs. Pour honey garlic sauce evenly over everything.
- Cover dish tightly with foil and bake 40–50 minutes until rice is tender and meatballs cooked through (internal temp 160°F/71°C for beef/pork; 165°F/74°C for poultry).
- Optional: Remove foil, sprinkle cheese evenly, and bake uncovered 10 more minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh green onions or parsley if desired. Enjoy hot.
Notes
- Rice choice: White jasmine or basmati works best; brown rice requires pre-cooking.
- Meat alternatives: Swap for turkey, chicken, or plant-based meatballs for dietary preferences.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Vegetables: Add or substitute with your favorites — zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach work well.
- Storage: Keeps in fridge 3-4 days; freezes well for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Oven reheating preserves texture best; microwave works for quick meals.
- Make ahead: Assemble, cover, refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.