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Baked honey garlic meatballs over rice in a casserole dish, garnished with green onions.

Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe | Easy One-Pan Dinner with Sweet & Savory Sauce

This Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is the ultimate weeknight comfort meal—juicy meatballs baked over fluffy rice and coated in a sticky-sweet honey garlic sauce. It’s a one-pan wonder that’s easy to prep, full of flavor, and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd. With tender meatballs, savory garlic, and a hint of sweetness in every bite, this dish is a cozy, satisfying favorite for both kids and adults. Serve with steamed veggies or a crisp salad for a complete meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Asian-Inspired, Comfort Food, Fusion
Servings 6
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Skillet or baking sheet
  • Whisk
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Aluminum foil
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef or chicken
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Honey Garlic Sauce

  • ⅓ cup honey
  • ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Rice Bake Base

  • 1 cup uncooked white or jasmine rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers
  • ½ cup frozen peas

Garnish (optional)

  • Chopped scallions
  • Sesame seeds

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Make meatballs: Mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Shape into 1-inch balls.
  • Brown meatballs: Sear in skillet or bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly browned.
  • Prepare sauce: Whisk honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and garlic until smooth.
  • Assemble bake: In a 9x13 inch dish, layer uncooked rice, broth, bell peppers, and peas. Place meatballs evenly on top.
  • Add sauce: Pour honey garlic sauce over meatballs and rice.
  • Bake covered: Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45–50 minutes.
  • Finish uncovered: Remove foil, stir gently, and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes.
  • Rest: Let sit for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish if desired.

Notes

  • Use lean meat and extra veggies for a lighter version.
  • Brown rice works but requires more liquid and longer bake time.
  • Make meatballs ahead and freeze for quick assembly.
  • Taste sauce before baking to adjust sweetness or salt.
  • Bake in disposable pans for easy freezer meals.
  • Great for lunchboxes—just add a drizzle of extra sauce when reheating.
 
Keyword family dinner,, freezer-friendly, Honey garlic, meal prep, meatballs, one-pan, rice bake