Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe

If you’re looking for a comforting, flavorful weeknight dinner that comes together in one dish, I can’t recommend this Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe enough. It’s everything you want on a busy night—savory meatballs glazed in sweet and tangy honey garlic sauce, nestled right on top of tender rice and veggies—baked together to perfection. I absolutely love how this turns out every time, and I promise you’ll find it’s easier than it sounds. Let me walk you through everything you need to know to make this your next go-to dinner.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe, the ingredients all come together to create layers of flavor and texture that blend so well while baking. Using ground beef or chicken is great depending on what you prefer, and the combination of honey, soy sauce, and garlic makes the sauce irresistibly tasty. Here’s what to grab at the store and why these work best.

• Ground beef or ground chicken: I like to use beef for richer flavor, but chicken makes it lighter and just as delicious.
• Breadcrumbs: These keep the meatballs tender and help them hold together without being dense.
• Egg: Acts as a binder so the meatballs don’t fall apart while baking.
• Onion and garlic: Fresh adds depth and that aromatic punch you want in both meatballs and sauce.
• Soy sauce: The saltiness balances the honey sweetness perfectly—go low sodium if you’re watching salt.
• Sesame oil: Totally optional but I discovered it adds a lovely toasty note. Use sparingly!
• Black pepper and salt: Basic seasonings that boost all the flavors.
• Honey: The star of the sauce for that sticky, sweet goodness.
• Ketchup: Adds a subtle tang and body to the honey garlic sauce.
• Water and cornstarch: To thin and thicken sauce as needed—cornstarch is optional but I like the texture it creates.
• Uncooked white rice (jasmine or long grain): The rice cooks right in the baking dish, soaking up all those delicious flavors.
• Chicken broth (or vegetable broth): Adds extra flavor and moisture so the rice cooks perfectly.
• Olive oil or butter: For richness and to help the veggies shine.
• Bell peppers and frozen peas: I love the pop of color and freshness they add, plus little nutritional extras.
• Green onions (optional): A bright, fresh garnish that gives the dish a little something extra when serving.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it for your taste or dietary needs. I often change up the veggies or swap ground meat based on what I have at home. Don’t be shy to make it your own!

• Use ground turkey or pork: I tried turkey once, and it made a lighter version just as tasty but a little leaner.
• Add mushrooms or spinach: Great ways to sneak in extra greens; they blend into the rice without overpowering the dish.
• Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari instead of soy sauce to keep the flavors intact.
• Spice it up: Toss in some red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha in the sauce if you like a little heat.

How to Make Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Brown Those Meatballs

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, mix all the meatball ingredients—ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, onions, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper—just until combined. I usually let the mixture rest a few minutes while I chop the veggies, which helps the flavors meld. Form into small balls about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Then, in a skillet with a little oil over medium heat, brown the meatballs on all sides for 2–3 minutes each; you’re not cooking them through but giving them a gorgeous caramelized exterior that holds up in the bake.

Step 2: Whip Up the Honey Garlic Sauce

While the meatballs cool slightly, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and minced garlic in a small saucepan. Warm it over medium heat, stirring occasionally. When it just starts bubbling, if you want thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and stir it in. Cook for one more minute until it’s glossy and coats the back of a spoon. This sauce is absolutely addictive—try not to sneak tastes!

Step 3: Layer the Rice and Veggies

Grease a 9×13 baking dish lightly, then spread the uncooked rice evenly at the bottom. Add the bell peppers and frozen peas, then drizzle olive oil or melted butter over the top. Pour the chicken broth gently so the rice is submerged, and give it a quick stir to distribute evenly. This part always impresses me because the rice absorbs so much flavor while baking.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Nestle the browned meatballs on top of the rice mixture, pressing them slightly so they sink a bit but don’t cover the whole surface. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over everything, then cover tightly with foil. Bake for 40 minutes, remove the foil, and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes until the rice is tender and sauce bubbly. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving—it helps everything set and makes it easier to dish out.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe

Garnishes

I love sprinkling chopped green onions on top just before serving—it adds a fresh crunch and a pop of color that lights up the dish. Sometimes I also add a little toasted sesame seeds for texture and a nutty hint, especially if I’ve used sesame oil in the meatballs.

Side Dishes

This Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is such a complete meal on its own, but if you want to round it out, I like to serve it alongside steamed broccoli or a simple cucumber salad for some crispness. A quick slaw with a light vinaigrette also contrasts nicely with the sweet and savory flavors here.

Creative Ways to Present

For family gatherings, I sometimes bake this recipe in individual ramekins or mini cast iron skillets—it’s fun and ensures everyone gets a perfectly portioned serving. You could also top each serving with a fried egg for brunch, turning it into a hearty, savory meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When I store mine, I separate the rice bake in meal prep containers to make reheating quick and mess-free.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish without any trouble—just make sure it’s completely cooled before tightly wrapping or placing in freezer containers. It can last up to 2 months frozen and is great for when you want a homemade meal ready to go.

Reheating

To reheat, I cover leftovers loosely with foil and pop them back into a 350°F oven until warmed through (about 20 minutes). You can also microwave portions covered with a damp paper towel to retain moisture, but I find the oven keeps the texture best.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites because it feels like home in every bite. The way the sweet, garlicky sauce glazes the meatballs while everything bakes together makes for minimal fuss but maximum flavor—and that’s my idea of a winning weeknight meal. I’m confident once you try it, you’ll keep coming back, tweaking to your own tastes, and sharing it with friends and family. Give it a go—you’ll love how simple and satisfying it is!

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