A comforting and flavorful one-dish meal featuring tender meatballs, sticky-sweet honey garlic sauce, and fluffy baked rice. Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it blends cozy comfort with vibrant flavors, all in one baking dish. It’s easy to prep, hearty enough for a family dinner, and versatile—plus the honey garlic glaze gives it that irresistible sweet-savory punch. Every time I serve it, people come back for seconds!

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Meatballs

1 lb (450 g) ground beef or ground 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 but recommended)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt

For the Honey Garlic Sauce

1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
3 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp water
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 tsp 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 tbsp 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 garnish)

directions

Preheat and prep – I preheat the oven to 375 °F (190 °C) and grease a 9×13″ baking dish.
Meatballs – In a bowl I combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper, and salt. I mix gently, roll into 1–1½″ balls (20–24 total), then brown them in a skillet for 2–3 minutes per side.
Sauce – I whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat until bubbling. For extra thickness, I stir in cornstarch mixed with a little water and cook another minute.
Assemble – I layer the rice in the greased dish, scatter the peppers and peas, drizzle olive oil or butter, then pour in the broth and stir lightly. I nestle the meatballs on top and drizzle everything with the honey garlic sauce.
Bake – Covered with foil, I bake for 40 minutes, then uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes until the rice is tender, liquid absorbed, and top slightly golden. Meatballs should reach 165 °F (74 °C).
Rest and garnish – I let it rest 5–10 minutes, then sprinkle with green onions before serving.

Servings and timing

The recipe yields about 6 servings.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 55 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Variations

Protein swaps: Use ground turkey or plant-based meatballs for lighter or vegetarian versions.
Flavor boost: Add 1 tsp grated ginger or a swirl of sriracha/chili flakes to the sauce.
Extra veggies: Mix in carrots, corn, zucchini, spinach, or any frozen mixed veggies.
Cheesy twist: In the final 10 minutes, sprinkle shredded mozzarella or cheddar for a cheesy crust.

storage/reheating

Storage

Refrigerate cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Oven: Cover with foil and bake at 350 °F (175 °C) for ~15–20 minutes.
Microwave: Heat in 1-minute increments, stirring between, adding a splash of broth to keep it moist.

FAQs

Can I assemble this ahead?

Yes! I often prep the entire dish (unbaked) a few hours ahead and refrigerate it. When ready, I bake as directed, adding about 5–10 minutes more if it goes in cold.

Can I use frozen meatballs?

Absolutely. I just brown them lightly for better texture, then proceed. Since sizes and seasoning can vary, I adjust the baking time as needed.

How do I make this vegetarian?

I swap meatballs for plant-based alternatives or hearty roasted vegetables like cauliflower or sweet potatoes, and I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

What if I want to double it?

No problem—just use a larger dish or two pans. Make sure rice has space to cook evenly, and expect to increase bake time slightly.

My rice was undercooked—what went wrong?

This can happen if foil was loose, liquid distribution was uneven, or your oven runs cool. I return it to the oven with a splash more broth, covered, for another 10–15 minutes.

Conclusion

This Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is a go-to dish when I want comfort food without fuss. It’s sweet, savory, satisfying, and easy to customize. Whether for a busy weeknight or casual dinner with friends, it always delivers flavor and smiles.