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–+ servings
Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake

Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake for Cozy Family Dinners

A comforting one-dish meal filled with savory meatballs and fluffy rice, ideal for busy weeknight dinners or family gatherings, featuring the delightful flavors of honey and garlic.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Comfort Food
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 lb Ground Beef or Ground Chicken Substitute with plant-based meat for vegetarian option.
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free version.
  • 1 large Egg Can substitute with a flax egg for a vegan option.
  • 1 medium Onion (finely chopped) Shallots or leeks can be used instead.
  • 3 cloves Garlic (minced) Garlic powder can substitute if needed.
  • to taste Black Pepper
  • to taste Salt
For the Sauce
  • 1/4 cup Soy Sauce Tamari can be used for a gluten-free substitute.
  • 1 tbsp Sesame Oil Substitute with olive oil if unavailable.
  • 1/4 cup Honey Maple syrup makes a great vegan option.
  • 1/4 cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce Regular soy sauce is fine but increases sodium content.
  • 2 tbsp Ketchup Can substitute with tomato paste and a bit of sugar.
  • 1/4 cup Water Broth can add more flavor.
  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch Optional thickener; omit for a thinner consistency.
For the Bake
  • 1 cup Uncooked White Rice Brown rice can be used but may need extra liquid and cooking time.
  • 2 cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth Choose low sodium if watching sodium intake.
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil or Butter Use oil for a dairy-free option.
  • 1 cup Diced Bell Peppers Any color works or substitute with other vegetables.
  • 1 cup Frozen Peas No need to thaw, other frozen veggies work too.
  • 2 tbsp Chopped Green Onions Optional garnish for fresh flavor.

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Large bowl
  • Skillet
  • Saucepan
  • baking dish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef or chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, black pepper, and salt. Mix gently until just combined.
  3. Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, aiming for 20 to 24 meatballs.
  4. Sear the meatballs in a skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
  5. In a saucepan, mix honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and additional minced garlic. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add cornstarch if a thicker sauce is desired.
  6. Layer uncooked rice in the baking dish, followed by bell peppers and peas. Drizzle with olive oil or melted butter and pour the broth over everything.
  7. Nestle the browned meatballs into the rice and vegetable mixture, covering with the prepared honey garlic sauce.
  8. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until rice is tender and meatballs reach 165°F (74°C).
  9. Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, garnishing with chopped green onions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 3mg

Notes

This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

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