Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake: 7 Delicious Family Wins

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If your weeknights feel like a juggling act between dinner, laundry, and remembering to sign that school permission slip (we’ve all been there), this Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is about to become your new best friend. It’s hearty, sweet-savory, and the best part? The oven does most of the heavy lifting while you catch your breath.

Think of it as a one-pan hug: juicy meatballs, fluffy rice, colorful veggies, and a glossy honey garlic sauce that ties it all together. Honestly, it’s comfort food with a little sparkle.

Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake

One-pan wonder – Less cleanup, more relaxing.
Family-friendly flavors – Sweet, garlicky, and not too spicy, so picky eaters won’t rebel.
Meal prep friendly – Leftovers reheat beautifully (hello, next-day lunch!).
Balanced and satisfying – Protein, veggies, and carbs all in one cozy dish.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into this crowd-pleasing bake. Don’t worry—it’s pantry-staple friendly!

For the Meatballs

1 lb ground beef or 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 lovely)
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)
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 veggie broth)
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
1/2 cup diced bell peppers
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup chopped green onions (for garnish)

How To Make Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake : Step-by-Step

1. Preheat & Prep

Start by heating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This gives it time to get nice and hot while you work on the meatballs. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray or a drizzle of oil—this prevents sticking and makes cleanup way easier later.

Pro tip: If you’re using butter for a richer flavor, let it melt directly in the baking dish while the oven warms. It’ll give your rice and veggies a buttery head start.

2. Mix & Shape the Meatballs

In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper, and salt. Mix gently with clean hands or a fork until just combined. The trick here is not to overwork the meat—think of it like handling biscuit dough: too much mixing makes it tough.

Scoop out about a tablespoon of mixture and roll it between your palms to form balls about 1–1.5 inches in size. You should get around 20–24 meatballs. Don’t stress if they’re not perfectly round—rustic is charming, and they’ll taste just as delicious.

3. Brown the Meatballs

Heat a splash of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches (avoid crowding the pan) and sear them for about 2–3 minutes per side, until they’re golden brown on the outside.

Important note: They don’t need to be cooked all the way through at this stage—the oven will finish the job. The browning step is just to lock in flavor and give them that irresistible crust.

4. Whisk the Honey Garlic Sauce

While the meatballs rest, grab a small saucepan and whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and garlic. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Want a thicker, stickier sauce? Dissolve the cornstarch in a tablespoon of water and stir it in. Let it simmer for another minute until it glazes the spoon slightly. At this point, your kitchen will smell so good, you’ll want to eat the sauce by the spoonful (no judgment if you taste-test).

5. Build the Bake

Now for the fun part—layering! Spread the uncooked rice evenly across the bottom of your greased dish. Sprinkle the diced bell peppers and frozen peas over the rice like colorful confetti.

Drizzle the olive oil or melted butter over the top for extra flavor, then carefully pour in the chicken broth. Give it a gentle stir just to make sure the rice is evenly spread.

Nestle the browned meatballs right into the rice mixture, pressing them down slightly so they’re partly submerged (like little islands in a sea of broth). Finally, pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the top. Every bite of rice will soak up that sweet-savory goodness.

6. Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil—this traps the steam so the rice cooks evenly. Bake for 40 minutes, then remove the foil and bake another 10–15 minutes to let the top get golden and a little caramelized.

When done, the rice should be fluffy and tender, and the meatballs fully cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If you peek and see the rice needs just a touch more liquid, add a splash of broth and bake a few extra minutes.

7. Rest & Serve

Once it’s out of the oven, resist the urge to dig in right away. Let the bake rest for 5–10 minutes—this gives the rice time to settle and makes serving much easier.

Sprinkle chopped green onions on top for a fresh pop of color and flavor. Serve it straight from the pan family-style, or dish it up into bowls for a cozy, comfort-filled dinner.

Tips for the Best Bake

Don’t overmix meatballs – Gentle mixing = tender bites.
Rice check – If rice still seems undercooked, add a splash of broth and bake another 5 minutes.
Make-ahead tip – Assemble in the morning, refrigerate, and bake when you get home. Dinner with zero stress!

Fun fact: This recipe once saved me on a week when I had three back-to-back soccer practices to shuttle kids to, plus a work deadline. I popped it in the oven, and by the time I wrangled everyone home, dinner was hot, ready, and smelling like comfort itself.

Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake in a glass dish with glazed meatballs, fluffy rice, and colorful peppers, topped with fresh green onions. — This Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake combines juicy meatballs, tender rice, and veggies in one flavorful, oven-baked dish.

FAQs About Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake

Can I use frozen meatballs instead of homemade?

Yes! Just brown them a bit before baking so they hold up nicely.

Can I substitute the rice?

Absolutely. Jasmine or long-grain white works best, but brown rice takes longer (add about 15 minutes).

How do I store leftovers?

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven with a splash of broth to keep it moist.

A Cozy Dish Worth Repeating

This Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is more than just dinner—it’s a sanity-saver for busy nights and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at the table. Sweet, savory, and baked to golden perfection, it’s the kind of meal that makes the whole house smell like comfort.

Next time life feels a little too hectic, let this dish remind you that the oven can do the hard work while you take a well-deserved breather.

More Comfort Food Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this cozy Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake, you’ll definitely want to check out a few more dishes that bring the same kind of flavor-packed comfort to your table:

Craving something with a little Italian flair? Try these juicy Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches—they’re tender, savory, and perfect for busy weeknights.
For another rice-based comfort dish, this Beef Pepper Rice Bowl is quick, hearty, and full of flavor.
Looking for a lighter but still satisfying option? This Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta makes a delicious, fresh dinner that feels restaurant-worthy.
And if you’re in the mood for a cozy soup night, this Mexican Street Corn Soup brings creamy, cheesy goodness with a little kick of spice.

These recipes are just as easy, comforting, and family-approved as tonight’s bake—so go ahead and bookmark a few for your next meal plan!