Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Comfort Food Reimagined

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook: Craving comfort food with a twist?

Ever get that hankering for something warm, comforting, and downright delicious? This Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake hits all those spots! Honestly, it's my go-to when I want a quick and easy meal with a killer sticky-sweet, savory flavour profile.

Brief Overview: Where did this idea come from?

This dish is a nod to those classic Asian-American takeout flavours we all know and love. It is a modern take on the traditional rice bake, ready in about an hour.

This easy meatball recipe makes 4 generous servings!

Main Benefits: Why you'll LOVE it

This meatball rice bake is a complete one-pan meal, meaning fewer dishes! Packed with protein from the meatballs, it's also surprisingly nourishing.

It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. What makes it special? The perfectly balanced honey garlic sauce.

Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake Comfort Food Reimagined Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:40 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef or ground turkey (80/20 blend recommended for flavor)
• 1/3 cup (35g) plain breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/3 cup (80ml) honey
• 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
• 1 tbsp (15ml) rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp (30ml) cold water (for slurry)
• 1 cup (180g) uncooked white rice (jasmine or long grain)
• 2 cups (475ml) chicken broth or water
• 1 cup (115g) frozen peas and carrots (optional)
• 1/2 cup (50g) diced yellow onion (optional)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• Chopped green onions (Optional)
• Sesame seeds (Optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Combine meatball ingredients in a large bowl. Mix gently until just combined (avoid overmixing). Roll into roughly 1-inch meatballs.
• In the prepared baking dish, combine rice, broth, olive oil/butter, peas/carrots, and onion. Stir to distribute ingredients evenly.
• Place meatballs on top of the rice mixture in a single layer.
• Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until rice is tender and meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). Cover with foil during the last 10 minutes if the liquid evaporates too quickly.
• While the bake is cooking, combine honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in cornstarch slurry. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened (2-3 minutes).
• Drizzle the honey garlic sauce evenly over the cooked rice and meatballs. Bake for an additional 5 minutes (optional) to caramelize the sauce slightly.
• Sprinkle with green onions or sesame seeds, if desired. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450-550

Fat:20-25g

Fiber:0g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Asian-American

Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake: Comfort Food Reimagined

Okay, mate, let's talk about dinner – a proper one pan meal , that is! This Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake is my new favourite, and honestly, it should be yours too.

Inspired by Asian-American takeout flavours, but made right at home? Bangin'! It's savory, it's sweet, and it's so easy, even I can't mess it up.

Seriously, easy meatball recipe doesn't even cover it!

What Makes This Recipe Pop?

Think juicy meatballs swimming in a crazy good honey garlic sauce recipe , nestled on a bed of fluffy rice.

Seriously, this is comfort food recipe at its finest, taken to a whole new level. It is a delightful honey garlic meatball rice that combines savory, juicy meatballs with fluffy rice.

Prep Time: Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor

You are looking at about 20 minutes of prep time. Then it is 40 minutes in the oven, and the total time is one hour.

This weeknight dinner idea is also perfect for a chilled Sunday afternoon when you have a craving for a delicious dinner.

The Secret Ingredient: The Honey Garlic Sauce

The key to this whole shebang is the honey garlic sauce recipe . It is a glorious mix of honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and garlic.

It simmers on the stovetop while the rice and meatballs are baking, thickening into a luscious glaze that coats everything in its path.

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get This Show on the Road!

Okay, mate, let's whip up a killer list of ! It's time to gather what we need to make this Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake a reality.

I'm talking all the bits and bobs, from the seriously essential to those cheeky little extras that take it to the next level.

It's like adding a bit of Nando's Perinaise, a little extra flavor to boost the appeal.

Main Ingredients for Your Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Masterpiece

This is where we get down to brass tacks. We're talking quantities, quality, and all that jazz. For the honey garlic meatballs , you’ll need 1 lb (450g) of ground beef.

Aim for 80/20 blend for the best flavor, trust me. You also want 1/3 cup (35g) plain breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, and 2 minced garlic cloves.

Don’t forget 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1/2 tsp onion powder!

For the sauce, grab 1/3 cup (80ml) of honey. Runny honey is really the way to go. Mix that with 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce (low sodium is your friend here!), 1 tbsp (15ml) rice vinegar, and 2 more minced garlic cloves.

You’ll also need 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp (30ml) cold water.

Finally, the meatball rice bake itself! You'll need 1 cup (180g) uncooked white rice (jasmine works great). Throw in 2 cups (475ml) chicken broth, and feel free to add 1 cup (115g) of frozen peas and carrots.

A little 1/2 cup (50g) diced yellow onion is a great choice if you're feeling fancy, and 1 tbsp of olive oil.

Seasoning Notes: Spice It Up!

The key to this dish is balance. It's all about finding those essential spice combinations to really make the honey garlic meatballs sing.

The soy sauce and garlic combo is your flavor base. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the honey garlic sauce recipe if you're feeling brave.

I mean, who doesn't love a bit of heat?

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

No need for fancy gadgets here! All you really need is a large mixing bowl for the meatballs. A 9x13 inch (23x33cm) baking dish is essential for the meatball rice bake .

A small saucepan is needed for the sauce, and a whisk will help keep things smooth. Don't have a whisk? A fork works just fine!

Alright, let's dive into making this crazy good Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake! Honestly, this is one of those dishes that looks fancy but is dead easy to pull off.

Perfect for a weeknight when you cba to cook a proper meal. Think comfort food but, like, elevated , you know?

Prep Like a Pro

First things first, mise en place! This is french, but you just need to prep. Dice your onion, mince your garlic, and measure out all your spices.

This will prevent running around like a headless chicken later.

• Essential mise en place : Chop everything.
• Organization is king: Group ingredients by when you need them.

Pro tip: Get the rice going before you start on the meatballs. This is because the rice takes longer to cook.

Step-by-Step: Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Magic

Right then, here's how we turn this into a masterpiece. Okay, mate, let's whip up a killer.

1. Preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C) . Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. No one likes cleaning up burnt bits, am I right?
2. In a large bowl, gently combine 1 lb (450g) ground beef , 1/3 cup (35g) breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp onion powder. Don't overmix! No one likes a tough meatball.
3. Roll the mixture into roughly 1-inch meatballs. About the size of a ping pong ball.
4. In your baking dish, mix 1 cup (180g) uncooked rice, 2 cups (475ml) broth, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 cup (50g) onion, and 1 cup (115g) frozen peas and carrots. Give it a good stir.
5. Nestle the meatballs on top of the rice mixture. Make sure they're evenly spaced.
6. Bake for 35- 40 minutes , until the rice is tender and meatballs are cooked. The internal temperature of the meatballs should reach 165° F ( 74° C) .
7. While the bake is cooking, whisk together 1/3 cup (80ml) honey, 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce, 1 tbsp (15ml) rice vinegar, and 2 cloves minced garlic in a saucepan. Simmer, then add a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water) to thicken the sauce.
8. Drizzle that glorious honey garlic sauce over the rice and meatballs. Bake for 5 more minutes to let the sauce caramelize a bit.

Pro Tips for a Perfect Bake

• Don't overmix the meatballs , or they'll be tougher than old boots.
• Want some heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the honey garlic sauce recipe .
• If the rice isn't quite done after 40 minutes, add a splash more broth and cover with foil. Easy peasy.

There you have it – a crowd-pleasing honey garlic meatball rice bake! This is a perfect dish to use with weeknight dinner ideas.

Alright, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of this Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake. You know, the stuff that takes it from "meh" to "OMG, can I have seconds?".

Recipe Notes: Level Up Your Bake

Think of these as your cheat codes for culinary success. I've learned a thing or two whipping this up, and I'm sharing all my secrets.

Serving Suggestions: Honey garlic meatballs Presentation is Key!

Okay, mate, let's whip up a killer list of that'll have this Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake soaring up the search rankings.

Okay, mate, let's whip up a killer list of that'll have this Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake soaring up the search rankings.

We'll start by grabbing the best of the bunch you've already got, and then add in some fresh ones to really give it some oomph.

Think of it like adding a cheeky Nando's Perinaise to the mix - a little extra flavour to boost the appeal.

First impressions matter, right? A sprinkle of chopped green onions and some sesame seeds seriously elevates this bake. Try plating individual portions with a scoop of the bake alongside some steamed broccoli.

For drinks? A crisp, light beer or even just some sparkling water with a lemon slice works wonders.

Storage Tips: Keep it Fresh, Keep it Tasty

Got leftovers? Lucky you!

• Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Honestly, it tastes even better the next day.
• Freezing: You can freeze this, but the rice might get a bit mushy. For freezing options, let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in foil or place in a freezer-safe container. It'll keep for up to 2 months.
• Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or oven. If using the oven, add a splash of broth to prevent it from drying out. Important: Ensure it's piping hot throughout before serving.

Variations: Meatball rice bake Your Way

Fancy a change? I got you.

• Low-Carb: Swap out the rice for cauliflower rice. It's a simple swap that will make this dish diet friendly. I tried it once for my friend Sarah, and she loved it.
• Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Honey Garlic Sauce . You know? For a kick.

Nutrition Basics: Easy meatball recipe Fueling Your Body

Let's be real, this isn't health food, but it's a balanced meal. Each serving packs a decent amount of protein (around 30-35g) from the meatballs, and the rice provides carbs for energy.

Watch the sodium levels from the soy sauce, especially if you're salt-sensitive. All the ingredients work well together, and it's easy.

Right then, that's all there is to it! The Honey Garlic Meatball Rice is waiting to be your dinner staple.

Don't overthink it, get in the kitchen, and get baking! You got this.