Easy Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because today we’re talking about a dish so ridiculously easy, it almost feels like cheating. This Easy Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake isn’t just a meal; it’s a full-blown declaration that you *can* have delicious, flavorful dinner without sacrificing your precious couch-time to a mountain of dishes. It’s got that sweet, savory, tangy thing going on, all baked together in one glorious pan. If you’re looking for something that screams “I put in effort!” but secretly whispers “I spent 10 minutes on this,” then friend, you’ve found your new weeknight obsession.

I remember the first time I made this. My husband, bless his heart, decided to “help” by adding an extra glug of sesame oil because he “likes it nutty.” Now, I like sesame oil as much as the next person, but let’s just say we had to open a few windows that night. The kids, meanwhile, were convinced the pineapple chunks were alien invaders disguised as fruit, leading to a dramatic “rescue mission” where they meticulously picked them all out before devouring the rest. It was chaos, it was delicious, and it perfectly encapsulates dinner at our house: never boring, always tasty (eventually), and usually involving a small, sticky human declaring war on a vegetable.

Time-Saving Hacks

* Pre-made meatballs from the store? Absolutely. I won’t tell anyone if you don’t. We’re all about those “semi-homemade” victories here.
* Use a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven so you can mix and bake in the same dish. Fewer dishes to wash means more time to ignore your responsibilities.
* Buy pre-chopped pineapple. Life is too short to wrestle with a spiky fruit when you’re hungry.
* Measure your rice and water directly into the baking dish; no need for a separate bowl for liquids. Efficiency, baby!
* “Clean” the counter with a damp cloth instead of washing the cutting board if it only touched fruit. My secret? Don’t look too closely.

Serving Ideas

* Serve it with a side of steamed broccoli, if you’re feeling particularly virtuous (or just trying to prove to your family that you *do* care about vegetables).
* A crisp green salad is also a solid choice, especially if you want to pretend this is a balanced meal and not just a delicious carb-and-meat explosion.
* Pair it with your favorite cheap white wine if the kids drove you absolutely bonkers today. Or any day, really. It just hits different.
* Honestly? Just eat it straight from the baking dish with a fork. It’s comforting, it’s simple, and it saves you from washing another plate.

What to Serve It With

✔Tips & Mistakes

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Easy Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake

A simple and delicious recipe featuring meatballs baked with rice in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 1.5 lb ground beef or ground turkey for a lighter option
• ▢ 1 cup rice long-grain white rice works best
• ▢ 0.5 cup honey adds natural sweetness
• ▢ 0.25 cup soy sauce use low-sodium if preferred
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced or crushed
• ▢ 1 cup chicken broth for added flavor
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ginger freshly grated for best flavor
• ▢ 0.5 teaspoon black pepper adjust to taste
• ▢ 0.5 cup green onions chopped for garnish

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a large bowl, mix ground beef, minced garlic, ginger, black pepper, and a couple of tablespoons of soy sauce.
• Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the meatballs until browned, around 7-10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix rice, chicken broth, honey, and the remaining soy sauce in a baking dish.
• Place the cooked meatballs on top of the rice mixture.
• Cover the dish with foil and bake for about 25 minutes.
• Remove foil, then bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the rice is tender.
• Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Notes

This dish pairs nicely with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad.