Name: Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) ground beef or ground chicken; 1/4 cup breadcrumbs; 1 egg; 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional but recommended); 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/3 cup honey; 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 3 tablespoons ketchup; 2 tablespoons water; 2 cloves garlic, finely minced; 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening); 1 cup uncooked white rice (long grain or jasmine); 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth); 1 tablespoon 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 for garnish)

Description

A warm and hearty dish featuring succulent meatballs coated in a rich honey garlic sauce, baked with fluffy rice and vegetables.

Ingredients

1 lb (450g) ground beef or ground chicken
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional but recommended)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons water
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
1 cup uncooked white rice (long grain or jasmine)
2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
1 tablespoon 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 for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish.
In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, black pepper, and salt. Form small meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
Heat a skillet over medium heat and sear the meatballs in a splash of oil until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side.
In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, water, and minced garlic. Stir on medium heat until bubbly, and thicken with cornstarch if desired.
Spread uncooked rice evenly in the greased baking dish and scatter the diced bell peppers and frozen peas over the top.
Drizzle olive oil or butter over the rice and vegetables, then pour in the chicken broth, stirring gently. Nestle the browned meatballs in the mixture.
Pour the honey garlic sauce over everything, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 40 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, and optionally garnish with chopped green onions.

Notes

For extra moisture, add a splash of broth when reheating leftovers. Experiment with different vegetables for added flavor.