🍯 Honey Garlic Meatball Rice Bake

⭐ Ingredients

For the Rice Bake

• 500g frozen or homemade meatballs

• 1 ½ cups basmati rice (uncooked)

• 3 cups chicken broth

• 1 tbsp butter

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)

• 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)

• ½ cup green onions (chopped)

Honey Garlic Sauce

• ⅓ cup honey

• ¼ cup soy sauce

• 3 tbsp ketchup

• 1 tbsp vinegar

• 4 garlic cloves (minced)

• 1 tsp ginger (optional)

• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)

🍽️ Instructions

1. Cook the Rice

• Grease a baking dish.

• Add uncooked rice, chicken broth, butter, salt, and pepper.

• Mix well.

• Cover tightly with foil and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce

• In a saucepan, add honey, soy sauce, ketchup, vinegar, garlic, and ginger.

• Cook for 2–3 minutes.

• Add cornstarch slurry and cook until thick and glossy.

3. Coat the Meatballs

• Add meatballs to the sauce.

• Toss well so they are fully coated.

4. Combine Everything

• After the rice is about 70% cooked, remove from the oven.

• Spread the saucy meatballs evenly over the rice.

• Top with mozzarella cheese.

• Bake again for 15–20 minutes until cheese melts and rice is fully cooked.

5. Finish & Serve

• Sprinkle green onions.

• Serve hot and enjoy!

❓ Q&A 

Q1: Can I use frozen meatballs?

Yes! You can use them directly without thawing.

Q2: How do I prevent the rice from getting mushy?

Use the correct ratio: 1 cup rice = 2 cups broth.

Q3: How to make the sauce thicker and stickier?

Add a little extra cornstarch slurry.

Q4: Substitute for ketchup?

Sweet chili sauce or tomato paste works.

Q5: Is cheese necessary?

No — totally optional.