Sweet & Savory Meatball Rice Bake
A hearty one-pan dish with tender glazed meatballs baked over fluffy seasoned rice, colorful bell peppers, and fresh green onions for a comforting blend of sweet and savory flavors.
- Author: Djihane
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 55 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Halal
- 1 lb ground beef or pork (or a mix)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (any color)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (for sauce)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Form into small meatballs.
- In a skillet, brown the meatballs on all sides (they don’t need to cook through).
- In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, and ketchup to make the glaze.
- In a baking dish, combine cooked rice and diced bell peppers. Nestle meatballs into the rice.
- Drizzle glaze over everything.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle with chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
- Use leftover rice for faster prep and better texture.
- For extra heat, add chili flakes or sriracha to the glaze.
- Can be made ahead and reheated for an easy weeknight meal.
- Swap bell peppers for other vegetables like peas or corn if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: meatball rice bake, sweet savory meatballs, baked rice casserole, one-pan meatball dish, glazed meatball bake