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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.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Form into small meatballs.
  3. In a skillet, brown the meatballs on all sides (they don’t need to cook through).
  4. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, and ketchup to make the glaze.
  5. In a baking dish, combine cooked rice and diced bell peppers. Nestle meatballs into the rice.
  6. Drizzle glaze over everything.
  7. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes.
  8. 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

Keywords: meatball rice bake, sweet savory meatballs, baked rice casserole, one-pan meatball dish, glazed meatball bake