🍤🧀 Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bake

This Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bake is a delicious combination of juicy shrimp, sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, fluffy jasmine rice, tender broccoli, and plenty of bubbling mozzarella cheese.

The shrimp are coated in a glossy honey-soy glaze flavored with fresh garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar, then layered over seasoned rice and broccoli before being topped with mozzarella and baked until beautifully golden and bubbly.

It’s an easy, satisfying weeknight dinner, family meal, or cozy casserole-style dish that brings takeout-inspired flavors straight to your kitchen.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: About 45 minutes
• Servings: 5–6
• Difficulty: Easy
• Method: Stovetop + oven
• Baking Dish: 9 × 13-inch (23 × 33 cm)

Ingredients

For the Honey Garlic Shrimp

• 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ⅓ cup (115 g) honey
• ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely grated
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil, for cooking

For the Rice Bake

• 3 cups (about 550–600 g) cooked jasmine rice
• 2 cups (about 180 g) broccoli florets, lightly steamed
• 1½ cups (150 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced

Optional Garnish

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Red pepper flakes
• Extra green onion
• Thinly sliced fresh chili

Instructions

1. Prepare the Shrimp

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.

This is important because excess moisture can prevent the shrimp from getting a nice sear and can dilute the sauce.

Season lightly with black pepper.

Set aside.

2. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger.

Mix until the honey is evenly incorporated.

Set the sauce aside.

3. Sear the Shrimp

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the shrimp in a single layer.

Cook for about 1–2 minutes per side, just until they begin turning pink and opaque.

Do not fully cook them yet, because they will continue cooking in the oven.

4. Add the Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium-low.

Pour the honey garlic sauce over the shrimp.

Toss gently to coat.

Cook for approximately 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken slightly and becomes glossy.

Remove from the heat.

The shrimp should be just shy of fully cooked.

5. Prepare the Rice

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Place the cooked jasmine rice in a large bowl.

Add about half of the sliced green onions and toss gently.

If your rice is plain, season it with a small pinch of salt and black pepper. Remember that the soy-based shrimp sauce will add plenty of savory flavor.

6. Assemble the Bake

Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish.

Spread the jasmine rice evenly across the bottom.

Arrange the lightly steamed broccoli over the rice.

Spoon the honey garlic shrimp and sauce evenly over the top.

Make sure the shrimp are distributed throughout the dish rather than piled in one area.

7. Add the Cheese

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the entire surface.

For the best golden crust, make sure the cheese reaches close to the edges of the dish.

8. Bake

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.

Bake uncovered for approximately 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and bubbling.

For a deeper golden top, switch the oven to BROIL/GRILL for the final 1–2 minutes.

Watch carefully because mozzarella can brown quickly.

9. Rest

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.

This allows the sauce to settle and makes the casserole easier to serve.

10. Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle the remaining green onions over the top.

Add sesame seeds, fresh cilantro, or a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.

Serve hot, making sure each portion gets plenty of shrimp, broccoli, rice, sauce, and melted cheese.

Chef’s Tips

• Don’t overcook the shrimp: They should be just cooked through. Overcooking makes them rubbery.
• Pat shrimp dry: This helps them sear rather than steam.
• Use cooked, cooled rice: Day-old jasmine rice works especially well because it holds its shape.
• Don’t drown the rice: Add the shrimp and sauce evenly so the rice stays fluffy instead of becoming soggy.
• Use low-moisture mozzarella: It melts beautifully and creates a better golden cheese topping.
• Broil carefully: The cheese can go from golden to burnt very quickly.
• Taste before adding extra salt: Soy sauce already provides plenty of saltiness.

Easy Variations

Spicy Honey Garlic Shrimp

Add ½–1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1–2 teaspoons sriracha to the honey garlic sauce.

Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Bake

Add ½ cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack along with the mozzarella for a richer cheese topping.

Teriyaki-Style Shrimp Bake

Add 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil to the sauce and sprinkle sesame seeds generously over the finished dish.

Vegetable-Loaded Version

Add sliced bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms, or snap peas along with the broccoli.

Pineapple Honey Garlic Shrimp

Add 1 cup pineapple chunks to the rice layer for a sweet tropical twist.

Make-Ahead Instructions

The rice, broccoli, and honey garlic sauce can be prepared up to 1 day ahead.

For best texture, cook the shrimp shortly before assembling the casserole.

You can assemble the rice and broccoli in the baking dish, refrigerate covered, and add the freshly cooked shrimp and cheese before baking.

If baking directly from the refrigerator, allow approximately 5–10 extra minutes of baking time.

Storage

Allow leftovers to cool, then transfer them to an airtight container.

Refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave or in a covered oven-safe dish at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.

Because shrimp can become tough when repeatedly reheated, warm leftovers only until hot.

Freezing

For the best texture, freezing is not recommended because the cooked shrimp and broccoli can become watery and the cheese may change texture after thawing.

Serving Suggestions

This cheesy shrimp rice bake is delicious served with:

• Cucumber salad
• Steamed vegetables
• Asian-style slaw
• Fresh fruit
• Spring rolls
• A simple green salad

Final Result

Tender honey garlic shrimp coated in a sticky, glossy sweet-and-savory sauce, layered over fluffy jasmine rice and broccoli, then finished with a bubbling golden blanket of mozzarella. It’s an irresistible combination of sweet, savory, garlicky, cheesy, and satisfying in every bite.