Weeknight Meatball Rice Bowl

Air Fryer Meatballs Rice Bowl with Ginger Garlic Sauce, & Steamed Vegetables

Rice bowls are one of those meals I never get tired of. They’re comforting, flexible, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying yet uncomplicated.

This Weeknight Meatball Rice Bowl, steamed broccoli, carrots, and a homemade ginger garlic sauce have earned a permanent spot in our dinner rotation, and for good reason.

I’ve made versions of this bowl countless times, tweaking the seasoning, testing different vegetables, and adjusting the sauce until it hits that sweet spot of savory, slightly sweet, and deeply comforting.

The air-fried meatballs are juicy and tender without extra oil, and the sauce brings everything together with bold flavor using simple pantry ingredients.

This is the kind of recipe that works whether you’re cooking for your family, meal-prepping for the week, or just trying to get dinner on the table fast without relying on takeout. It’s balanced, colorful, and endlessly adaptable, exactly the type of everyday meal I love sharing here.

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Tips for Best Results

• For extra flavor, cook your rice in a mix of water and broth
• Don’t overmix the meatball mixture; this keeps them tender
• Double the sauce if you like extra drizzle (highly recommended)
• Leftover rice works beautifully for this bowl

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If you make this tasty Weeknight Meatball Rice Bowl, don’t forget to tag me @sandraseasycooking. So I can see your creations. I also love sharing your pics on my story, so make sure to tag me.

Sandra’s Note

This beef rice bowl is one of those recipes that adapts to real life. I make it when I need comfort, speed, and flexibility all in one meal. Some nights it’s beef, other nights it’s turkey or chicken. Sometimes the veggies change, sometimes the sauce gets a little extra ginger, but it always works. These are the kinds of recipes I believe belong in every home kitchen: reliable, flavorful, and meant to evolve with you.

If you’re new here, stop by my About page. Learn more about my food stories, background, and the joy I find behind the lens.

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Yield: Serves 4

Weeknight Meatball Rice Bowl

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

This easy weeknight meatball rice bowl with air fryer meatballs, steamed veggies, and homemade ginger garlic sauce is a fast, flavorful weeknight dinner ready in 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

Rice & Vegetables

• 2 cups cooked white or jasmine rice
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup carrot slices

Meatballs

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp dried herbs (oregano or parsley)
• ½ tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)

Ginger Garlic Sauce

• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ½ tbsp honey or brown sugar (optional)
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions

Prepare the meatballs:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). In a bowl, combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. You can do this in your oven or a conventional oven. Check notes!
2. Mix gently until just combined, then shape into 1-inch meatballs. I used a (oiled) ice cream scoop, smaller. I had 18 meatballs.
3. Air fry: Place meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
4. Cook for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway through, until fully cooked and lightly browned.

Cook the vegetables:

1. Steam broccoli and carrots until tender. If using fresh carrots, boil them for about 15 minutes first since they take longer to soften.
2. Frozen carrots can be steamed alongside the broccoli.

Make the sauce:

1. In a small pan, whisk together soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil.
2. Simmer over low heat for 2 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Assemble the bowls:

1. Divide rice between bowls. Top with meatballs and vegetables, then drizzle generously with the ginger garlic sauce.
2. Garnish with sesame seeds or green onions if desired.

Notes

You can find how to make rice in this post: Chicken and Mixed Vegetables Stir-Fry

Storage & Reheating:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop. Store sauce separately if possible to keep flavors fresh.

How to Freeze Raw Meatballs:

• Shape the meatballs as usual.
• Line them on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer (not touching).
• Freeze uncovered for 1–2 hours, until solid.
• Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
• Label with date + protein.
• They’ll keep well for up to 3 months (best texture).

Cooking From Frozen (No Thawing Needed)

Air Fryer:

• 375°F AIR FRYER temperature
• Add 3–5 extra minutes to your usual cook time
• Shake halfway

Oven:

• 400°F OVEN temp.
• Bake 18–22 minutes, depending on size
• Always cook to 165°F internal temp (especially for poultry).
  

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per ServingCalories 687Total Fat 26gSaturated Fat 9gUnsaturated Fat 17gCholesterol 148mgSodium 1172mgCarbohydrates 69gFiber 8gSugar 7gProtein 43g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate, but we try our best.

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