Juicy wagyu beef meatballs baked in rich tomato sauce and smothered in golden melted cheese — this is your go-to comfort food with a luxurious twist. It’s quick, easy, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
After trying the Aldi wagyu beef meatballs, I was inspired to make my own homemade wagyu beef meatballs recipe — just as convenient, but with a fresher, richer taste. With simple ingredients and just one baking dish, this is the kind of weeknight meal that feels like a treat.
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Why I use wagyu beef mince
When it comes to flavour and tenderness, Australian wagyu beef stands in a league of its own. Its signature marbling gives it that juicy, buttery texture that turns even basic recipes into something special. And when you’re making meatballs — where texture and moisture matter — it makes a noticeable difference.
Wagyu comes in different grades based on its marbling, tenderness, and flavour profile. While all wagyu beef grades are high quality, even supermarket wagyu mince brings an upgrade to your average meatball dish. Using wagyu mince in this meatball recipe lets the flavour shine through, so you don’t need loads of extras — just herbs, a little cheese, and your favourite sauce.
Ingredients
- Wagyu beef mince (20% Fat)
- Egg
- Fresh breadcrumbs
- Parmesan cheese
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Parsley (or basil)
- Salt and pepper
- Marinara or tomato pasta sauce
- Mozzarella
- Dried oregano
- Dried basil
See recipe card for quantities.
Hint - if you use passata, always add teaspoon of salt and tablespoon of sugar!
Instructions for wagyu meatballs
Step 1:
In a large mixing bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients – Mix the ingredients until well combined.
Step 2:
Form the mixture into meatballs, about 3cm in diameter or 30 grams. You should be able to make about 20 meatballs.
Step 3:
Place the meatballs in an oven-safe dish, pour over the marinara sauce and top with mozzarella cheese.
Step 4:
Bake the meatballs for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Remove and garnish!
What to serve with wagyu beef meatballs
Wondering what goes with this wagyu meatballs recipe? Here are some easy favourites that pair beautifully:
- Pasta:
Spaghetti, linguine, penne – all perfect for catching the sauce. - Crusty garlic bread:
Mop up every last bit of that cheesy tomato goodness. - Green salad:
Add some freshness with rocket or mixed leaves and a sharp vinaigrette. - Roasted vegetables:
Think capsicum, zucchini, or even roasted cherry tomatoes. - Mashed potatoes or creamy polenta:
Ultimate comfort food combo. - Meatball subs:
Pile your wagyu meatballs onto crusty rolls, top with cheese, and grill for a next-level sandwich. - Steamed greens:
Broccoli or green beans dressed with lemon and olive oil for a lighter touch.
Storage
Leftover wagyu beef meatballs? Lucky you — they reheat beautifully!
To store:
- Let the meatballs cool completely.
- Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How to freeze wagyu meatballs:
- Place cooled meatballs (with sauce) in a freezer-safe container or bag.
- Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to reheat meatballs:
- Reheat gently on the stove or in the oven at 160°C until hot all the way through.
- You can also microwave individual portions — just cover and heat in 60-second bursts, stirring in between..
FAQ about wagyu meatballs
Yes! While this wagyu beef meatball recipe is designed to highlight the flavour and richness of wagyu, you can absolutely swap in regular beef mince. Just look for mince with a bit of fat (around 80/20) to keep the meatballs juicy.
Wagyu beef grades are based on marbling, colour, texture, and fat quality. For mince, the marbling adds extra juiciness and flavour, but you don’t need the highest grade to get a great result. Even standard Australian wagyu beef mince from the supermarket will give your meatballs a flavour boost.
Definitely. You can roll and refrigerate the meatballs a day ahead, or even bake the full dish and reheat when ready to serve. It’s a great make-ahead option for busy nights.
Yes, you can air fry them at 180°C for about 10–12 minutes (check doneness with a meat thermometer or by cutting one open). Then transfer them to a baking dish with sauce and cheese and grill briefly to finish.
If you’re after a richer, more tender meatball with minimal effort — absolutely. The fat content in wagyu mince means more flavour and moisture, even with simple ingredients. Perfect for a little midweek indulgence!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Wagyu Beef Meatballs Parmigiana
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This easy wagyu beef meatballs recipe is rich, juicy, and full of flavour — baked in marinara and finished with golden cheese. A weeknight dinner with weekend-level taste.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 500g wagyu beef mince (20% fat)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
For the Sauce:
- 700ml of marinara sauce or homemade tomato sauce (see notes)
For the Assembly:
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 190°C.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients – ground meat, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, parsley, milk, egg, minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Mix the ingredients until well combined.
- Form the mixture into meatballs, about 2.5 to 3.8 cm in diameter. You should be able to make approximately 20 meatballs.
- Place the meatballs in an oven-safe dish, pour over the marinara sauce and top with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the meatballs for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with grated parmesan, fresh basil and parsley.
Notes
If you use passata, always add teaspoon of salt and tablespoon of sugar!
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
