We're reader-supported and only partner with brands we trust. When you buy through links on our site we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date and time indicated and are subject to change.
Sick of opening your fridge and getting nada for dinner ideas? Same! It’s like talking to a brick wall. But no sweat, Costco’s prepared meals are easy peasy to heat up, and they take all of the pressure off meal planning. And even the picky kiddos can dig ’em. So whether you’re a family that’s always on the go or just bored of the same ol’ dinner routine, I’m here to show you which Costco prepared meals are worth a try.
Although these Costco-prepared meals come at a higher price point than cooking them from scratch, let’s not forget that time IS money. The precious time that these ready-made meals will save you is totally worth the extra cost. Besides, they are definitely more cost-effective than eating out when you break down the price per serving. If all else fails … just grab a large pizza for $9.95 from the Costco food court.
Download The Krazy Coupon Lady app for more money-saving tips and tricks.
Use these Costco prepared meals to prep for the whole week (or two).
One thing I like to do with the Costco prepared meals is to plan out my week with them. Any of the prepared meals you see that are in a foil or aluminum tray can be frozen before you cook them. Any meal that isn’t in a tray like that should be cooked first, then you can freeze any leftovers. This works out well if you don’t live close to a Costco. You can stock up on prepared meals for two weeks at a time.
We’re a family of five, and the majority of the Costco meals we eat for dinner have one or two servings left over. (The exception’s the street tacos. Those don’t last an hour in my house.)
Order through Instacart to get these meals without a membership (but you’ll pay more).
If you’re shopping in the warehouse, you do have to be a Costco member to purchase these prepared meals. But if you’re not a member, you can shop their meals directly from Instacart. Just know that you’ll pay a higher price than members who shop with Costco Same-Day Delivery, though.
We found a nice deal on a Costco membership right now, but if you need more convincing, check out Is a Costco Membership Worth It?
Picky Kid-Approved Costco Meals
1. Chicken Noodle Soup ($3.49 per pound)
Costco’s chicken noodle soup is an easy and tasty option made with their famous rotisserie chicken, plus egg noodles, carrots, celery, onions, and a savory broth. This soup is perfect for a comforting and filling meal, especially on colder days.
It’s not too expensive at $3.49 for each pound, and you can usually get around four and a half pounds. That means you can feed your family or have lots of servings without spending too much money.
2. Mac and Cheese ($3.49 per pound)
Costco’s mac and cheese is a no-brainer. It’s made with tender elbow pasta and a creamy blend of cheddar, asiago, and parmesan cheeses. The pre-made dish comes in an oven-safe container, making it a convenient meal or side dish.
It’s priced at $3.49 per pound, with most packages weighing under four pounds. You could even prebake it at home and bring it to a cookout and no one will know it’s Costco!
Related: Here are the best deals at Costco that will more than justify your membership fee.
3. Chili ($3.49 per pound)
Who has time to simmer chili for hours on the stove? Costco does! Their ready-made chili comes packed with a mix of beef, beans, chili powder, cumin, and paprika. It even comes with a sprinkling of cheese already on top.
This chili costs $3.49 per pound, and most packages are around four pounds. It’s a good choice for feeding many people or a family, and you can eat it by itself or with bread or crackers.
Related: We’ve got 12 sweet Costco Bakery secrets you need to know.
4. Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes ($3.99 per pound)
Our household is a big fan of Costco’s meatloaf with mashed Yukon potatoes and glaze. This meal has a big serving of meatloaf made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, and yummy seasonings. Plus, it comes with creamy mashed potatoes and a glaze that’s all over the meatloaf. It comes fully cooked, so all you have to do is pop it in the microwave or oven.
They price this one at $3.99 per pound, with many packages weighing around four pounds. It’s even better the next day! Considering the average price per pound of ground chuck is $4.77, this is a good price for a fully prepared meal.
5. Chicken Alfredo ($4.49 per pound)
Costco’s chicken Alfredo with penne pasta is a tasty and convenient meal option for everyone. And I mean kids, too. This dish includes penne pasta, shredded rotisserie chicken, and a creamy Alfredo sauce. Plus, it’s topped with parmesan cheese. It comes in a ready-to-heat package, making it a quick and easy meal option. The price of the chicken alfredo is $4.49 per pound, and most packages weigh around four pounds. It’s picky kid approved because it’s like eating cheesy pasta with chicken!
Considering the average cost of chicken breast is $3.73 per pound, this is a nice price for a prepared meal.
6. Chicken Pot Pie ($3.99 per pound)
Costco’s chicken pot pie is the comfort food we know and love. This pie has a crispy crust and a creamy filling with plenty of chicken — around one and a half pounds of chicken per pie. There are also veggies like carrots and peas, and gravy. It comes in a ready-to-bake container, making it an easy and hassle-free option for a quick meal.
The pot pie costs $3.99 per pound, and most pies we saw weigh about five and a half pounds. This is a good value and can feed a family or provide many servings. This is also a good meal to purchase to bring to a neighbor!
7. Ravioli Lasagna with Beef Pork Bolognese Sauce ($4.99 per pound)
Costco has a ravioli lasagna with beef pork bolognese sauce that’s easy to make and a fun twist on regular lasagna. It has layers of meat-filled ravioli pasta and a flavorful bolognese sauce. Since it comes in an aluminum container, you just heat it up in the oven or microwave.
The large size makes this one a great option for feeding a family or having leftovers. It costs $4.99 per pound, with most packages weighing around three pounds.
8. Street Tacos ($5.49 per pound)
If there’s one Costo prepared meal you need to try, it’s the street tacos. The tacos come with seasoned chicken, soft tortillas, sauces, cheese, and all the toppings. All you have to do is heat up the chicken and warm the tortillas before adding your favorite stuff on top.
Their street tacos cost $5.49 per pound, with most packages weighing under three pounds.
9. Chicken Quesadilla ($5.99 per pound)
If you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal or snack, Costco’s ready-to-eat chicken quesadilla is a quick and easy option. This quesadilla comes with grilled seasoned chicken, flour tortillas, and shredded cheese. It’s served with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream on the side.
The chicken quesadilla costs $5.99 per pound, and most packages at our locations weigh under three pounds. All you have to do is heat up the quesadillas in a pan.
Costco Ready-Made Meals (For More Adventurous Eaters)
10. Garlic Pepper Seasoned Drums ($2.99 per pound)
Costco sells garlic pepper-seasoned chicken drumsticks already warmed near the rotisserie chicken. They cost $2.99 per pound, with most packages weighing around three pounds.
The average price per pound of chicken drumsticks is $1.98. So at $2.99 per pound and already cooked and hot, I’ll take it!
11. Shepherd’s Pie ($3.79 per pound)
Costco’s shepherd’s pie will save your busy weeknights. It has a savory filling made with ground beef, mixed vegetables, and a rich gravy, topped with a generous layer of creamy mashed potatoes.
Their shepherd’s pie is affordably priced at $3.79 per pound, with most containers weighing around five pounds. It comes in a ready-to-bake container, making it an easy and hassle-free option. Additionally, you can also freeze it and cook it later!
12. Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing ($4.99 per pound)
Costco has a healthy salad option with fresh baby spinach leaves, bacon, tomatoes, onions, cheese, sweetened dried cranberries, and a poppyseed dressing.
It costs $4.99 per pound and most packages weigh around two and a half pounds.
13. Yakisoba Stir Fry ($5.99 per pound)
Costco’s yakisoba stir fry features yakisoba noodles with chicken, broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, and two whole servings of sauce. The meal comes in a plastic container you can just dump into a pan and reheat.
This dish has a price of $5.99 per pound, with most packages weighing a little under four pounds.
14. Enchilada Bake with Rotisserie Chicken ($5.99 per pound)
Costco’s enchilada meal is a tasty and hassle-free option for those who love Mexican food. This one has soft corn tortillas filled with seasoned rotisserie chicken, red enchilada sauce, pinto beans, corn, rice, and cheddar cheese. It’s already pre-made in an oven-safe container, allowing for easy heating at home or storing in the freezer.
With a cost of $5.99 per pound, most packages weigh just under four pounds.
15. Ribs ($7.99 per pound)
If you’re looking for an easy meal option, Costco baby back ribs could be a perfect choice. You can grab a pack of pre-made mashed potatoes and a salad, and dinner is ready to go!
These pre-cooked and seasoned ribs cost $7.99 per pound and are available hot near the rotisserie chicken. You can reheat them on a grill, oven, or microwave, making it an easy and hassle-free way to enjoy ribs.
Considering the average price per pound of baby back ribs is $5.99, this is a pretty good price for already prepared and cooked ribs.
Related: Who has the best rotisserie chicken? We found the answer!
16. Stuffed Salmon ($11.99 per pound)
Try Costco’s stuffed salmon! It includes three to four fillets stuffed with a crab cake-like filling. You can easily bake it using the container it comes in.
The dish costs $11.99 per pound, and most packages weigh around two pounds.
17. Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter ($14.99 per pound)
Costco’s salmon Milano with basil pesto butter is a flavorful and convenient option for those who love seafood. High-quality salmon fillets are seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices and topped with basil pesto butter. It comes in a ready-to-bake container, making it an easy and hassle-free option for a quick meal. Just throw the whole thing into the oven and let the butter melt and do the work.
The salmon is priced at $14.99 per pound, with most packages weighing under two pounds.
The average price of salmon fillets is about $10.99 per pound, so you’re paying $4 more for butter, seasoning, and a pan to cook it in. While you could purchase your own salmon fillets and prepare them yourself, you’re paying for the convenience.
Costco’s Ready-Made Dessert Options
Costco desserts are a sweet lover’s dream! With choices like chocolate cake, cheesecake, and fruit pies, there’s something for everyone. Plus, their large sizes make them perfect for sharing.
18. Cheesecake ($16.99, or $0.24 per ounce)
Costco’s cheesecake is a fan-favorite dessert for good reason. It’s creamy and sweet, with a graham cracker crust. You can get it in different flavors throughout the year, like New York-style, strawberry, or even pumpkin.
The cheesecake is priced at $16.99 for 72 ounces, which isn’t too bad for a big dessert. You can eat it after dinner or just as a snack whenever you want something sweet.
19. Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake ($16.99, or $0.40 per ounce)
Costco’s Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake has layers of rich chocolate cake, brownie chunks, and a combination of white and chocolate mousse. Topped with a smooth chocolate ganache and chocolate decorations, it’s a chocolate lover’s dream.
At $16.99 for 42 ounces of cake, it’s an affordable and indulgent dessert perfect for any occasion.
20. Tiramisu Bar Cake ($19.99, or $0.53 per ounce)
Costco’s tiramisu bar cake is a convenient and delicious Italian dessert. It has espresso-soaked sponge cake, mascarpone cheese filling, and cocoa powder.
This giant cake is priced at $19.99 for 38 ounces.
21. Mini Red Velvet Cakes ($9.99, or $1.67 per cake)
Costco’s mini red velvet cakes are a delicious dessert option for those with a sweet tooth. These individual-sized cakes are made with layers of moist and fluffy red velvet cake and a smooth cream cheese frosting. They come decorated with red velvet cake crumbs.
A package of six mini cakes costs $9.99.
