If you’re looking for convenient, tasty, and budget-friendly prepared meals, Costco has plenty of options. However, not all pre-made dishes are created equal. We’ve compiled the ultimate guide to help you decide which Costco meals are worth grabbing and which ones to leave behind.
Buy: Rotisserie Chicken $4.99/3 lbs
Costco’s iconic rotisserie chicken is unbeatable for convenience and value. Juicy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned, it’s a must-have for quick dinners.
Nutritional Facts
- 140 calories per serving
- 7g fat
- 0g carbs
- 520mg sodium
- 0g dietary fiber
- 0g sugar
- 19g protein
Ingredients
Chicken, water, seasoning (salt, modified corn starch, sodium phosphate, natural flavor).
Preparation Instructions
Ready to eat, no preparation needed. Pair with a salad or veggies for a complete meal.
Skip: Tortellini Pasta Salad $10.99/3 lbs
While it may look like a fresh and colorful option, the tortellini pasta salad lacks flavor and tends to get soggy quickly.
Nutritional Facts
- 280 calories per serving
- 13g fat
- 29g carbs
- 500mg sodium
- 2g dietary fiber
- 3g sugar
- 9g protein
Ingredients
Cheese tortellini, mayonnaise, peas, bell peppers, Parmesan cheese, seasoning.
Preparation Instructions
Served cold, no preparation required. However, the texture tends to fall flat.
Buy: Chicken Street Tacos $15.99/4 lbs
These flavorful tacos come with tender, pre-seasoned chicken, tortillas, shredded cheese, and salsa. Just heat and assemble for a delicious meal.
Nutritional Facts
- 230 calories per taco
- 11g fat
- 17g carbs
- 530mg sodium
- 1g dietary fiber
- 2g sugar
- 14g protein
Ingredients
Seasoned chicken, tortillas, shredded cheese, salsa, cilantro.
Preparation Instructions
Heat the chicken and tortillas, then assemble with toppings for a fresh, easy dinner.
Skip: Mac and Cheese $12.99/3.5 lbs
Though the cheesy goodness is tempting, Costco’s mac and cheese can be overly rich and lacks the creaminess you’d expect from a great mac.
Nutritional Facts
- 310 calories per serving
- 15g fat
- 35g carbs
- 810mg sodium
- 1g dietary fiber
- 4g sugar
- 10g protein
Ingredients
Pasta, cheese sauce, butter, cream, seasoning.
Preparation Instructions
Bake or microwave, but the texture often becomes grainy.
Buy: Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes $14.99/3.75 lbs
A comfort classic, this meal is hearty and satisfying. The meatloaf is well-seasoned, and the mashed potatoes are creamy and smooth.
Nutritional Facts
- 350 calories per serving
- 19g fat
- 25g carbs
- 850mg sodium
- 2g dietary fiber
- 3g sugar
- 18g protein
Ingredients
Beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, mashed potatoes (potatoes, cream, butter), seasoning.
Preparation Instructions
Heat in the oven for best results, or microwave if you’re in a rush.
Skip: Shepherd’s Pie $16.99/4 lbs
Despite its potential, the shepherd’s pie is often bland, with dry meat and a lackluster mashed potato topping.
Nutritional Facts
- 320 calories per serving
- 18g fat
- 28g carbs
- 750mg sodium
- 2g dietary fiber
- 3g sugar
- 14g protein
Ingredients
Ground beef, mashed potatoes, peas, carrots, seasoning.
Preparation Instructions
Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes, but don’t expect much flavor.
Buy: Beef-Stuffed Bell Peppers $14.99/3 lbs
Filled with seasoned ground beef and rice, these bell peppers are flavorful, filling, and easy to prepare.
Nutritional Facts
- 320 calories per pepper
- 18g fat
- 25g carbs
- 680mg sodium
- 3g dietary fiber
- 5g sugar
- 19g protein
Ingredients
Ground beef, rice, bell peppers, cheese, seasoning.
Preparation Instructions
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the peppers are tender and the filling is hot.
Skip: Bacon Cheddar Burger Kits $19.99/6 burgers
While the concept is appealing, these burgers often fall short with overly greasy bacon and a lack of seasoning.
Nutritional Facts
- 500 calories per burger
- 34g fat
- 28g carbs
- 950mg sodium
- 1g dietary fiber
- 5g sugar
- 22g protein
Ingredients
Ground beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, buns.
Preparation Instructions
Grill or pan-fry the burgers, but expect a heavy, greasy result.
Buy: Chili $11.99/2.5 lbs
Costco’s chili is rich, hearty, and packed with protein, making it a perfect meal for busy weeknights.
Nutritional Facts
- 290 calories per serving
- 14g fat
- 22g carbs
- 800mg sodium
- 4g dietary fiber
- 5g sugar
- 18g protein
Ingredients
Ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, onions, chili seasoning.
Preparation Instructions
Heat on the stovetop or in the microwave for a warm, comforting meal.
Skip: Wraps $12.99/4 wraps
These wraps often suffer from soggy tortillas and bland fillings, making them a less-than-ideal choice.
Nutritional Facts
- 340 calories per wrap
- 15g fat
- 40g carbs
- 650mg sodium
- 3g dietary fiber
- 2g sugar
- 12g protein
Ingredients
Tortilla, deli meats, cheese, lettuce, seasoning.
Preparation Instructions
Ready to eat, but the texture leaves much to be desired.
Buy: Enchilada Bake with Rotisserie Chicken $16.99/4 lbs
Combining Costco’s famous rotisserie chicken with enchiladas, this bake is flavorful and crowd-pleasing.
Nutritional Facts
- 350 calories per serving
- 18g fat
- 30g carbs
- 800mg sodium
- 3g dietary fiber
- 3g sugar
- 20g protein
Ingredients
Rotisserie chicken, tortillas, enchilada sauce, cheese, seasoning.
Preparation Instructions
Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Skip: Gyro Meal Kit $19.99/3 lbs
The idea of gyros at home is exciting, but this meal kit often disappoints with dry meat and bland sauces.
Nutritional Facts
- 420 calories per serving
- 22g fat
- 32g carbs
- 750mg sodium
- 2g dietary fiber
- 3g sugar
- 18g protein
Ingredients
Gyro meat, pita, tzatziki sauce, onions, lettuce.
Preparation Instructions
Heat the gyro meat and assemble, but the taste doesn’t justify the effort.
Buy: Yakisoba Stir Fry $13.99/3 lbs
This stir fry is a fantastic option for a quick, delicious, and well-balanced dinner. Loaded with veggies and noodles, it’s a hit for all ages.
Nutritional Facts
- 250 calories per serving
- 9g fat
- 32g carbs
- 570mg sodium
- 3g dietary fiber
- 4g sugar
- 8g protein
Ingredients
Yakisoba noodles, vegetables, soy sauce, sesame oil, seasoning.
Preparation Instructions
Heat on the stovetop or microwave for a flavorful stir fry in minutes.
Skip: Chicken Alfredo $16.99/4 lbs
The sauce is too thick, and the chicken lacks flavor, making this alfredo dish a skip-worthy option.
Nutritional Facts
- 410 calories per serving
- 23g fat
- 30g carbs
- 960mg sodium
- 1g dietary fiber
- 2g sugar
- 19g protein
Ingredients
Chicken, pasta, Alfredo sauce, Parmesan cheese, seasoning.
Preparation Instructions
Bake or microwave, but the flavor is underwhelming.
Buy: Pepperoni Pizza $9.99/3 lbs
Costco’s pepperoni pizza is a family favorite with its crispy crust, gooey cheese, and generous toppings.
Nutritional Facts
- 300 calories per slice
- 13g fat
- 32g carbs
- 720mg sodium
- 2g dietary fiber
- 4g sugar
- 15g protein
Ingredients
Pizza dough, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, seasoning.
Preparation Instructions
Bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Conclusion
Costco’s prepared meals offer a range of options for every palate, but knowing what to buy and what to skip ensures you get the best quality and value. Happy shopping!
