If your wallet flinches every time you grab takeout, Costco has a deliciously budget-friendly answer. Their prepared meals aren’t just cheap—they’re shockingly tasty, with many rivaling your favorite restaurant’s flavors while costing a fraction of the price. Imagine cheesy, oven-ready lasagna, crisp Caesar salads, and street tacos loaded with seasoned chicken, all waiting in your fridge for a quick, satisfying dinner that feels like a splurge without draining your bank account. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking to simplify weeknight dinners, these 19 Costco meals prove you can save big without sacrificing the joy of a great meal.
1. Rotisserie Chicken Magic
Costco’s legendary $4.99 rotisserie chicken might be the best food deal on the planet. Juicy, perfectly seasoned, and big enough to feed a family, this bird is the ultimate meal starter.
Shred it for tacos, slice it for sandwiches, or enjoy it straight off the bone with some veggies. One chicken can stretch across multiple meals, making it incredibly economical.
Pro tip: Save the carcass to make homemade chicken stock that beats anything from a box. At just over a dollar per serving, nothing else comes close to this value.
2. Creamy Chicken Alfredo Feast
Forget the $18+ per person restaurant pasta dishes. For about $18 total, Costco’s chicken Alfredo tray feeds four hungry adults with generous portions that might even stretch to lunch tomorrow.
The pasta maintains the perfect al dente texture even after reheating. Velvety Alfredo sauce coats each strand with rich, garlicky goodness while tender chicken chunks add satisfying protein.
Pair with a simple side salad from the produce section, and you’ve got a restaurant-quality meal for under $5 per person. The convenience factor alone makes this a weeknight winner.
3. Hearty Chicken Pot Pie
Nothing says comfort food like chicken pot pie, and Costco’s version delivers big time. At $3.99 per pound (usually $20-25 total), this massive pie serves at least four with likely leftovers.
The buttery, flaky crust breaks open to reveal chunks of tender chicken, carrots, peas, and potatoes swimming in savory gravy. Unlike many store-bought versions, Costco’s filling isn’t skimpy or watery.
Just pop it in the oven and dinner is sorted. Compare this to takeout pot pies that cost $15+ per single serving, and the math speaks for itself.
4. Meatloaf & Mashed Potato Combo
Mom’s cooking without mom’s effort! This tray combines two comfort food classics that would cost twice as much from a diner. The meatloaf comes perfectly seasoned with a tangy tomato glaze that caramelizes beautifully when heated.
Those creamy mashed potatoes alongside taste homemade, with real butter notes and just the right consistency – not too gluey, not too runny.
Four generous servings make this about $4.50 per person. Add a vegetable side, and you’ve got a complete meal that tastes like Sunday dinner without the Sunday effort.
5. Family-Style Shepherd’s Pie
Imagine paying $15+ per serving at a pub for shepherd’s pie, or grabbing Costco’s massive 5+ pound tray for around $20 total. The math is simple!
Each hearty portion features savory ground beef and vegetables under a blanket of buttery mashed potatoes. The flavor profile hits all the right notes – beefy, savory, with hints of rosemary and thyme that make it taste homemade.
This comfort food classic reheats beautifully for days. Feeding a family of four for two meals at just $2.50 per serving makes this a budget superstar that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.
6. Crowd-Pleasing Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese from restaurants can set you back $12-15 for a single serving. Meanwhile, Costco’s version costs about $14 for the entire tray at $3.49 per pound!
This isn’t your basic boxed stuff either. The sauce strikes the perfect balance between creamy and cheesy, with that stretchy pull when you lift your fork.
The pasta stays surprisingly al dente even after reheating. One tray easily serves eight as a side or four as a main dish. Add some crumbled bacon or diced jalapeños on top before reheating to customize it restaurant-style for pennies extra.
7. Street Taco Fiesta Kit
Taco Tuesday just got way more affordable! At $5.49 per pound, Costco’s street taco kit delivers authentic flavors without restaurant markup.
Each kit includes everything needed for about 12 tacos: seasoned chicken, corn tortillas, lime wedges, cilantro-lime slaw, salsa, and cotija cheese. The chicken has that perfect char-grilled flavor that’s hard to replicate at home.
Restaurant street tacos typically cost $3-4 each, making this kit an incredible value at about $1 per taco. Just warm the tortillas, assemble, and enjoy the fiesta of flavors that rivals your favorite taqueria.
8. Loaded Chicken Quesadilla Platter
When quesadilla cravings hit, skip the $14 appetizer at your local cantina. Costco’s approximately $16 quesadilla kit feeds four people generously with restaurant-quality taste.
The kit includes large flour tortillas stuffed with seasoned chicken and cheese, already grilled to perfection. Accompanying sides of guacamole, sour cream, and salsa add authentic flair that makes this meal feel special.
Heat them up in minutes for a quick weeknight dinner that feels like dining out. At about $4 per person for a complete meal, it’s a fraction of restaurant prices for essentially the same delicious experience.
9. Gourmet Stuffed Bell Peppers
Restaurant-style stuffed peppers often cost $15-18 for just two. Costco offers six generously filled peppers for about $4.99 per pound, typically totaling around $15-18 for the entire tray.
Each colorful bell pepper comes packed with seasoned ground beef, rice, and cheese – a complete meal in one neat package. The flavor profile is spot-on with Italian herbs and a tangy tomato sauce that permeates the filling.
Simply bake until heated through and the cheese turns golden and bubbly. At roughly $3 per pepper, you’re getting a gourmet-tasting meal for a fraction of restaurant prices.
10. Zesty Enchilada Bake
Mexican restaurants charge $15+ for enchilada platters. Costco’s enchilada bake delivers similar flavors for just $5.99 per pound, usually totaling $18-20 for a tray that feeds six.
Layers of shredded rotisserie chicken, beans, corn, rice and cheese create a comforting casserole with authentic Mexican flavors. The sauce strikes that perfect balance between tangy and spicy that makes you come back for seconds.
This dish reheats beautifully and actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld. For busy families, it’s a one-dish wonder that costs about $3 per serving versus $15-18 at restaurants.
11. Yakisoba Stir Fry Sensation
Craving Asian takeout? Skip the $15 noodle dishes and grab Costco’s yakisoba stir fry for just $5.99 per pound. This ready-to-heat meal features tender noodles, perfectly seasoned chicken, and a colorful medley of crisp vegetables.
The savory-sweet sauce has authentic Asian flavors with notes of ginger and garlic that would make any takeout joint proud. A family-sized tray feeds four generously for about $20 total.
Compare that to $60+ for similar takeout, plus delivery fees and tips! Ready in minutes, it’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when Chinese food cravings strike.
12. Ravioli Lasagna Fusion
Italian restaurants charge $18-25 for pasta specialties. Costco’s innovative ravioli lasagna costs just $4.99 per pound, with a family tray running about $20 total.
This clever creation layers meat-filled ravioli with rich Bolognese sauce and melty cheese for a fusion dish that delivers the best of both pasta worlds. The beef and pork sauce has that slow-simmered flavor that tastes like someone’s Italian grandmother spent hours in the kitchen.
Each tray serves 6-8 portions, making it roughly $3 per serving. Add garlic bread and a simple salad for a complete Italian feast at home for a quarter of restaurant prices.
13. Italian-Style Frozen Lasagna
Restaurant lasagna often costs $16-20 per portion. Costco’s Kirkland Signature frozen lasagna delivers the same satisfaction for under $10 for a 3-pound tray that feeds six.
Don’t let the frozen status fool you – this lasagna is packed with Italian sausage, ground beef, and three cheeses between tender pasta sheets.
The marinara sauce has that authentic tomato sweetness balanced with herbs that tastes homemade. Just pop it in the oven for a no-effort dinner that works out to about $1.67 per serving. Paired with a simple salad, you’ve got a restaurant-quality Italian dinner for a fraction of dining out.
14. Spinach and Cheese Ravioli Duo
Fancy pasta houses charge $18-22 for a single ravioli dish. Costco offers a two-pack of spinach and cheese ravioli for just $11.99 that makes multiple meals.
These plump pasta pillows are stuffed with a perfect blend of cheeses and spinach that tastes genuinely Italian. Pair them with Rao’s or Kirkland Signature marinara (also from Costco) for restaurant-quality flavor. Each package makes 4-6 servings, bringing the cost to about $2 per portion.
Compare that to the $20+ you’d spend at an Italian restaurant! Ready in minutes, they’re perfect for those nights when you want something special without special effort.
15. Seafood Starter: Shrimp Cocktail
Restaurant shrimp cocktail appetizers typically run $12-15 for just a few pieces. Costco’s ready-to-eat shrimp cocktail tray costs about $15 and serves four people generously.
Large, plump shrimp circle the container with a tangy cocktail sauce in the center. The shrimp are properly cleaned and deveined, with that perfect snappy texture that indicates freshness and proper preparation.
Serve as an impressive appetizer or pair with a salad for a light dinner. At less than $4 per person, you’re getting restaurant-quality seafood at supermarket prices – a true bargain for seafood lovers who typically pay premium prices for prepared shrimp.
16. Classic Caesar Salad
Restaurant Caesar salads often cost $10-12 for a single serving. Costco’s version runs about $8 for a kit that serves 4-6 people as a side.
Crisp romaine lettuce comes with a creamy Caesar dressing that hits all the right notes – garlicky, slightly tangy, with that distinctive anchovy undertone. The included parmesan cheese and crunchy croutons add the perfect finishing touches.
Add grilled chicken from the rotisserie section for a complete meal. At roughly $2 per serving, it’s a fraction of restaurant prices for the same fresh, crisp experience. The convenience factor makes this a regular in many Costco shoppers’ carts.
17. Loaded Chicken Sandwich Pack
Specialty sandwich shops charge $9-12 for a single sandwich. Costco’s chicken sandwich pack costs approximately $13 for multiple sandwiches that feed 4-6 people.
Each sandwich comes loaded with tender chicken, cheese, fresh tomato, and lettuce on bakery-quality bread. The flavors are fresh and balanced, not overly salty like many prepared foods.
Perfect for lunch, dinner, or even picnics, these ready-to-eat sandwiches work out to about $3 each. That’s less than a third of what you’d pay at a sandwich chain for essentially the same product – making them a smart choice for families or anyone watching their food budget.
18. Meatball Sub
Sub shops charge $8-10 for a 6-inch meatball sandwich. Costco’s beef and pork meatball sub costs about $12-13 for a massive footlong that easily feeds two people.
This monster sandwich comes loaded with perfectly seasoned meatballs, melty cheese, and marinara sauce on a soft yet sturdy roll. The meatballs have that perfect texture – not too dense, not too soft – with Italian seasoning that tastes homemade.
Cut it in half for two meals at around $6 per person. Even better, these subs taste amazing after a quick reheat in the oven, making them perfect for those nights when cooking feels impossible.
19. Pizza Night Game-Changer
Delivery pizza easily costs $20-25 plus tip for a large pie. Costco’s Kirkland Signature pizzas are just $9.95 for an enormous 18-inch pizza that feeds a whole family.
Whether you choose cheese or pepperoni, these extra-large pies feature a surprisingly good crust that crisps up nicely in your home oven. The sauce has that perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, while generous cheese coverage ensures every bite is satisfying.
With 12 substantial slices per pizza, you’re paying less than 85 cents per slice. Compare that to $3-4 per slice from delivery chains! For budget-friendly family pizza nights, nothing beats this value.
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