With restaurant prices rising due to inflation, I’ve found it’s often much cheaper to buy prepared foods at Costco. My family of four, including two teenage kids, can easily spend at least $18 per person at a fast-casual restaurant, totaling $72 or more without drinks, appetizers or desserts. Meanwhile, I can feed my entire family a delicious meal at Costco for around $20 or less. Whether I’m looking for a quick weeknight dinner or trying to save money, Costco’s prepared foods are my go-to. Here are some of my favorite Costco foods that are budget-friendly alternatives to takeout!
Costco Chicken Alfredo
Costco’s Chicken Alfredo is a family favorite and a staple in our dinner rotation. Priced at around $18 for a generously sized tray, this delicious dish is packed with chicken, pasta, and creamy Alfredo sauce. It easily feeds my family of four, making it an alternative to ordering takeout Italian food—at a fraction of the cost!
Costco Chicken Pot Pie
Costco’s Chicken Pot Pie is one of my favorite prepared food deals. At just $3.99 a pound, a giant pie usually costs me around $20 to $25. This hearty dish easily feeds my family of four with plenty of leftovers. It’s the perfect comfort food for those busy (or lazy) weeknight evenings when I don’t feel like cooking!
Costco Rotisserie Chicken
Costco’s famous rotisserie chicken is the best prepared food deal they offer. For just $4.99, I can get a whole chicken that easily feeds my family of four. I usually serve the rotisserie chicken with Costco’s mac and cheese, which is around $12 a tray—still cheaper than what I’d spend on takeout!
Costco Chili
Costco’s Chili is a family favorite and a staple in our dinner rotation during the winter months. Priced at around $16-$17 for a large container, it’s a delicious chili that easily feeds my family of four, with leftovers for the next day. It’s a much cheaper alternative to takeout and certainly beats spending hours in the kitchen making chili from scratch!
Costco Shepherd’s Pie
Costco’s large Shepherd’s Pie (over 5 lbs) is one of the best prepared food deals at Costco. Priced at around $20, this massive pie can feed my family of four with leftovers for the next day, making it a budget-friendly alternative to takeout. No restaurant can beat this amazing Costco price!
Costco Hot Dog
Costco’s famous $1.50 hot dog and soda combo is arguably the best deal at the food court that no restaurant can match. For just $1.50, you get an extra-large hot dog loaded with fixings like chopped onions, pickles, and ketchup, plus a large soda with unlimited refills. I find myself stopping in Costco for a quick lunch or buying a Costco hotdog combo as an after school snack for my teenage kids. It’s impossible to find a better deal anywhere else!
Costco Chicken Bake
Costco’s Chicken Bake is a great alternative to pricey deli sandwiches. Priced at just $3.99, you get a delicious chicken bake filled with chicken, bacon, Caesar dressing, and cheese, all wrapped in a warm, soft dough. It’s a better deal than most deli sandwiches or takeout.
Costco Pizza
Costco has the best price on fresh pizzas. For just $9.95, I can get an extra-large pizza with 12 generous slices in either cheese or pepperoni. It easily feeds my family of four. The best part? I can call in my order while I shop and pick it up hot after checking out. With such an amazingly low price, it’s a better deal than ordering pizza from a local pizzeria.
Kirkland Frozen Lasagna
Kirkland’s Frozen Lasagna is cheaper than takeout Italian and is one of my go-to meals. For less than $10, I get a 3 lb tray filled with Italian sausage, beef, cheese, and delicious marinara sauce. It’s a delicious meal that’s perfect for feeding my family. I always keep a frozen lasagna in my freezer for those busy weeknight evenings when I need something easy.
Kirkland Spinach and Cheese Ravioli
Kirkland’s Spinach and Cheese Ravioli is one of my favorite budget-friendly meals, especially with Rao’s marinara or Alfredo sauce. For $11.99, I get a two-pack of fresh ravioli, and at about $5-6 for the Rao’s sauce, it’s much cheaper than Italian restaurant takeout. This meal easily feeds my family of four.
Costco Chicken Sandwich
Costco’s Chicken Sandwich is much cheaper than the local deli sandwiches. At around $13 per pack, it can easily feed two people. Each sandwich comes with chicken, cheese, tomato, and lettuce. It’s a great value compared to takeout, perfect for weekday lunch. Check out 26 Things I Never Pay Full Price at Costco
Costco Caesar Salad
Costco’s Caesar Salad is my go-to for a quick salad lunch. A large pre-made salad costs around $8 and includes chopped romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, and croutons. I usually have leftovers! It’s much cheaper than ordering Caesar salad from a restaurant. Check out 10 Costco Shopping Mistakes that Waste Money for Couples and Small Families
Costco Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes
Costco’s Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes is a family favorite in our household. It’s perfect for busy nights and always makes its way into our dinner rotation. Priced at around $18 for a large tray, it comes with meatloaf and creamy mashed potatoes. This hearty meal easily feeds my family of four, with leftovers to spare. It’s much cheaper than restaurant takeout! Check out Best Costco Asian Food that You Need to Try
Costco Cold Salads
Costco always has healthy cold salads that I love for a light meal or side dish. The Grain and Celery Salad and Autumn Grain Salad are complete plant-based meals packed with vegetables and grains. Priced at around $10 to $13 for a large container, they’re a budget-friendly option that easily feeds my family. I often serve them with Costco’s rotisserie chicken, or they make a perfect weekday lunch for me. It’s much cheaper than takeout. Check out 30 Easy Costco Party Snacks and Appetizers
Costco Shrimp Cocktail
Costco has one of the lowest prices for Shrimp Cocktail. Priced around $15, I get a pack of delicious shrimp with cocktail sauce that easily feeds my family of four as an appetizer. I also love serving it when hosting small dinner parties—it’s a quick and easy appetizer. The shrimp cocktail price at Costco is definitely better than what I’d pay at a restaurant. Check out 19 Things Cheaper at Costco Than Anywhere Else
Costco Chicken Quesadilla
Costco’s Chicken Quesadillas are a go-to meal in my house that my kids love. A pack of large quesadillas costs around $16. They’re easy to heat up, making them convenient for busy weeknights. While they’re not quite enough to feed my whole family of four which includes 2 hungry teens, I always serve them with a Costco rotisserie chicken to round out the meal. The price is definitely a better deal than takeout Mexican food! Check out 15 Easy Costco Meals for Lazy Weeknight Dinners
Costco Meatball Sub
Costco’s Beef and Pork Meatball Sub has become a family favorite. Priced at around $12-$13, this footlong sandwich is filled with delicious meatballs, cheese, and marinara sauce. While one sandwich isn’t enough to feed my family of four, I usually buy two, which gives us enough to eat with some leftovers. It’s still cheaper than ordering a takeout sub! Check out 21 Things I Always Buy at Costco