Some days, cooking dinner is the last thing you want to do. You’re tired, the kitchen is already a mess, and figuring out what to make feels like one more thing on your list.
Before spending money on takeout, it might be worth checking Costco. With its prepared meals, refrigerated foods, and frozen dinner options, Costco offers plenty of ways to put something on the table without starting from scratch.
Some meals need only a few minutes in the microwave, while others go straight into the oven. Here are 15 Costco dinner shortcuts to keep in mind for the next time you just don’t feel like cooking.
1. Chicken Street Tacos
Costco’s chicken street taco kit is an easy choice when everyone wants something a little different for dinner. It comes with prepared chicken, tortillas, shredded cabbage, cheese, salsa, and cilantro-lime crema, so you just need to warm everything up. Put the ingredients on the table and let everyone build their own tacos.
2. Kirkland Signature Italian Sausage and Beef Lasagna
Keeping a frozen lasagna in the freezer can save you on nights when you haven’t planned dinner. Costco’s Kirkland Signature version comes layered with pasta, meat sauce, and cheese, so you don’t have to assemble or prepare anything. It takes time to bake, but you can do other things while the oven does the work.
3. Stuffed Bell Peppers
If you’ve ever made stuffed peppers from scratch, you know it takes quite a bit of prep. Costco sells them already filled with ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce, ready to cook at home. They’re filling enough to serve on their own, although a side salad or some bread works well too.
4. Sukhi’s Chicken Tikka Masala
Sukhi’s refrigerated chicken tikka masala is a convenient option when you’re craving Indian food but don’t want to order delivery. The chicken comes in a seasoned tomato-based sauce that you can heat and serve over rice. Add naan or a bag of frozen vegetables, and you’ve got dinner with very little effort.
5. Rotisserie Chicken
Costco’s rotisserie chicken is a popular purchase for a reason. It’s already cooked, relatively inexpensive, and can be turned into dinner in several different ways. Serve it with mashed potatoes and vegetables, shred it for sandwiches, or make quick chicken quesadillas.
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6. Bibigo Steamed Dumplings
Costco carries Bibigo dumplings that are easy to prepare when you want something warm without spending much time in the kitchen. Depending on the variety, you can heat them in the microwave or cook them according to the package directions. Pair them with frozen stir-fry vegetables or rice for a simple meal.
7. Meatloaf With Mashed Potatoes
Costco’s prepared meatloaf is a convenient alternative to making an entire comfort-food dinner from scratch. The tray includes meatloaf, glaze, and buttery mashed potatoes you heat at home. It’s especially useful when you want something hearty but don’t feel like peeling potatoes or mixing ground beef.
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8. Yakisoba Stir-Fry Kit
Costco’s yakisoba kit makes it easy to get a stir-fry on the table without preparing all the ingredients yourself. The chicken, noodles, vegetables, and sauce come together in a skillet in a relatively short amount of time. You can also use less sauce if you prefer a lighter flavor.
9. Kirkland Signature Cheese Pizza
A frozen cheese pizza is always useful to have on hand for an unplanned dinner. Costco’s Kirkland Signature cheese pizzas are easy to bake and serve, with no preparation beyond preheating the oven. Add a bagged salad or some fresh fruit, and dinner is handled.
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10. Chicken Enchilada Bake
Making enchiladas from scratch takes several steps, but Costco’s prepared version handles most of them. The large casserole includes chicken, tortillas, beans, enchilada sauce, and cheese. Just bake it and divide it into portions.
11. Tasty Bite Madras Lentils
For an especially quick dinner, keep Costco’s multipacks of Tasty Bite Madras Lentils in the pantry. The seasoned lentils and beans come in microwaveable pouches that can be ready in minutes. Serve them over rice, with naan, or alongside a simple salad for an easy meatless meal.
12. Kirkland Signature Chicken Alfredo
Costco’s deli chicken Alfredo is another option for nights when you’re craving pasta without making it from scratch. It comes in a large tray with pasta, chicken, and creamy Alfredo sauce that you heat at home. Add a little black pepper or Parmesan and serve it with vegetables if you want to round out the meal.
13. Pura Vida Roasted Vegetables
Sometimes the hardest part of dinner is prepping all the vegetables. Costco carries Pura Vida frozen roasted vegetable blends that can save you the washing, chopping, and seasoning. Pair them with a ready-made protein, microwaveable grains, or another Costco prepared food for a simple dinner.
14. Costco Chicken Pot Pie
Costco’s large chicken pot pie is a good option when you’re feeding several people and don’t want to prepare a casserole yourself. It’s filled with chicken, vegetables, and a creamy sauce under a pastry crust. You’ll need to allow plenty of baking time, but it requires very little hands-on work.
15. Kirkland Signature Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks
Costco’s frozen breaded chicken chunks are great for evenings when you want dinner to be as uncomplicated as possible. Heat them according to the package instructions, then serve with fries, vegetables, or a salad. You can also toss them in a favorite sauce and add rice for an easy chicken bowl.
