I’ve Tried Dozens of Costco’s Italian Foods and This Is My Favorite

Skip takeout and save money at Costco on restaurant-quality Italian sides, starters, mains, and sweet treats. Not sure which of the warehouse club’s bulk buys or prepared picks to start with? You don’t have to waste time or money scouring the store. We’ve rounded up our favorites for you.

From savory meatballs smothered in mouthwatering marinara to the tastiest tiramisu, our top contenders have everything you would expect from an Italian eatery — minus the high price. And even though we choose one winner to put in the number one spot, all of these options are budget-friendly meal ideas you can try at home.

Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $15.99

This pasta goes from the fridge to your table in about nine minutes — making it one of our top picks. Each bag includes pasta, creamy alfredo sauce with fresh spinach, and grilled white meat chicken. And bonus, the bargain buy is USDA organic. Simply microwave the pre-cooked meal and serve. Pair the hearty pasta with toasted garlic bread or a hot cup of wedding soup.

Price: $5.99 per pound

Don’t waste money on delivery fees. Instead of takeout, try this prepared meatball sandwich. The Italian-style hoagie is sold by the pound and includes beef and pork meatballs, marinara sauce, artisan bread, provolone, and shredded parmesan.

If $5.99 per pound seems like a lot, take it from Redditor CrrntryGrntlrmrn, “It was priced a little on the high side, but I think it may be due to the meatballs not being frozen ones. It was delicious, big recommend.” And, at Costco’s price, a heart two-pound size is under $12. The Classic Meatball Sandwich at the Spaghetti Warehouse could cost you $15.63.

Price: $7.79

Snag this 19-ounce jar of Italian olives for under $8. While this runner-up doesn’t fall into the main meal category, you can serve it as part of an antipasto platter or add it to your favorite recipe.

This pick’s price put it on our list. You’ll pay $0.41 per ounce at Costco. The same product costs $0.53 per ounce on the World Market website.

Price: $11.79

We had to include this delicious dessert as a runner-up. The classic sweet treat is an indulgent option made with Italian mascarpone, coffee-soaked sponge cake, and a dusting of cocoa powder. The individual cups are perfect for a solo snack. But if you want to share, each pack includes six three-ounce gourmet goodies.

Price: $13.99

Save time and money with this three-pound pack of ready-to-heat-and-eat meatballs in Italian-style sauce. A savory blend of ground beef, pecorino romano cheese, and seasoned breadcrumbs covered in tomato, garlic, olive oil, and bay leaf-infused marinara make this runner-up one of the top Costco picks on our list. Compare the warehouse club’s low $13.99 price for 36 ounces to $12.99 for a smaller 24-ounce bag of Rao’s version at Target.

We’re not the only ones who savor this flavor. Costco Reddit user DontCallMeBugsy raved, “These are one of my favorites…Excellent for pasta, but also meatball sandwiches. A definite thumbs up for this item.”

Price: $11.29 per pound

Add a touch of authenticity to your next Italian meal at home with this pecorino romano wedge. Shave or shred the cheese and use it to top spaghetti and marinara sauce, a from-scratch pizza, or sprinkle over hearty sausage lasagna. Aged over nine months, this cheese has a standout flavor that deserves a spot on this “best of” list.

Check your local Costco for the best price. We found this cheese for $10.49 per pound locally.

Price: $10.99

Get four pounds of cheese-filled ravioli for under $11. Not only is the frozen prepared pasta a steal of a deal, but it’s also easy to make. Cook this freezer find in three to five minutes. Add meat sauce, marinara, alfredo, or a drizzle of olive oil.

Seviroli’s price works out to $0.17 per ounce. You’ll pay $0.35 (per ounce) for Bertolli’s Cheese and Spinach Ravioli at Target.

Price: $9.99

Planning a party? This Italian antipasto platter has everything you need. The 16-ounce size includes mixed olives, sliced prosciutto, pepper-coated sliced salami, and cheese. Just peel away the plastic cover and serve.

The bulk buy bargain is less than what you would pay for a deli takeout charcuterie board — but that's not all. You can also save money at Costco. Giant grocery store charges $4 more ($13.99) for a smaller 12-ounce Fratelli Beretta artisan tray.

Price: $12.99

Turn dessert into a fun family activity with this two-pound cannoli-making kit. Each set contains 24 handmade cannoli shells and enough dreamy chocolate chip-packed cream to fill them.

How does the price of this make-your-own Italian dessert compare to what specialty retailers charge? You can buy the 24-pack Mini Cannoli Kit from Carlo’s Bake Shop online for $49.95. But you’ll have to pay for shipping and wait for your delivery.

Price: $13.59

Rao’s sauce is an all-time fan favorite that almost reached the number-one spot. When one Costco Redditor posted a picture of the store’s Kirkland brand marinara and claimed it was the best, other shoppers had something to say about it. GlitteringPause8 commented, “Rao’s is so much better.”

This double-pack includes two 28-ounce jars of the savory, high-quality blend. Use it to make lasagna, pour it over penne, or add it to chicken parm.

Price: $16.99

Kirkland’s Margherita pie is a pricey pick compared to frozen pizzas. Even though it’s $16.99 in stores, we still think this pick deserves a runner-up spot. The price of this freshly made take-and-bake pizza is a bargain compared to what you could pay for the same meal at an Italian eatery.

Price: $11.49 (on sale from $15.99)

And the winner is…Rana’s Beef and Short Rib Lasagna. This lasagna made it to the top of our list for a few reasons — including its flavor, convenience, and price. Instead of spending the day in the kitchen cooking, just microwave this family-sized, two-plus-pound meal in eight minutes. Serve it with a shaved parm-topped green salad, toasty Italian bread, or wedding soup.

The cost of the number one Italian food find also makes it a top choice. Target sells Rao’s 27-ounce Frozen Meat Lasagna for $12.99. That’s over $1 more than this 42-ounce refrigerated tray.

Whether you’re planning a party or stocking your kitchen with dinner-ready options, Costco has all the Italian items you need to make your favorite recipes. Our top finds feature some of the most affordable app-ready olives, perfect pecorino, cheesy ravioli, and delicious desserts — and you’ll want to try them ASAP.

Even though our runners-up and winning meal can help you to stay on budget, these deals aren’t the only way to save money shopping. How can you lower your monthly grocery bill? Snag a few Costco store-brand generics and look for special dollars-off discounts throughout the store.