13 Delicious Costco Meals That Are Cheaper Than Takeout

Don't feel like cooking? Takeout can be a solid option if you have plenty of money to spare. Unfortunately, while takeout is convenient, it isn't cheap.

Fortunately, you're a Costco member. With a little advance planning, it's not hard to stock your fridge, freezer, and pantry with affordable and delicious take-out substitutes.

Costco's bulk sizes make it easy to keep quick meals on hand for busy weeknights without relying on expensive restaurant delivery. Many of these prepared and frozen foods require little more than a microwave, toaster oven, or conventional oven, helping you serve satisfying meals in minutes. While warehouse inventory varies by region and season, Costco regularly stocks a mix of ready-to-eat favorites and freezer staples that offer strong value compared with ordering takeout for a family. Planning ahead with a stocked freezer can save both time and money throughout the week.

Keep reading for 15 items to add to your list of Costco hacks for your next shopping trip to make meal time a bit easier.

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

Price: $21.55

Not that there's anything wrong with microwavable frozen burritos, but if you're craving something more filling and flavorful, chicken tamales might hit the spot.

These protein-rich tamales are hand-wrapped in traditional corn husks for maximum texture, form, and authenticity. They can serve as the centerpiece for a family meal or a quick mid-day snack.

This 15-count package contains fully cooked, gluten-free tamales made with stone-ground corn masa and seasoned chicken in red chile sauce. They heat in just a few minutes in the microwave or can be steamed for a softer texture. Serve them with salsa, guacamole, Mexican rice, or refried beans for a more complete meal. Many Costco shoppers appreciate the convenience and authentic preparation, though some recommend steaming instead of microwaving to help keep the masa moist.

Price: $16.99

In America, ramen is considered a college student staple that's both cheap and fairly flavorless.

But dressing up some basic instant ramen with a soft-boiled egg, green onions, mushrooms, sprouts, and a dash of fish stock or soy sauce can turn a simple noodle bowl into a savory (and still affordable) meal.

Buying ramen in bulk makes it easy to keep a quick meal available whenever your schedule gets hectic. The noodles cook in about three minutes and serve as a versatile base for proteins such as rotisserie chicken, shrimp, tofu, or leftover vegetables. Many shoppers also add sesame oil, chili crisp, garlic, or fresh herbs to create a more restaurant-style bowl without spending much more. Costco's large packs provide excellent value compared with buying individual packages at traditional grocery stores.

Price: $20.69

If you like your instant ramen with a little more spice, Nongshim-brand Korean Shin Ramyun has a delicious beef-stock base and the perfect amount of authentic heat.

Widely regarded as one of the most popular premium instant ramen brands, Shin Ramyun features chewy noodles and a rich, spicy broth that stands up well to additional ingredients. Add sliced beef, soft-boiled eggs, mushrooms, spinach, bok choy, or green onions to transform it into a hearty meal. Many ramen enthusiasts praise its bold flavor and satisfying texture, making it a favorite pantry staple for anyone craving Korean-style instant noodles that taste more substantial than traditional instant ramen.

Price: $12.99

In the mood to have breakfast for dinner?

Whipping up a quick batch of pancakes with a Costco-sized bag of Krusteez pancake mix is pretty fast and easy, but you can simplify dinner further by popping some Eggo Pancakes in the toaster for a mess-free meal.

These frozen buttermilk pancakes cook in just a few minutes in a toaster, oven, or microwave, making them a convenient option for busy mornings or quick dinners. Top them with fresh berries, sliced bananas, Greek yogurt, nut butter, or a drizzle of maple syrup for a more balanced meal. They also pair well with scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, or bacon when you want a classic breakfast spread. Costco's larger package offers a lower cost per pancake than purchasing smaller boxes at many grocery stores.

Price: $13.99

The only thing better than a hearty chicken pot pie might be an individual hand pie you can eat on the go.

Marie Callender's mini pot pies are made of chicken, carrots, peas, and gravy inside a rich, buttery crust.

With 17 grams of protein per pie and several servings of vegetables, this meal helps you meet your health goals and keep more money in your pocket.

The individual portions make meal planning simple because you can prepare only what you need instead of baking an entire family-size entrée. Baking in the oven creates a flaky, golden crust, while microwave preparation offers a faster alternative for busy weeknights. Pair a pot pie with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables to round out the meal. Many longtime fans appreciate the comforting flavor and generous filling, making these frozen classics a dependable freezer staple.

Price: $12.99

Don't wait around for Domino's to deliver an overpriced pizza. Just preheat your oven and pop in two pepperoni pizzas instead.

If you've never had a Detroit-style pizza before, you're in for a treat: Detroit's trademark pizza comes square-shaped with a hefty layer of Wisconsin brick cheese on top of a chewy deep-dish crust.

The Double Pepperoni variety features pepperoni both beneath and on top of the cheese, helping create crispy edges while delivering bold flavor in every bite. Baking the pizza directly on the included tray produces the caramelized cheese crust that Detroit-style pizza is known for. Each package contains two pizzas, making it easy to feed a family or save one for another meal. Customer reviews consistently praise the thick, airy crust and pizzeria-quality taste, especially considering the affordable warehouse price.

Price: $16.99

You don't have to slice and dice your own carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli, beans, and peppers to create an authentic, flavorful yakisoba dinner.

These vegetarian stir-fried noodle bowls are fully cooked and ready to eat after just three minutes in the microwave.

Plus, unlike a home-cooked stir fry, they don't leave behind any mess to clean up.

Each individually portioned bowl makes an easy lunch or light dinner and can be customized with grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, or a fried egg for additional protein. The savory soy-based sauce coats the noodles and vegetables evenly, creating a balanced blend of sweet and umami flavors. Costco shoppers frequently mention the convenience of the microwave-ready bowls, especially for work-from-home lunches or quick dinners when there's little time to cook from scratch.

Price: $4.99

Costco's rotisserie chicken is a favorite item for long-time fans.

Costco doesn't necessarily turn a profit from its best-known deal, but the cheap chicken alone is such a customer draw that Costco isn't likely to up the price (which has been consistent since 2009) anytime soon, if ever.

The fully cooked chicken is seasoned, hot, and ready to serve straight from the deli, making it one of the warehouse's most popular purchases. It's versatile enough to use in sandwiches, tacos, soups, casseroles, salads, pasta dishes, and meal-prep lunches throughout the week. Many shoppers also save the bones to make homemade chicken stock. Compared with purchasing a whole cooked chicken from many supermarkets or ordering rotisserie chicken from restaurants, Costco's consistently low price continues to make it one of the best values in the warehouse.

Price: $9.99

Turn your rotisserie chicken into a full meal by adding a hearty side of mashed potatoes.

No need to order from KFC. This three-pound box makes 65 servings of buttery mashed potatoes in just a few minutes flat.

The dehydrated potato flakes prepare quickly with hot water, butter, and milk, making them a convenient pantry staple for busy evenings. The potatoes pair well with roasted meats, meatloaf, grilled chicken, pork chops, or turkey dinners, and they can also serve as a topping for shepherd's pie. Costco's large box provides excellent value for families or anyone who likes keeping easy side dishes on hand. Many customers praise the creamy texture and homemade taste despite the quick preparation.

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Price: $15.99

If lasagna isn't your favorite, Kirkland Signature has a host of other hearty, affordable choices, starting with these chicken bakes.

As an American-style, calzone-adjacent treat, chicken bakes are pizza crusts stuffed with chicken, bacon, and cheese. Caesar salad dressing and green onions added some extra zing.

The frozen version brings home one of Costco's popular food court favorites, allowing you to bake them until the crust turns golden and crisp. Each chicken bake works well as a filling lunch or dinner on its own, or you can serve it with a side salad, roasted vegetables, or fresh fruit for a more balanced meal. Customers appreciate the generous filling and satisfying portion size, making them a convenient alternative to ordering fast food.

Price: $18.99

Kirkland Signature, Costco's in-house brand, is well known for its quality. And in true Costco style, Kirkland Signature doesn't trade that quality for quantity, instead bringing you both at budget-friendly prices.

The brand's lasagna is a prime example: With four savory layers of real Italian sausage, 100% USDA Choice ground beef, and sauce made from vine-ripened tomatoes, and heaps of mozzarella and ricotta cheese, this particular Kirkland Signature feast is hard to beat.

The generous tray serves multiple people, making it an economical choice for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep. Simply bake according to the package directions for a bubbling, cheesy entrée with minimal hands-on effort. Pair it with garlic bread and a simple green salad for a complete Italian-inspired meal. Costco members frequently praise the rich meat sauce, generous cheese layers, and restaurant-style flavor, making this one of the warehouse's most consistently popular prepared frozen entrées.

Price: $16.79

Is there anything more comforting than a bowl of mac and cheese? This low-effort meal requires only a splash of milk and a few tablespoons of butter to complete.

Bought in bulk from Costco, each box costs just a little over $1.

The familiar elbow macaroni and signature cheese sauce make this a dependable pantry staple for quick lunches, easy dinners, or late-night comfort food. It's also easy to customize by adding cooked chicken, broccoli, peas, bacon, tuna, or hot sauce for extra flavor and nutrition. Buying a warehouse-sized multipack helps lower the cost per box compared with purchasing smaller quantities at many grocery stores. Families often appreciate having several boxes on hand for busy weeknights or emergency meals.

Price: $10.69

Whether you're already familiar with seaweed salad or you're looking to add an interesting new flavor to your rotating meal list, seaweed salad is a tasty choice.

Seaweed is packed with nutrients, and it's also a prime example of umami, one of the five distinct tastes on the human flavor palate.

Salty, savory umami is found throughout most global cuisines, but until you've had seaweed with chili pepper, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sesame seeds, you're missing out on an innovative twist on this fascinating flavor profile.

This ready-to-serve salad is commonly enjoyed alongside sushi, grilled seafood, rice bowls, or poke, but it also works well as a light appetizer or refreshing side dish. The combination of tender seaweed and tangy sesame dressing creates a balance of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors. Seaweed naturally contains minerals such as iodine, making it a popular ingredient in many Asian cuisines. Costco shoppers frequently praise the fresh taste, generous portion size, and convenience of serving it straight from the refrigerator.

All the Costco items on our list are available online, but there's a good chance you can find them at your local Costco warehouse for an even lower in-store price.

Be sure to leave room on your Costco list (and in your budget) for in-person finds and spur-of-the-moment purchases. You might want to take your best cash back credit cards to earn more when you shop, just in case.

You might find your new favorite go-to meal with any trip, and with those Costco-sized packages, you'll have enough convenient dinner options to remove take-out from your meal schedule for good.

Keeping a mix of frozen entrées, pantry staples, and ready-to-eat foods on hand makes it much easier to skip expensive delivery when you're short on time. Costco's bulk pricing often lowers the cost per serving, especially for families or anyone who meal preps throughout the week. By combining these convenient products with fresh produce or simple side dishes, you can enjoy satisfying meals at home while spending considerably less than you would on regular takeout orders.