News & Trending Shopping & Deals News

14 Low-Priced Costco Staples for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Make weeknight dinners a breeze with these essential Costco items you can't live without.

woman holding frying pan
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Gathering all the ingredients you need for meal planning can be a chore in and of itself.

That’s why many Costco members buy items in bulk at the superstore to save money on groceries and time in the kitchen.

There are so many easy dinner staples to find, along with all the sides and fixings you could want. It’s a great way to enjoy delicious meals that are ready-made or easy to prepare.

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

Earn 2% cash rewards at grocery stores and Costco

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) is a powerful rewards card that allows you to earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — including on groceries, even at warehouse stores like Costco.

New cardholders can also earn a one-time cash rewards bonus — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months!

If you’re looking for a powerful rewards card that offers an extended intro APR period, look no further, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card checks that box too!

This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card now.

Annie’s Organic Mac and Cheese Variety Pack

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Annies organic mac and cheese

Price: $17.49

There’s so much you can do with mac and cheese (especially when you're keeping more money in your bank account)!

This variety pack has three different flavors to mix and match your meals. Add your favorite proteins, toppings, and more for a quick dinner that the whole family can appreciate.

Kirkland Signature Grass-Fed Beef Patties

Courtesy of Costco Costco's grass fed beef patties Kirkland Signature

Price: $32.95

Get a craft burger taste at an affordable price with grass-fed beef patties. 

This 15-pack of burgers is perfect for outdoor grill night. To complete the meal, grab your favorite bun, fries, veggies, and condiments at Costco.

Rana Maine Lobster Ravioli

Courtesy of Costco 2-pack of lobster ravioli from Costco

Price: $12.99

Pasta night just got a whole lot easier.

With this lobster ravioli, you can add meat sauce or make soup from this versatile pasta. Just grab some garlic bread or rolls, and you’ve got a handy meal.

Stop overpaying when you shop online at Costco

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1

Get Capital One Shopping now

Frontera Chicken Fajita Bowl

Courtesy of Costco Chicken fajita bowl ready-meal

Price: $12.39

Make a flavorful fajita bowl with chicken raised without antibiotics. This meal has no artificial ingredients, it includes fire-roasted peppers, a healthy grain blend, and the chipotle sauce that gives it just the kick you need.

Yet another Costco ready-made item for an easy weeknight meal.

Kirkland Signature Basil Pesto

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature basil pesto

Price: $10.69

Here’s a fun ingredient that works with a variety of easy dinners.

Pair this with your pasta or homemade pizza for an authentic Italian taste. And adding a scoop to your soup will inject a rich flavor.

Kirkland Signature Smoked Pulled Pork

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature smoked pulled pork

Price: $16.79

Have an easy barbecue night without ever firing up the grill.

This ready-made pulled pork makes it simple to have delicious sandwiches, BBQ nachos, and more. Snag some grilling staples, like baked beans, during your shop to round out the meal.

Kirkland Signature Chunk Chicken Breasts

Courtesy of Costco Costco-Kirkland Signature Chicken Breast

Price: $14.99

Just add these chicken breasts to any easy meal.

This chicken elevates any weeknight dinner. Try it in a hearty mac and cheese or make healthy chicken wraps.

Rotisserie Chicken

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz rotisserie chicken

Price: $4.99

Costco’s rotisserie chicken is one popular ready-to-go meal.

This affordable dinner option just requires your favorite sides and is ready to eat. You can even make a pulled chicken recipe for sandwiches, wraps, and more.

Marie Callender's NAE Chicken Pot Pies

Courtesy of Costco Marie Callenders chicken pot pie at Costco

Price: $14.99

These chicken pot pies make a perfect comfort-food dinner.

This is an easy dinner that you can just pop in the oven while you relax after work. each pie has 25g of protein and no preservatives. It's microwavable, but we all know the perfect crust is well worth the time cooking in the oven.

Get a protection plan on all your appliances

Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.

Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.

For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.

Get a free quote

Kirkland Signature Stir-Fry Vegetable Blend

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz stir fry vegetable blend

Price: $11.79

Making a convenient stir fry with this blend might be your new go-to recipe.

Just add your favorite proteins from Costco’s refrigerated or frozen section. And spice it up with your favorite seasonings or sauces for an international night that is affordable and accessible.

Kirkland Signature Farm-Raised Raw Shrimp

Courtesy of Instacart bag of frozen shrimp from Costco

Price: $13.59

Looking for a healthier ingredient to add to your dinners?

Use this frozen shrimp to toss in anything from pasta to rice, or simply saute it with some veggies. And at this low price, it’s a handy staple to have in your freezer for any meal.

Rao's Homemade Marinara Sauce

Courtesy of Costco A package of Rao's Marinara Sauce from Costco

Price: $13.59

This pasta sauce may soon become a must-have on your shopping list.

Get classic Italian flavor at Costco’s bargain prices. You can try this with the tortelloni mentioned above for a cheesy dish.

Kirkland Signature Organic Salsa

Courtesy of Walmart containers of Kirkland Signature organic salsa

Price: $11.49

This tasty salsa isn’t just for dipping chips.

You can create your own taco or burrito bar for a fun family dinner. Or mix this with ranch dressing for a creamy salad dressing that boosts any meal.

Don Pancho Cilantro Lime Crema Sauce

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz cilantro lime cream sauce

Price: $7.99

If you like Costco’s tacos, then you’ve got to buy this sauce.

Inject a nice kick into your Tex-Mex dishes with this cilantro lime crema. It’s a cost-effective product that quickly elevates your dinners.

Pro tip: When shopping at Costco, remember that they only accept certain types of credit cards. You can use the right one that also offers you rewards like cash back to maximize how far your money can go.

Bottom line

LStockStudio/Adobe friends enjoying holiday

Costco has a wide range of value-sized products at cost-effective prices that will help you cut grocery costs.

Buying your dinners here can mean saving money and time so that you can spend your summer on other fun activities and vacations.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details


Author Details

Ariel Taranski

Ariel Taranski is a writer for FinanceBuzz. She has worked as a content marketer for CPAs and financial advisors, and she enjoys being frugal and money-savvy in her day-to-day life. Ariel has also worked with clients such as The Knot, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Alpha Prime, and many more in her time as a freelance writer.