15 Costco Items You'll Love When You Don't Want To Cook

Costco is packed with ingredients for great meals that can be cooked at home, but what happens when there's no time (or desire) to cook?

Fortunately, the warehouse retailer offers plenty of items that are easy to prepare or require little prep work, so you can get more out of your Costco membership.

So if you're not a cook, check out these things instead from your favorite Costco.

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

One of the best ways to stretch your fast food budget is to stop by the warehouse retailer's food court before you start wandering the aisles to order a pizza.

Do your shopping, check out, and arrive back at the food court for a perfectly hot pizza ready for you to take home with no cooking required by you.

A whole Costco pizza is also a relatively inexpensive way to feed a group without paying restaurant prices for several individual meals. A standard whole pizza has 12 slices, making it easy to divide among family members or save leftovers for another meal. The food court is also a convenient alternative when you don't want to spend money on delivery fees, takeout charges, or restaurant tips. At around $10 for a whole pizza in many U.S. warehouses, it can be one of the cheaper no-cook dinner options around.

A good way to get some extra protein if you don't cook is to grab a good protein bar.

Check out the chocolate brownie version of Kirkland Signature Protein Bars. The protein bars come in a two-pack with 20 bars each, so you'll have plenty to keep you going throughout the day.

Costco's Kirkland Signature Protein Bars are also certified gluten-free, giving shoppers another reason to keep them stocked in the pantry. The two-pack includes 20 Chocolate Brownie bars and 20 Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bars, so you're getting 40 bars rather than 20. That makes them handy for breakfast on a rushed morning, an afternoon snack, or a backup option when you don't have time to prepare a meal. Buying a larger pack can also help reduce the temptation to grab a more expensive convenience snack when you're hungry and away from home.

Need a hearty snack? Then check out the Kirkland Signature Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets.

The tasty nuggets include a good helping of peanut butter nestled inside a crunchy pretzel shell, making them the perfect salty-and-sweet snack.

The 55-ounce jar gives you plenty to keep on hand, whether you need an easy desk snack or something to grab between errands. The combination of pretzel and peanut butter makes the nuggets more substantial than reaching for a handful of candy, while the resealable container helps keep them convenient for repeated snacking. Costco lists the large jar at $11 through its same-day service, although warehouse and delivery prices can vary. At that size, you can portion the snacks at home instead of repeatedly spending money on individually packaged convenience foods.

Costco has canned chicken breasts that are good for any number of quick meals that you won't have to cook—or at least not much.

You can eat the chicken on its own or add it to a can of chicken noodle soup to give it an extra poultry kick. Or throw in some mayo and diced celery for a quick chicken salad.

The six-pack contains six 12.5-ounce cans of chicken breast packed in water, giving you an easy protein source to keep in the pantry. Because the chicken is already cooked, you can use it straight from the can in sandwiches, wraps, salads, or other quick meals. Costco's bulk packaging also makes sense for people who don't want to make frequent grocery trips just to pick up ingredients for a simple lunch. And because the chicken is shelf-stable, you can keep cans available for those days when cooking feels like more work than it's worth.

Want to know what all the hype is about when it comes to air fryers? The T-fal Dual Window Infrared Air Fryer makes it super easy for you to make food with almost no cooking effort involved.

The 7.3-quart air fryer has eight cooking programs, touch-screen controls, and infrared heating designed to cook food without the usual preheating step. That can make it a useful middle ground for someone who doesn't enjoy cooking but still wants hot food at home. You can also see the food through the dual windows without repeatedly opening the appliance. If an air fryer helps you replace even a few takeout meals each month, the appliance could pay for itself over time through lower food spending. Costco lists the model as item 1994092, although availability can vary by warehouse.

Costco is well known for its rotisserie chickens, so remember to grab one on your next Costco run.

When you arrive at your favorite warehouse, the chicken is hot and ready, so just grab it and head home for a delicious meal that requires no prep work.

That's a major win if you're trying to avoid both cooking and the cost of restaurant food. You can eat the chicken as-is for dinner, then use the leftovers for sandwiches, salads, tacos, or soup instead of buying separate proteins for several meals. Costco's rotisserie chicken has long been one of the warehouse's better-known food bargains, although availability can vary by location. The key savings advantage is getting multiple servings from one ready-to-eat purchase rather than paying for several prepared meals.

Costco's Kirkland Signature has a great trail mix that you'll want to grab for snacking.

The four-pound bag of trail mix includes nuts, raisins, and chocolate candies to ensure that every bite is delicious, and no cooking is required.

The four-pound resealable bag includes peanuts, almonds, cashews, raisins, and peanut and milk chocolate M&M's, so you get a mix of salty, sweet, crunchy, and chewy without having to assemble your own snack. Costco lists the bag as 64 ounces, which gives you plenty to portion into smaller containers for work, school, road trips, or quick snacks at home. Buying one large bag can also be cheaper and more convenient than purchasing individual snack packs every time you need something to eat.

Let someone else cook for you with Costco's wide selection of gift cards you can give to friends and family — or use them for yourself to save money.

The gift cards at Costco cover sit-down restaurants, take-out places, and even donut shops. And you can purchase them at Costco for less than the face value of the card to save you extra cash.

That discount can turn an ordinary takeout order into a small but meaningful savings opportunity. Costco offers restaurant gift cards for chains such as Domino's, Papa Johns, Fogo de Chão, IHOP, and Landry's, with many options sold below face value. For example, Costco lists four $25 Domino's gift cards for $79.99, giving you $100 in restaurant spending for less. Just make sure you'll actually use the card before buying it. A discount isn't a bargain if the gift card sits unused in a drawer.

Goldfish crackers are a staple for some kids because they're easy and delicious.

You can pick up a pack of three stay-fresh bags or a 45-count box of snack packs. Grab one if you're on the go or toss a few in a bag when you go out with the kids.

The 45-count snack-pack option makes portioning easy and eliminates the need to measure snacks into individual bags at home. Costco also sells a 66-ounce cheddar package for shoppers who would rather buy a larger quantity and portion it themselves. That can be a useful way to control costs if your household goes through Goldfish quickly. Having ready-to-eat snacks on hand can also help you avoid buying more expensive food at convenience stores, restaurants, or attractions when you're out with the kids.

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Welch's Fruit Snacks have a tasty fruity kick and are the perfect quick snack during a busy day.

Costco offers a box of 90 snack packs for you to grab and go. And unlike crackers or chips, you won't have to worry about them crumbling into crumbs when you toss them in your bag.

The 90-count box contains individual 0.8-ounce pouches, so you can grab one when you need a quick snack without opening a larger package. Costco lists the fruit snacks as gluten-free, fat-free, preservative-free, and made with real fruit. The individual packaging also makes them useful for lunch boxes, road trips, and keeping in a desk drawer. Buying a large box at the warehouse can help you avoid paying convenience-store prices for single snacks when you're already out running errands.

Costco has a wide selection of candy that you can choose from to satisfy your sweet tooth. Check out packs of full-size candy bars and other tasty treats, or the fun-sized versions of your favorite candy if you're just looking for a quick bite.

Buying candy in a larger package can make sense if you regularly keep treats around the house or need something for a party. The key is to compare the per-piece or per-ounce price rather than assuming the biggest package is automatically the best deal. Costco's bulk selection can be especially useful for holidays, birthdays, movie nights, and other occasions when you need enough candy for a crowd. Just avoid buying more than you'll realistically eat, since a bulk bargain isn't much of a savings if half the package goes to waste.

Costco has some great dinner kits, including this chicken street tacos options. A little bit of assembly is required, but it should be a snap with the Kirkland Signature Chicken Street Tacos.

The kit includes tortillas that you can fill with seasoned chicken, shredded cabbage, cheese, and sauces to give them an extra kick.

The 12-count kit includes grilled seasoned chicken, shredded vegetables, shredded cheese, tomato salsa, cilantro lime crema, and corn and flour tortillas. Costco's same-day service lists the package at about 2.9 pounds, although the final price depends on the actual weight selected. That makes the kit a convenient option when you want a dinner that feels more substantial than a frozen meal without having to buy and prepare all the individual ingredients. You still get some assembly, but most of the work is already done.

Need a fancy dinner, but you aren't a fancy cook? Costco can help you with its Kirkland Signature Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter.

The salmon pieces are seasoned with Costco's signature basil pesto butter. Follow the directions on the label, and you're all set. You can even cook the salmon in the aluminum foil container it comes in for easy cleanup.

That makes this prepared meal a good option when you want something that feels more special without paying restaurant prices or spending an evening cooking from scratch. Costco's same-day listing shows packages weighing about 2.18 pounds, although the final price varies with the package weight. The salmon is already portioned and seasoned, so your main job is following the cooking directions. The aluminum container also means you can spend less time cleaning up afterward, which adds to the convenience for anyone who would rather skip an elaborate dinner routine.

Costco is well known for its bakery selection, and Kirkland Signature Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies are an easy option when you want a ready-to-serve treat without spending time baking. The 60-count package gives you plenty to share, making these cookies convenient for parties, family gatherings, office events, or keeping on hand for an everyday dessert.

The mini size also makes it easier to grab one or two when you want something sweet without committing to a full-size cookie. Having a larger package on hand can also save you from making a last-minute trip to the store when guests arrive, or you need something to bring to a gathering. If you're already shopping at Costco, picking up a multipack of cookies can be a practical way to keep an affordable dessert option in the pantry.

Need a quick coffee fix in the morning? Costco has plenty of K-cup options if you're just making a quick cup for yourself, as well as plenty of ground coffee choices.

K-cups can be especially useful if you don't want to measure beans, grind coffee, or clean a coffee maker after brewing. Costco carries several Kirkland Signature K-cup varieties, including Pacific Bold, Breakfast Blend, Summit Roast, French Roast, and House Decaf. Many come in 120-count packages, giving you plenty of cups from one purchase. Costco also sells whole-bean and ground coffee, so you can choose the format that best fits your routine. Just don't count on using a free coffee grinder at the warehouse, as Costco has been removing its in-store grinders.

If you're limiting your Costco selections to items that don't require much cooking, it's a good idea to take a list with you so you can remember to pick up exactly what you need.

You'll also want to ensure you have the best cash back credit cards in your wallet if you want to maximize the extra perks of your shopping experience.

The bigger savings opportunity is to use Costco for the convenience foods you'll actually eat, rather than filling your cart simply because something comes in a large package. Prepared meals, snacks, coffee, and other ready-to-eat options can help you cut back on restaurant spending when cooking isn't realistic. Before you buy, compare the cost with what you'd pay for takeout, check the package size, and make sure you'll use everything before it expires. That's how a Costco run can save you money instead of simply giving you more stuff to store.