These 12 Costco Staples Taste Like You Spent Hours Cooking—But Better

June 24, 2025

Why spend hours in the kitchen when Costco has already done the hard work for you? These 12 Costco staples taste so good, they could easily pass as homemade—only better. From rich soups and savory pastas to baked goods that rival grandma’s, here are the Costco finds that save time and impress.

1. Broccoli Cheddar Soup $10.99/2 x 2 lbs

This creamy soup from Costco’s deli section is loaded with tender broccoli and rich cheddar cheese. It tastes like it simmered on the stove all day.

Nutritional Facts

  • Calories: 280
  • Fat: 18g
  • Carbs: 20g
  • Sodium: 890mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Protein: 10g

Ingredients

Broccoli, cheddar cheese, cream, onions, carrots, chicken broth, butter, flour, garlic, spices.

Preparation Instructions

Heat on stovetop over medium heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently.

2. Chicken Bake $2.99/each

Image Editorial Credit: Eric Broder Van Dyke / Shutterstock

This fan-favorite features tender chicken, smoky bacon, and a creamy Caesar-style dressing wrapped in golden dough.

Nutritional Facts

  • Calories: 770
  • Fat: 30g
  • Carbs: 81g
  • Sodium: 1740mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 3g
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Protein: 42g

Ingredients

Chicken breast, bacon, mozzarella, Caesar dressing, flour, yeast, salt, sugar.

Preparation Instructions

Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes until golden and heated through.

3. Garlic Parmesan Bread $9.35

Buttery, garlicky, and loaded with real parmesan cheese—this bread tastes bakery fresh.

Nutritional Facts

  • Calories: 200
  • Fat: 8g
  • Carbs: 28g
  • Sodium: 380mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Protein: 6g

Ingredients

Flour, water, butter, garlic, parmesan cheese, yeast, salt.

Preparation Instructions

Warm in oven at 350°F for 8–10 minutes before serving.

4. Marinara Sauce $15.20/3 x 2 lbs

Made with vine-ripened tomatoes and a blend of herbs, this sauce is slow-cooked to perfection.

Nutritional Facts

  • Calories: 70
  • Fat: 2.5g
  • Carbs: 10g
  • Sodium: 480mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Protein: 2g

Ingredients

Tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, onion, salt.

Preparation Instructions

Simmer in a saucepan over low heat for 5–10 minutes.

5. Pesto $12.16/22 oz

Image Editorial Credit: Costco

This vibrant Genovese-style pesto blends fresh basil, Parmesan, and pine nuts in a rich olive oil base.

Nutritional Facts

  • Calories: 300 (per 1/4 cup)
  • Fat: 30g
  • Carbs: 4g
  • Sodium: 360mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Protein: 4g

Ingredients

Basil, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, salt.

Preparation Instructions

Toss with warm pasta or use as a sandwich spread.

6. Salsa $11.10/2 x 38 oz

Fresh, tangy, and just the right amount of heat, this salsa tastes like it came from an authentic taqueria.

Nutritional Facts

  • Calories: 10
  • Fat: 0g
  • Carbs: 2g
  • Sodium: 125mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 0g
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients

Tomatoes, jalapeños, onions, cilantro, vinegar, garlic, lime juice, salt.

Preparation Instructions

Serve cold with chips or warm over tacos.

7. Pizza $9.95/18-inch

Costco’s massive food court pizza is cheesy, greasy, and totally irresistible.

Nutritional Facts

  • Calories: 710 (per slice)
  • Fat: 28g
  • Carbs: 80g
  • Sodium: 1370mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 3g
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Protein: 32g

Ingredients

Flour, tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni or veggie toppings, yeast, sugar, salt.

Preparation Instructions

Reheat in oven at 375°F for 8–10 minutes.

8. Lasagna $21.05/2 x 3 lbs

Layered with beef, cheese, and pasta, this lasagna is pure comfort food done right.

Nutritional Facts

  • Calories: 380
  • Fat: 21g
  • Carbs: 28g
  • Sodium: 850mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Protein: 21g

Ingredients

Ground beef, ricotta, mozzarella, pasta, tomato sauce, herbs.

Preparation Instructions

Bake at 375°F for 60–70 minutes until bubbly and golden.

9. Pumpkin Pie $5.99/whole pie

Image Editorial Credit: Instacart

With a perfectly spiced filling and flaky crust, this holiday favorite is a crowd-pleaser.

Nutritional Facts

  • Calories: 320
  • Fat: 14g
  • Carbs: 44g
  • Sodium: 370mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 30g
  • Protein: 5g

Ingredients

Pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar, cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, pie crust.

Preparation Instructions

Serve chilled or warm with whipped cream.

10. Sheet Cake $24.99/2 lb cake

Whether it’s chocolate or white, Costco’s iconic sheet cake is rich, moist, and feeds a crowd.

Nutritional Facts

  • Calories: 350
  • Fat: 15g
  • Carbs: 52g
  • Sodium: 310mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 40g
  • Protein: 3g

Ingredients

Flour, eggs, sugar, butter, cocoa (for chocolate), vanilla, baking soda.

Preparation Instructions

Slice and serve as is or refrigerate before serving.

11. Cinnamon Rolls $15.20/6 ct

Image Editorial Credit: Instacart

Soft, gooey, and slathered in icing, these cinnamon rolls feel like a weekend bakery treat.

Nutritional Facts

  • Calories: 390
  • Fat: 17g
  • Carbs: 54g
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 28g
  • Protein: 5g

Ingredients

Flour, sugar, cinnamon, butter, yeast, eggs, icing sugar.

Preparation Instructions

Warm in oven at 325°F for 5–7 minutes or microwave for 20 seconds.

12. Muffins $8.69/8 ct

These jumbo muffins are rich, moist, and packed with flavor—perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Nutritional Facts

  • Calories: 600
  • Fat: 32g
  • Carbs: 68g
  • Sodium: 440mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 42g
  • Protein: 8g

Ingredients

Flour, eggs, sugar, butter, fruit or chocolate chips (varies by flavor), baking powder.

Preparation Instructions

Enjoy at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave.

Final Say

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just too tired to cook, these 12 Costco staples deliver homemade flavor without the hassle. From cheesy lasagna to buttery garlic bread and bakery-fresh desserts, each item brings restaurant-quality taste right to your table—no apron required. Stock up on these time-saving, crowd-pleasing favorites and let Costco do the heavy lifting for your next delicious meal.

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