Whip Up Dinner in a Flash: Experts Reveal Costco’s 8 Best Quick Meals for Busy Lives

Food & Drink
Whip Up Dinner in a Flash: Experts Reveal Costco’s 8 Best Quick Meals for Busy Lives
a bowl of noodles and vegetables on a table
Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash

The evening dinner quandary is one for all, isn’t it? With a day of work, family obligations, or just tending to life’s round-the-clock responsibilities behind us, cooking from scratch seems like more than we can handle. Though we all fantasize about homemade meals every evening, most nights reality calls for something quicker and much more convenient. That’s where savvy shopping for groceries comes in and Costco is an absolute rockstar.

Instead of resorting to greasy fast food or expensive takeout, Costco offers up healthy, convenient, high-quality, ready-to-heat meals that are affordable, tasty, and on the table in 15 minutes or less. These meals are not just “quick fixes”    they’re meals designed to save time in the kitchen without giving up any flavor, nutrition, or convenience.

Our specialists chose the following eight meals for their taste, ease, and ability to rescue your weeknights. From rotisserie chicken with its juicy goodness to frittatas packed with veggies, these finds will make dinner easy, pleasant, and stress-free.

roasted chicken on black metal grill
Photo by Amanda Lim on Unsplash

1. Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken

Few products at Costco have had a bigger effect than the Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken. With more than 100 million sold annually, this $4.99 icon is a feast it’s an phenomenon. Hot and ready to go in the deli section, this well-seasoned, moist chicken enhances cooking time entirely without sacrificing taste.

The best part about it? Its versatility. Eat it on the bone like a quick dinner, shred it into a salad for a protein boost, or wrap it up in tortillas for an on-the-go meal. Its crispy skin and juicy meat have fans coming back time and time again.

Dietitian Lisa DeFazio croons its praises as an absolute necessity: “The Costco rotisserie chicken is always a must    you can make a few meals out of this.” She recommends serving it with one of Costco’s pre-packaged salad kits or top it off as a speedy wrap using spinach tortillas. This bird is a time-saver for harried families who can turn it into several meals without breaking the bank.

a bowl of noodles with vegetables and chopsticks
Photo by Kawê Rodrigues on Unsplash

2. Ajinomoto Yakisoba with Vegetables

Noodles are loved all around the world for their quick, convenient, and comforting qualities and Costco’s Ajinomoto Yakisoba with Vegetables checks all of those boxes. This instant-to-microwave Japanese-style noodle dish is tasty, fast, and seriously satisfying.

Dietitian Lisa DeFazio highlights its convenience: “The noodles are flavorful    just pop a packet in the microwave for three or four minutes and you’ve got a quick lunch or dinner.” She also suggests topping it with shredded chicken or sautéed shrimp for extra protein, or enjoying it as a vegetarian meal.

Six individually sized packages per box, and with its bright vegetables and 11 grams of protein per serving, it’s a quick but nutritious choice for anyone looking for Asian-spiced comfort food.

burger with patty and cheese
Photo by Steven Cordes on Unsplash

3. Redd’s Egg’wich Turkey Sausage

Breakfast often gets left behind on busy mornings, but Redd’s Egg’wich Turkey Sausage makes a good, satisfying start in two minutes. Available at Costco, the microwaveable sandwich uses soft egg patties instead of bread, so they are both gluten-free and keto-friendly.

Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, defines them as follows: “With cage-free egg patties, real cheese, and antibiotic-free sausage, this sandwich is ready to be enjoyed after just microwaving it.” With protein-rich ingredients and no bread, they are ideal for anyone on low-carb or gluten-free diets.

Fast, healthy, and a part of today’s food trends, these Egg’wiches demonstrate quick breakfasts can be healthy and delicious.

a chicken sandwich with lettuce and mayonnaise on a black background
Photo by David Foodphototasty on Unsplash

4. Amylu Organic Chicken Burgers

If you’re trying to cut down on red meat without giving up burgers, Amylu Organic Chicken Burgers are a brilliant swap. Fully cooked and bursting with flavor, they make dinner a breeze while supporting a lighter, heart-healthy diet.

Registered dietitian Amy Davis recommends them as a quick source of protein: “Since the burgers are pre-cooked, simply place them on a whole grain bun with a veggie or stir up a burger salad for the ultimate fast meal.”

They warm up in under a minute in the microwave, or become golden and crispy in the air fryer in six minutes. Served in a bun or on greens, they’re proof that burgers don’t need to be quick or bad for you.

cooked food on black cooking pan
Photo by David B Townsend on Unsplash

When busy mornings are inevitable, whipping up a frittata from scratch isn’t feasible. Fortunately, Costco’s Veggies Made Great Spinach Egg White Frittatas give you gourmet-tasting breakfast in minutes.

Brittany Werner, RD, likes how convenient they are: “They’re simple to whip up in the microwave or toaster oven quickly, which makes them great for hectic mornings.” At only 70 calories and five grams of protein per serving, they provide you with energy but without the heft.

With protein, carbs, and good fat, these frittatas are just as healthy as they are speedy a good grab-and-go breakfast or even lunch.

cooked dish
Photo by Mark DeYoung on Unsplash

6. West End Cuisine Mediterranean-Style Chicken Skewers

Pre-cooked proteins are the busy cook’s friend, and West End Cuisine Grilled Chicken Skewers are one of their favorites. Packed with Mediterranean flavor, these skewers contain vegetarian-fed chicken raised without antibiotics or supplemental hormones.

Werner states that having a surplus of prepared, ready-to-eat proteins like these “automatically cuts prep time and keeps you well supplied with quality protein.” Each serving is 24 grams of lean protein with a mere three grams of carbs.

They’re also versatile, though    pair them with rice, salad, or even chop them up and add them to soups to have a meal in a flash. Convenient, healthy, and delicious, these skewers are a true Costco win.

A close-up of a vegetable pizza with cauliflower and greens on a raw crust.
Photo by damla selen demir on Pexels

7. Milton’s Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Weeknight staple frozen pizza isn’t always the healthiest choice. But then there’s Milton’s Cauliflower Crust Pizza, a healthier-for-you option that uses veggies in place of refined carbs without skimping on taste.

Lauren Manaker gives it two thumbs up: “Because the first ingredient listed is cauliflower, Milton’s actually does have real veggies in every bite. They use a super-thin and crispy crust that is just as good as the pizza at my favorite restaurant.”

Certified gluten-free and only 15 minutes to prepare, this pizza is an easy, homey dinner everyone will love even the finicky eaters. It’s a wonderful method to have pizza night with a little more veggie time.

cooked food
Photo by ouou ottosei on Unsplash

8. Aidells Chicken Meatballs, Teriyaki & Pineapple

Making meatballs the old-fashioned way takes time, but Aidells Chicken Meatballs bring gourmet flavor to your table in under 10 minutes. The sweet teriyaki glaze with pineapple is a delicious variation of the traditional comfort food.

Catherine Rall, RD, wholeheartedly endorse them: “These meatballs are an excellent source of protein with no preservatives, artificial ingredients, or MSG.” Each serving contains 14 grams of protein, so they’re a delicious and nutritious addition to quick meals.

Serve them over rice or with stir-fry vegetables for a quick, filling dinner that tastes rich and wholesome.

two plates of food on a table with a cup of coffee
Photo by amin ramezani on Unsplash

Final Bite

These eight Costco treasures demonstrate dinner (or breakfast!) doesn’t need to be stressful, time-consuming, or unhealthy. From rotisserie chicken that fills meals across a day to cauliflower pizza that makes weeknights into playtime, these concepts save time without losing taste.

So the next time you’re standing in your fridge staring after a long day, think again: Costco’s got you sorted. With some of these basics in the cupboard, you can reclaim your evenings and enjoy delicious, satisfying meals in just a matter of minutes.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to top