This Is The Absolute Cheapest Costco Prepared Meal Per Serving, And The Most Expensive

Shopping at Costco is all about buying in bulk. Your bill adds up pretty quickly, but the value becomes clear when you look at the cost per item. Costco's prepared meals sold under the Kirkland Signature brand — either ready to eat or quick to heat and enjoy — can be a weeknight savior or perfect for feeding a crowd, and they're all relatively affordable, to boot. 

The cheapest prepared food item, per serving, is one we crowned the perfect cookout side dish: Kirkland Signature Mac and Cheese. This massive platter of carbs and cheese is priced at about $4.53 per pound at Denver-area stores ($0.28 per ounce). Costco Same-Day estimates that a tray will weigh about 3.76 pounds, costing you $17.03 per tray. The nutrition facts state that a serving should be 4.5 ounces of macaroni and cheese, with approximately 12 servings per container. The price per serving, then, would be around $1.26 — though we imagine the person who decided half a cup was enough of this five-cheese masterpiece may have never tasted it before.

On the other end of the spectrum, the priciest prepared meal at Costco is more than triple the price per serving. The Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken Asian Wrap with Dressing costs $7.93 per pound, and in Denver the estimated package weight is 2.38 pounds. That comes out to approximately $18.87 for four wraps, or $4.72 each. The wraps combine rotisserie chicken, broccoli slaw, and chow mein noodles in a spinach wrap, and each tray contains four servings. With a much higher price and fewer servings per tray, the wraps may be a more balanced option — but they're not as easy on your wallet.

Once you've gotten your hands on a tray of Costco mac and cheese, it's important to make the most of your nominal investment. The instructions on the package are simple: Heat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, then put the tray (covered with foil) in the oven to heat until the internal temperature reaches 185 degrees Fahrenheit (about 45 to 60 minutes). You can remove the foil and have it as-is, or you can take it to the next level. Once the macaroni and cheese is warmed through, sprinkle the top with bread crumbs — or better yet, crushed Ritz crackers – for some extra crunch.

Sure, you could have Costco mac and cheese as your entire meal (hey, we're not here to judge). But if you're looking to stretch all that cheese to feed a crowd, there are some other Costco items that would be a great pairing. Costco's rotisserie chicken — another one of the best Costco prepared foods – is begging for mac and cheese on the side. Add one of the prepared salads, and you've got a complete meal with almost no work on your part.

While the Rotisserie Chicken Asian Wraps are definitely more expensive per serving than some other prepared meals at Costco, they're a convenient ready-to-eat option that doesn't require kitchen equipment (or even a fork). The price is also not crazy — for example, a Kickin' Ranch Chicken Wrap at Jimmy John's in Denver is $11.89. Could you make it yourself for less? Yes, but with premade meals you're paying for convenience just as much as the food itself.

With veggies, protein, and carbs in an easy, hand-held package, the rotisserie chicken Asian wrap is a great on-the-go option that can stand on its own. While some premade wraps can wind up with soggy filling and gummy tortillas, Costco solves the problem by packaging the dressing on the side.

The Asian Wrap with Rotisserie Chicken would pair well with Costco's Kirkland Signature Grain & Celery salad, but if you're looking for a lunch that's entirely utensil-free, head to the warehouse's extensive chip and snack offerings. It's one of the best places to buy bulk chips, and a big bag of chips plus four wraps is an equation for an easy and satisfying picnic.