13 Best Costco Prepared Foods For A Single Person One Can Buy
Living solo doesn’t mean you have to settle for bland or boring meals—and thanks to Costco’s prepared food section, eating well as a party of one has never been easier.
While bulk shopping might seem intimidating for singles, I’ve spent plenty of time navigating those oversized aisles to uncover the hidden gems perfect for solo diners. The key is finding items that are either perfectly portioned, easy to freeze, or versatile enough to stretch across multiple meals without going to waste.
From high-quality proteins to ready-made meals that reheat like a dream, these are my go-to Costco picks that turn solo dining into a delicious, hassle-free experience.
1. Street Taco Kit: Fiesta For One
Taco Tuesday happens whenever I please thanks to this genius kit! The individually wrapped components mean I can make just what I need without anything going to waste.
My favorite part? Everything stays fresh separately – the tortillas, seasoned meat, lime crema, cilantro lime slaw, and those addictive little lime wedges.
I once stretched this kit across five different meals by adding my own beans and rice on the side. When friends drop by unexpectedly, I look like a culinary wizard pulling this from the fridge. The kit freezes surprisingly well too – just thaw the meat portion overnight when the taco craving strikes!
2. Kirkland Signature Pesto: Green Gold in a Jar
Confession time: I once ate this straight from the jar with a spoon. No regrets! This vibrant basil pesto transforms even the most basic pasta into a restaurant-worthy meal in minutes.
The twin-pack initially scared my single self, but fear not! I transfer half to an ice cube tray, freeze it, then pop the cubes into a freezer bag. Each cube perfectly flavors one portion of pasta, chicken, or roasted veggies.
My apartment-warming party featured toasted baguette slices topped with this pesto, a cherry tomato half, and a tiny mozzarella ball. Guests thought I’d spent hours cooking, but it took just minutes to assemble these flavor bombs!
3. Sous Vide Egg Bites: Breakfast Revolution
Mornings transformed when these little protein-packed clouds entered my life! Each package contains individually wrapped pairs of egg bites – perfect for us solo diners who can’t possibly eat eight eggs before they spoil.
They microwave in just 60 seconds, making them my go-to breakfast when I’m racing out the door. The bacon and Gruyère variety makes me feel fancy even when I’m eating them straight from the container while hunting for my keys.
Sometimes I’ll jazz them up with a few drops of hot sauce or a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning. For a complete meal, I’ll pair them with some avocado toast and feel smugly healthy all morning!
4. Salmon Milano: Ocean Elegance Made Simple
Who says fancy seafood dinners are just for date nights? Costco’s Salmon Milano comes in a tray with individually seasoned portions that can be cooked one at a time. Pure genius! Each piece comes slathered in a heavenly basil pesto butter that creates the most mouthwatering aroma as it bakes.
I’ve impressed myself with how professional these look on the plate – like I ordered delivery from that expensive seafood place downtown.
The uncooked portions freeze beautifully. I simply transfer what I’m not using immediately into a freezer bag, then thaw a piece overnight whenever I want to treat myself. Paired with a simple salad, it’s my favorite way to end a long workweek.
5. Caesar Salad Kit: Crisp Simplicity
Crunch, crunch, crunch! That satisfying sound is music to my ears when I’m diving into this salad kit. While designed for families, I’ve mastered the art of extending its freshness for my solo needs. The trick? Only dress what you’re eating immediately.
I portion the romaine into glass containers, keep the dressing sealed, and store the croutons and cheese separately. This strategy transforms one kit into nearly a week of side salads or three meal-sized portions with added protein.
Last month, I added some leftover rotisserie chicken and took it to a park picnic for one. A passing stranger actually commented on how appetizing it looked – if only they knew how little effort it required!
6. Ravioli Lasagna: Freezer-Friendly Comfort
Mamma mia! This cheesy masterpiece has saved me from countless sad microwave dinners. The first time I bought it, I worried about tackling such a massive tray alone – then I discovered its magical freezer potential. After baking, I slice it into single portions, wrap each in foil, then place them in freezer bags.
On nights when cooking feels impossible, I reheat one square in the oven while I change into comfy clothes.
By the time Netflix asks if I’m still watching, I’m happily twirling my fork through layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce. Sometimes I fancy it up with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or fresh basil from my windowsill plant. Instant comfort without the family-sized commitment!
7. Chicken Street Soup: Liquid Warmth in a Tub
Rainy days call for this liquid hug in a bowl! Loaded with veggies, chicken, and noodles, this soup is substantially heartier than anything from a can. My first encounter with it was during a nasty cold last winter – it practically nursed me back to health!
The container is huge, but fear not, solo dwellers. I pour portions into silicone muffin cups, freeze them solid, then pop the soup “pucks” into freezer bags.
When the craving hits, I thaw exactly what I need. For an upgraded experience, I add a squeeze of lemon and a handful of fresh spinach that wilts perfectly into the hot soup. Sometimes I’ll dunk in some crusty bread from the Costco bakery for a simple yet satisfying meal that feels homemade.
8. Stuffed Bell Peppers: Colorful Meal-in-One
Rainbow dinner alert! These pre-made stuffed peppers had me at hello with their bright colors and hearty filling of rice, beef, and cheese. Each pepper stands alone as a complete meal – nature’s perfect single-serving container.
I cook just one or two at a time, keeping the rest refrigerated for up to three days. For longer storage, I freeze them individually on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. They reheat beautifully from frozen – just add a splash of water to the baking dish and cover with foil.
My favorite hack? Chop up any leftover pepper and filling to use as an omelet filling the next morning. Two completely different meals from one convenient package!
9. Rotisserie Chicken: The Ultimate Meal Starter
Golden, juicy, and impossibly cheap at $4.99 – Costco’s rotisserie chicken has saved my dinner plans more times than I can count! Last Tuesday, after a brutal workday, I grabbed one on my way home and felt like a meal-prep genius.
The beauty lies in its versatility. I typically shred half for immediate meals like tacos or salads, then portion and freeze the rest in zip-top bags.
Each bag becomes the foundation for future soups, casseroles, or quick protein additions. Pro tip: Don’t toss that carcass! Simmer it with some onions and carrots for a homemade stock that’ll make your apartment smell amazing and elevate your cooking for days.
10. Spinach and Cheese Ravioli: Pasta Perfection
Carb lovers, rejoice! These plump little pasta pillows cook in just three minutes and taste like they came from an Italian grandmother’s kitchen. The first time I made them, I dramatically overestimated how many I needed – lesson learned!
Now I cook only what I’ll eat immediately (about 8-10 ravioli makes a perfect single portion). The rest stay fresh in the refrigerator for several days, or I freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a container.
They cook straight from frozen in just a few extra minutes. My signature “fancy but lazy” dinner: these ravioli tossed with a spoonful of Kirkland pesto, topped with a few halved cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Minimal effort, maximum satisfaction!
11. Kirkland Signature Shrimp Cocktail: Instant Elegance
Sometimes I want to feel fancy without the fuss. Enter this ready-to-eat shrimp cocktail that makes me feel like I’m at a swanky restaurant even when I’m watching reality TV in my pajamas! The divided container keeps the cooked shrimp separate from the tangy cocktail sauce until you’re ready to indulge.
Since it’s perfectly fine to consume over 2-3 days once opened, I don’t feel pressured to finish it all at once. My apartment-for-one hack: I transfer half to a separate container with fresh sauce, extending its life.
These protein-packed bites make a great snack between Zoom meetings or a light dinner with a side salad when cooking feels too ambitious. Instant sophistication with zero cooking!
12. Prepared Quinoa Salad: Healthy Grab-and-Go
My refrigerator’s MVP! This colorful medley of quinoa, veggies, and a light vinaigrette dressing has rescued countless lunches from the sad sandwich zone. The first time I bought it, I worried about finishing such a large container before it spoiled.
My solution? I portion it into five glass containers right when I get home. Each becomes a ready-made lunch base that stays fresh for nearly a week. Sometimes I add a hard-boiled egg or leftover chicken for extra protein.
During summer, I’ll stuff this quinoa salad into a hollowed-out tomato or avocado half for an Instagram-worthy meal that takes seconds to prepare. The perfect example of how Costco’s family-sized offerings can work brilliantly for us solo eaters with a little planning!
13. Chicken Alfredo: Creamy Comfort Classic
Velvety sauce coating tender pasta and juicy chicken pieces – this ready-made Alfredo is my secret weapon against food delivery apps! The package looks intimidatingly large for one person, but don’t let that scare you away.
My single-person strategy: I immediately divide it into four portions using microwave-safe containers. Two go in the fridge for the coming days, and two head to the freezer for future comfort food emergencies. Each portion reheats beautifully with just a splash of milk to revive the creamy sauce.
For a quick upgrade, I add a handful of frozen peas or some sautéed mushrooms. Sometimes I’ll sprinkle extra Parmesan and broil it for a minute to get that irresistible golden crust on top. Restaurant quality with minimal effort!