Living solo doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice delicious meals or spend hours cooking. Costco’s prepared food section is a treasure trove for singles who want convenience without compromising on taste.
These ready-to-eat or heat-and-serve options save time, reduce food waste, and offer variety that keeps mealtime exciting – even when you’re dining for one.
1. Rotisserie Chicken
Holy protein jackpot! Costco’s famous $4.99 rotisserie chicken is basically a meal-planning cheat code for singles. One bird transforms into 3-4 different meals throughout the week.
Shred some for tacos on Tuesday, slice portions for sandwiches, and simmer the carcass into soup stock by weekend. The seasoning hits that perfect savory note without being overly salty.
2. Chicken Street Tacos Kit
Craving Mexican food without the restaurant markup? This kit is like having your own personal taco truck parked in your fridge! Fresh corn tortillas, seasoned chicken, salsa, lime wedges, and cilantro come ready to assemble.
The beauty lies in its flexibility – eat half now, save half for tomorrow. Each component stays fresh in separate containers until you’re ready to build your masterpiece.
3. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Whoever invented these genius little meal vessels deserves a culinary medal! Bright peppers stuffed with seasoned beef, rice, and cheese create perfect individual portions that reheat beautifully.
The pack typically contains six peppers – ideal for eating two fresh, refrigerating two for midweek, and freezing two for emergency dinner situations. Each pepper delivers a complete balanced meal with protein, veggies, and carbs in one tidy package.
4. Macaroni And Cheese
Forget that blue box from your college days! Costco’s refrigerated mac and cheese is the grown-up version your inner child deserves. Creamy, indulgent, and made with real cheese that creates those irresistible crispy edges when reheated.
The container might look massive for one person, but don’t panic. Portion it into microwave-safe containers and freeze – it reheats beautifully without separating like some dairy-based dishes.
5. Salmon Milano With Basil Pesto Butter
Feeling fancy without the fuss? These individually portioned salmon fillets topped with herb butter discs are practically restaurant-quality with zero chef skills required! Each vacuum-sealed packet contains one perfect serving.
From freezer to oven to plate in under 25 minutes – that’s faster than delivery and infinitely more impressive. The butter melts into a silky sauce that infuses the salmon with basil, garlic, and Parmesan notes.
6. Chicken Noodle Soup & Caesar Salad Combo
Bad day? This soup-and-salad duo is basically a hug in food form. Costco’s deli section offers this perfect pairing that solves the “too tired to cook but need real food” dilemma.
The soup comes in a resealable container that’s easy to portion out for several meals. Rich chicken broth, tender chunks of white meat, and vegetables that somehow maintain their texture even after reheating make this superior to canned alternatives.
7. Chicken Pot Pie
Massive? Yes. Worth the freezer space? Absolutely! Costco’s legendary chicken pot pie might look like it feeds an army, but it’s secretly perfect for singles who think strategically.
Cut this beast into quarters while still frozen. Wrap three portions individually in foil, then freezer bags, and stash for future dinners. The fourth portion goes straight into the oven for tonight’s feast.
8. Shrimp Cocktail
Unexpected date coming over? Meeting your partner’s parents? Shrimp cocktail screams “I have my life together” while requiring zero actual cooking skills. Large, plump shrimp surround a center cup of tangy cocktail sauce – instant class in a plastic container.
Beyond impressive entertaining, this protein-packed snack makes a fantastic light dinner paired with a salad or some crusty bread. The individual serving size is perfect for one person with a healthy appetite.
9. Foster Farms Frozen Chicken Wings
Sports fans living solo, rejoice! These pre-cooked, frozen wings are the answer to “I want bar food but I’m in sweatpants.” Available in multiple flavors, they crisp up beautifully in the air fryer or conventional oven.
The resealable bag means you can cook exactly the number you want without thawing the entire package. Eight wings make a perfect dinner with some raw veggies on the side for that token healthy gesture.
10. Bibigo Steamed Dumplings
Midnight hunger strikes again! These frozen Korean dumplings are the secret weapon of savvy singles. Filled with vegetables, meat, or both depending on the variety, they steam to perfection in minutes.
The microwave-safe trays let you prepare just a few at a time without dirtying extra dishes. Each dumpling delivers a perfect bite of juicy filling wrapped in a tender, slightly chewy skin.
11. Meatballs With Pasta And Sauce
Mamma mia! Costco’s Italian-style meatballs might come in a seemingly endless bag, but they’re a solo diner’s secret weapon. Pop a few in the microwave while boiling a single portion of pasta, and dinner’s ready faster than delivery.
These fully-cooked beauties can go straight from freezer to sauce without thawing. The rest stay frozen until your next pasta craving hits – no waste, no fuss.
12. Rotisserie Chicken & Spinach Salad With Poppyseed Dressing
Racing between meetings? This ready-to-eat salad is the antidote to sad desk lunches! Tender rotisserie chicken strips, fresh spinach, dried cranberries, and crunchy nuts create a protein-packed meal that won’t leave you in a 3 PM food coma.
The separate dressing container means your greens stay crisp until you’re ready to eat. Half now, half tomorrow works perfectly since the components don’t get soggy.