The $10.82 Costco Find That’s Better Than My Italian Nonna’s

Every Italian nonna knows that love is shown through food—usually in the form of several heaping helpings of pasta. But lately, I’ve been cheating on homemade with Costco’s Kirkland Signature Chicken Alfredo with Penne Pasta. For just $10.82—or about $1.79 a serving (call it $2 if you’re feeling Italian with the portions)—it’s a bargain even my immigrant family would sign off on.

Sure, I could call Nonna and ask for some alfredo, but that comes with the endless requests about when I’m getting married and having kids. After a long day, this heat-and-eat version hits all the right notes, especially when I crisp the top under the broiler. Just… don’t tell Nonna.

Why I Love Costco’s Kirkland Signature Chicken Alfredo with Penne Pasta

Whether it’s a tough day at work or life just feels a little too much, we all have those comfort dishes that make everything a bit better. For me, a bowl of buttery pasta is pure bliss. And while I’m not usually picky, I know I’ll be back in the fridge an hour later if it’s just plain carbs. That’s why I reach for the Kirkland Signature Chicken Alfredo. The creamy, garlicky sauce perfectly coats the al dente pasta, and the hearty chicken pieces make it feel like a meal.

This dish hits all the right notes when I’m too tired to cook from scratch. There’s no prep or complicated cooking involved—just dump everything into a pan or casserole dish, heat it up, and enjoy. And because you’re not fussing with multiple pots and pans, clean-up is practically nonexistent—a huge win when you just can’t be bothered.

Just keep in mind that the final price can vary depending on your tray size since, like most of Costco’s prepared meals, this alfredo is sold by the pound. Typically, a two-pound tray costs around $10.82, breaking down to about $1.79 per serving.

How I Jazz Up the Kirkland Signature Chicken Alfredo with Penne Pasta

When you open the container, you’ll find a hefty package filled with a creamy (and pungently garlicky) white sauce, penne pasta, and large pieces of white chicken. The package instructions recommend pouring the sauce into a pan, bringing it to a simmer, and then adding the pasta and chicken strips, but I like to take a different approach.

Instead, I pour everything into an oven-safe casserole dish—more in line with how you’d make a traditional baked pasta—and bake it for 8 to 10 minutes at 350°F. If I have any frozen or raw veggies like peas, broccoli, or spinach, I’ll toss them in before baking. Since it’s a quick-cooking meal, the veggies will soften without getting soggy, adding a boost of fiber and nutrition.

To make it feel more homemade, I grate a generous sprinkling of Parmesan or white cheddar on top of the dish and then finish it under the broiler for a minute or two to get the top golden and bubbly. And in an obviously untraditional move, I like to add a little heat, with either a drizzle of sriracha or some chili crunch.

_{To learn more about our approach to product recommendations, see HERE.}