Unveiling Costco’s Mac and Cheese: A Comprehensive Review & Guide

Are you wondering, “Is Costco mac & cheese good?” Dive into our in-depth review of Costco Mac and Cheese, often recognized as Kirkland Signature Macaroni and Cheese. This beloved deli staple is celebrated for its effortless preparation, delightful creaminess, and generous topping of rich cheddar cheese. From baking instructions and nutritional facts to reheating tips and an exploration of other fantastic Costco Mac n Cheese options, this guide covers everything you need to know about one of Costco’s most popular comfort foods.

Yes, Costco indeed offers an incredibly satisfying pre-made mac and cheese, conveniently located in their bustling deli section. Forget any preconceived notions of bland, mass-produced dishes; this is a genuinely superior product that often surprises first-time tasters. While Costco does stock familiar options like Kraft dinner mac and cheese cups for those seeking classic boxed convenience, the refrigerated Kirkland Signature version stands in a league of its own, boasting a quality and flavor profile that rivals homemade. Many find it to be the ultimate quick comfort food solution, perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd.

While the packaging provides basic baking instructions, we’ve developed more specific guidance to ensure you achieve the perfect golden-brown, bubbly mac and cheese every time. Below, you’ll find detailed Costco Mac and Cheese cooking instructions, including how to prepare it from fresh or frozen, along with efficient reheating methods to bring leftovers back to life. Get ready to elevate your mac and cheese experience!

🧀 Kirkland Signature Mac and Cheese: An Honest Review

The star of our review, the Kirkland Signature Mac and Cheese, is a consistent favorite found in the prepared foods or deli section of most Costco warehouses. Typically, you’ll locate it towards the back of the store, a treasure waiting to be discovered. This colossal mac and cheese comes in a substantial plastic tray, weighing approximately 3.5 to 4.5 lbs (1.59-2 kg), making it an ideal choice for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prepping for the week.

One common critique, however, is that the mac and cheese isn’t sold in an oven-safe container. This means you’ll need to transfer the contents to your own baking dish before cooking. While this might seem like a minor inconvenience, for those prioritizing ultimate ease and minimal cleanup, it’s a detail worth noting. However, once it’s in your metal baking pan, a quick cover with aluminum foil is all that stands between you and a delicious, cheesy meal.

Despite the extra dish, the flavor profile of Costco’s deli mac and cheese consistently receives high praise. Many, including myself, have been pleasantly surprised by its quality. It strikes a remarkable balance: wonderfully creamy without being overly rich, perfectly seasoned without excessive saltiness, and featuring an ideal ratio of tender pasta to decadent cheese sauce. The cavatappi pasta holds the sauce beautifully, ensuring every bite is packed with cheesy goodness. It’s truly versatile, serving exceptionally well as a hearty side dish, a comforting main course for a meat-free meal, or a convenient option when culinary energy is low. This mac and cheese offers a comforting, satisfying experience that justifies its popularity.

🍝 Perfecting Your Costco Mac and Cheese: Baking Instructions

Costco’s official recommendation for baking their mac and cheese is typically 40-60 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Through personal experience, I’ve found that 40 minutes is often ample time to achieve a perfectly heated, gooey result with a slightly crispy top. To master this Costco mac and cheese recipe, you’ll need a few essentials: an 8×8-inch (20.3×20.3 cm) metal baking pan, aluminum foil, cooking spray, and, of course, your tray of mac and cheese. A meat thermometer is also a valuable tool to ensure it reaches the optimal internal temperature.

Step-by-Step Baking Guide for Costco Mac and Cheese:

1. Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray a metal baking pan with your choice of cooking oil, then place it on a dark baking sheet for even heat distribution.

2. Portion the Mac and Cheese: Carefully transfer half of the mac and cheese from its plastic tray into your prepared baking pan. If you plan to cook the entire tray at once, you’ll need a larger pan, such as a 9×12-inch dish.

3. Cover with Foil: To prevent the shredded cheddar cheese topping from sticking to the foil during baking, lightly spray the underside of the aluminum foil with cooking spray. Then, securely cover the baking pan before placing it in the oven.

4. Bake to Perfection: Bake the mac and cheese on an oven rack positioned approximately one-third of the way down from the top. The dish is considered ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a reliable meat thermometer to verify the temperature, adding more cooking time as needed. In my experience, a baking time of 40 minutes is typically sufficient for a fresh or refrigerated tray.

5. Air Fryer Method (Alternative): For a quicker cooking time, consider using an air fryer oven. After covering with foil, bake for 30 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Always check the internal temperature and adjust time if necessary to ensure it reaches a safe eating temperature.

📋 Nutritional Insight: Costco Mac and Cheese

Understanding the nutritional content of your food is always a good idea. A single cup serving of Costco Wholesale Deli Mac & Cheese provides approximately 270 calories. It’s worth noting that detailed nutrition information for Costco deli items can be somewhat challenging to locate, as it’s not always prominently displayed on the packaging. Here’s a breakdown of the typical nutrition profile for one cup:

• Calories: 270 kcal
• Total Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Cholesterol: 45mg
• Sodium: 420mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 22g
• Fiber: <1g
• Net Carbs: 22g
• Total Sugar: 2g
• Protein: 14g
• Vitamin A: 8% DV
• Vitamin C: 0% DV
• Thiamin: 15% DV
• Riboflavin: 15% DV
• Niacin: 8% DV
• Folate: 20% DV
• Iron: 6% DV
• Calcium: 30% DV

This data indicates that Costco deli mac and cheese is a relatively high-fat, high-carbohydrate food. It contains a moderate amount of protein and is an excellent source of calcium and folate, while also being a good source of thiamin and riboflavin. However, its composition means it does not align with vegan, low-carb, or keto dietary patterns. For those following such diets, Costco occasionally offers alternatives like Nature’s Intent brand cauliflower mac and cheese, which is often gluten-free, vegetarian, and keto-friendly. Always check the labels for the most current and specific nutritional information.

🥤 Beyond the Deli: Other Mac and Cheese Options at Costco

While the Kirkland Signature deli mac and cheese is a highlight, Costco’s aisles are filled with other macaroni and cheese variations to suit different tastes and needs. If the large deli tray isn’t what you’re looking for, or if you prefer a quicker fix, there are plenty of alternatives to explore.

Kraft Easy Mac and Cheese Cups: Quick & Convenient

A perennial favorite for quick snacks or easy kid-friendly meals, Kraft Easy Mac and Cheese Cups are a staple at Costco. You can typically find them in packages of 12, each containing a 2.05 oz cup. Priced around $11.39 (though prices can vary by location and are subject to change), these cups offer unparalleled convenience. Your mac and cheese is ready in less than 5 minutes – simply add water up to the fill line, microwave for about 3.5 minutes, and stir in the cheese sauce mix.

These cups are perfect for students, busy adults, or anyone needing a rapid snack. However, in terms of flavor and texture, they generally don’t quite measure up to the richness and creaminess of the refrigerated deli mac and cheese. They are, nonetheless, incredibly useful for those emergency snack situations or when a trip to the grocery store isn’t feasible.

Classic Boxed Dinners and Gourmet Selections

Beyond the cups, Costco consistently stocks other popular mac and cheese products. You’ll almost always find the iconic Kraft Macaroni & Cheese dinner – the familiar blue box complete with cheese powder. Currently, they often offer large 18-box packages (7.25 oz per box) for around $18.49, providing a great bulk value.

Costco’s inventory is dynamic, often featuring specialty and seasonal mac and cheese items. In the past, I’ve seen Annie’s Organic mac and cheese and even a sophisticated truffle macaroni and cheese, though availability varies. More recently, offerings have included delectable lobster macaroni and cheese (likely a seasonal treat) and the highly acclaimed Beecher’s World’s Best Mac and Cheese. Beecher’s is a frozen option, typically available in a generous 46-ounce package. This vegetarian mac and cheese boasts its origins from Seattle’s Pike Place Market and NYC’s Flatiron District, promising a premium, gourmet experience straight from your freezer.

Making Your Boxed Kraft Mac and Cheese

If you’ve misplaced your Kraft Mac & Cheese box, don’t worry! Here are the simple directions to prepare your Costco Kraft mac and cheese:

1. Cook the Pasta: Boil the macaroni on the stovetop for 7-8 minutes, or until tender. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly.

2. Add Cheese and Mix: Return the drained pasta to the pot. Add the cheese mix packet, 4 tablespoons of butter, and ¼ cup of milk. Stir everything together vigorously until the cheese mix is fully dissolved and the butter has melted, creating a smooth, creamy sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!

🥘 The Legendary Costco Mac and Cheese Bucket

For a truly epic scale of comfort food, at one point, Costco famously offered a massive 26 lb. 10 oz. Costco Mac and Cheese bucket from Chef’s Banquet. While this colossal macaroni and cheese bucket is no longer consistently available online or at most local stores, it remains a memorable product. These 27-pound buckets were designed to provide an astounding 180 servings of elbow macaroni and cheddar cheese mix!

While an individual might not need such a massive quantity, these buckets were marketed with a unique selling point: long-term emergency food storage. The pasta itself could last up to 20 years, and the cheese sauce mix had a shelf life of up to 10 years, making it an invaluable asset for preparedness. Though the Chef’s Banquet mac and cheese bucket might be a relic of the past, Costco online continues to offer a wide array of emergency food supplies from trusted brands like Nutristore, Omeals, Nutrient Survival, Augason Farms, and Mountain House. Given Costco’s dynamic inventory, there’s always a possibility that a similar large-format macaroni and cheese product could make a return in the future, catering to both caterers and survivalists alike.

🔪 Pricing Your Comfort: Costco Mac and Cheese Tray Cost

One of the most frequently asked questions is, “How much does Costco mac and cheese cost?” As of 2024, the Kirkland Signature deli mac and cheese tray is typically priced at $2.99 per pound. Given the trays usually weigh between 3.5 and 4.5 pounds, you can expect to pay approximately $10 to $13 per package. It’s important to remember that prices are subject to change based on market fluctuations and can vary slightly by your specific Costco location. This makes it a highly economical choice for feeding a family or a gathering, offering substantial value for its quality and quantity.

❓ What’s Inside? Costco Mac and Cheese Ingredients

Curious about what makes Costco’s mac and cheese so delicious? The ingredients list for the prepared foods section’s mac and cheese reveals a combination designed for rich flavor and creamy texture:

• Cavatappi pasta: Made from water and enriched durum semolina flour, providing a hearty, spiraled base that expertly holds the sauce.
• Alfredo sauce: This is where much of the magic happens! It includes cream, milk, water, butter, Romano & Parmesan cheese, enriched flour, corn starch, salt, corn oil, olive oil, cream powder, sugar, yeast extract, natural flavors, garlic, cultured dextrose, xanthan gum, black pepper, spice, natural antimicrobial, and annatto extract. This blend creates a deeply savory and incredibly creamy base.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: Consisting of pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzyme, annatto for color, and natamycin (a natural mold inhibitor) for freshness, this topping melts into a delightful, golden crust.

While it might seem like a handful of components, the primary taste sensation undoubtedly comes from that luxurious alfredo sauce, packed with various dairy goodness. It’s also worth noting that, due to its composition and numerous ingredients, this product falls into the category of an ultra-processed food. However, for a convenient and comforting meal, its flavor profile is hard to beat.

Is Costco Mac and Cheese Vegetarian?

The deli mac and cheese from Costco is meat-free, but whether it’s strictly vegetarian depends on your definition. The ingredient list includes “enzyme” in its cheeses. This enzyme may or may not contain rennet, which is an animal-derived ingredient often sourced from the stomachs of animals. For strict vegetarians, this distinction is crucial. If you are seeking a guaranteed vegetarian option, some Costco locations may offer take-and-bake vegan mac and cheese, which would, of course, also be vegetarian. Additionally, Costco Canada has been known to carry Banza mac and cheese, another popular vegetarian choice.

Does Costco Mac and Cheese Have Eggs?

At the time of writing, the Costco mac and cheese found in the deli section does not list eggs as a direct ingredient. However, food recipes can change, so it is always essential to check the most current product label if an egg-free diet is a necessity for you. Furthermore, please be aware that this mac and cheese is produced in a facility that also processes eggs, meaning that cross-contact may potentially occur.

Is Costco Mac and Cheese Gluten-Free?

No, the standard Costco mac and cheese contains wheat noodles and is therefore not gluten-free. Additionally, it is manufactured in a facility that handles other wheat-containing foods, making it unsuitable for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.

🤔 Serving Size: How Many Does Costco Mac and Cheese Feed?

When planning a meal, a common question is, “How many people does Costco Mac and Cheese serve?” Costco typically suggests about 10 servings per package. However, in reality, the substantial 3.5-4.5 lb tray of deli mac and cheese is quite versatile. As a generous main entrée, it realistically serves 4-6 people. If you’re using it as a hearty side dish, it can easily accommodate 6-8 guests. This makes it an incredibly cost-effective and convenient option for family meals, small gatherings, or even larger parties when paired with other dishes. Its flexibility in serving size adds to its appeal as a go-to comfort food from Costco.

🥶 Storage Solutions: Can I Freeze Costco Mac and Cheese?

Absolutely, Costco mac and cheese can be frozen, making it an excellent choice for future meals or meal prepping. For short-term freezing, you can place the covered plastic container directly into the freezer. However, for optimal long-term storage and to prevent freezer burn, it’s recommended to transfer the mac and cheese to a freezer-safe container, a vacuum-sealed bag, or a freezer storage bag with as much air pressed out as possible. This helps maintain its quality, texture, and flavor for extended periods, allowing you to enjoy this delicious dish whenever a craving strikes.

⏲ Cooking from Frozen: Can You Put Frozen Costco Mac and Cheese in the Oven?

Yes, you can absolutely cook Costco mac and cheese directly from its frozen state, which adds another layer of convenience. To do so, follow these simple steps:

1. Transfer the contents of half the frozen tray into a metal baking pan.

2. Cover the pan securely with aluminum foil.

3. Place the covered pan on a dark cookie sheet (this helps with even heat distribution) in an oven preheated to 400°F (200°C).

4. Bake for approximately 60 minutes. Because it’s starting from frozen, it requires more time than a refrigerated portion.

5. Always verify that the mac and cheese has heated thoroughly by checking with a meat thermometer. It should reach a minimum safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.

This method ensures that your frozen mac and cheese comes out perfectly warm and gooey, ready to enjoy.

🌡 How Long Can Costco Mac and Cheese Stay in the Fridge?

Once cooked, Costco mac and cheese should be stored in an airtight container or tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator. It will typically remain fresh and safe to eat for up to 3-4 days. To prevent it from drying out, ensure it’s properly sealed. If you know you won’t consume the entire batch within this timeframe, it’s best to freeze portions for later enjoyment.

Can You Reheat Costco Mac and Cheese?

Yes! Reheating Costco mac and cheese is simple. For individual portions, the microwave is your best friend. Place the chilled mac and cheese in a microwave-safe bowl, cover it with a paper towel (to prevent splatters and help retain moisture), and microwave on high for about 2 minutes. Since microwave ovens vary in power, you may need to adjust the heating time slightly to ensure it’s thoroughly warmed through to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

😋 Elevate Your Meal: How to Make Costco Mac and Cheese Even Better?

Costco’s mac and cheese is fantastic on its own, but there are several creative ways to enhance its flavor and appeal, transforming it into an even more impressive dish:

• Smoke It: For a unique and incredibly rich flavor, consider smoking your Costco mac and cheese. The smoky notes infuse the creamy cheese, creating a gourmet experience. (Similar to our popular smoked mac and cheese recipe!)
• Gourmet Toppings: Customize your mac and cheese with delicious toppings. Try crispy crumbled bacon, sweet caramelized onions, fresh chopped chives, a sprinkle of hot sauce for a kick, or even some extra grated gourmet cheese like gouda or gruyere for added depth.
• Add Protein: Turn it into a complete meal by mixing in cooked shredded chicken, pulled pork, or sliced hot dogs.
• Vegetable Boost: Stir in some steamed broccoli florets, peas, or sautéed mushrooms for added nutrients and texture.
• Breadcrumb Topping: For an extra layer of crunch, mix butter with panko breadcrumbs and sprinkle generously over the top before the final bake.

Experiment with these additions to discover your favorite way to enjoy this versatile comfort food!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can Costco mac and cheese be microwaved?

Yes, you can easily microwave Costco mac and cheese. Place your desired portion in a microwave-safe bowl, cover it with a paper towel, and heat on high for about 2 minutes. Adjust the time as needed until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Can you cook Costco mac and cheese in a crock pot?

Yes, heating Costco mac and cheese in a slow cooker is a convenient option, especially for keeping it warm during a gathering. Butter or oil the crockpot insert, add the mac and cheese, cover, and heat on low until it reaches a minimum safe temperature of 165°F (74°C), stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.

Is Costco mac and cheese fully cooked?

Costco mac and cheese from the deli section is pre-cooked, but it typically has uncooked shredded cheese on top that melts during baking. According to Costco’s directions and USDA recommendations for reheating leftovers, it should always be reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety and optimal enjoyment.

How do you make Costco mac and cheese bites?

You can certainly get creative with Costco’s mac and cheese! Costco itself has provided recipes for making mac and cheese balls using their Kraft mac n cheese. If you’re looking for an even simpler solution for cheesy bites, products like Trader Joe’s Mac and Cheese bites are also a fantastic ready-made alternative that many enjoy.

👩🏻‍🍳 Explore More Costco Delights

Maximize your Costco membership by exploring other fantastic food finds and how to prepare them:

• How to Cook Costco Pork Belly
• Costco Cauliflower Rice Review
• Stuffed Peppers from Costco
• Costco Spanakopita Review