Feeding a family on Costco hauls but still want real protein on the table? These meal prep dinners are built around what’s actually in your Costco cart — rotisserie chicken, ground beef, ground turkey, and frozen meatballs — and every one hits close to 30g of protein a serving.
Costco’s bulk meat and poultry is some of the best value in the store, but it’s easy to buy a giant pack of chicken breast or ground beef and not know what to do with all of it by Thursday.
These recipes give you practical options that make weekly cooking simpler and help you get more value from your Costco grocery haul.
COSTCO HIGH PROTEIN MEAL PREP IDEAS FOR FAMILIES
1. Chicken and Broccoli Rice Casserole
Shredded chicken, steamed broccoli, and cooked rice baked together in a homemade cheddar sauce. It’s a comforting, kid-friendly casserole that reheats well for lunches all week.
From Costco: Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken, a bag of frozen broccoli florets, long grain rice, and shredded cheddar.
Protein: ~30g per serving (estimated from ingredients).
→ Get the full recipe: Chicken and Broccoli Rice Casserole
2. Baked Ground Beef Pasta Casserole
Browned ground beef, penne, and a rich tomato sauce, layered with mozzarella and baked until bubbly. A big-batch dinner that’s just as good reheated the next day.
From Costco: Kirkland Signature ground beef, a box of penne, a jar of marinara, and shredded mozzarella.
Protein: ~28g per serving (estimated from ingredients).
→ Get the full recipe: Baked Ground Beef Pasta Casserole
3. Potatoes and Ground Beef Broccoli Casserole
Thinly sliced potatoes, browned ground beef, and steamed broccoli, all covered in a cheesy sauce and baked. A full dinner in one dish, no side needed.
From Costco: Kirkland Signature ground beef, russet potatoes, frozen broccoli, and shredded cheese.
Protein: ~29g per serving (estimated from ingredients).
→ Get the full recipe: Potatoes and Ground Beef Broccoli Casserole
4. Potato Casserole with Ground Chicken and Spinach
Ground chicken browned with onion, layered with sliced potatoes and wilted spinach, and baked in a light sauce. A lighter casserole that still eats like a full dinner.
From Costco: Kirkland Signature ground chicken, a bag of fresh spinach, and russet potatoes.
Protein: ~27g per serving (estimated from ingredients).
→ Get the full recipe: Potato Casserole with Ground Chicken and Spinach
5. Ground Chicken Casserole with Zucchini and Eggplant
Thin slices of eggplant and zucchini layered with a ground chicken and tomato filling. A lasagna-style casserole without the pasta.
From Costco: Kirkland Signature ground chicken, zucchini and eggplant from the produce section, and a jar of marinara.
Protein: ~26g per serving (estimated from ingredients).
→ Get the full recipe: Ground Chicken Casserole with Zucchini and Eggplant
6. Chicken, Zucchini, and Cheese Casserole
Sliced zucchini, shredded chicken, and a creamy cheese sauce baked together into a simple, comforting dinner.
From Costco: Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken, zucchini, and a bag of shredded cheese blend.
Protein: ~28g per serving (estimated from ingredients).
→ Get the full recipe: Chicken, Zucchini, and Cheese Casserole
7. Chicken Spinach Cauliflower Casserole
Shredded chicken, wilted spinach, and roasted cauliflower, all baked together in a creamy cheddar sauce. A lower-carb casserole that still feels indulgent.
From Costco: Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken, a bag of fresh spinach, and a bag of frozen cauliflower.
Protein: ~29g per serving (estimated from ingredients).
→ Get the full recipe: Chicken Spinach Cauliflower Casserole
8. Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
Tender ground turkey meatballs simmered in marinara, served over spiralized zucchini instead of pasta. A lighter dinner that’s still filling.
From Costco: Kirkland Signature ground turkey, zucchini, and a jar of marinara.
Protein: ~30g per serving (estimated from ingredients).
→ Get the full recipe: Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
9. Fettuccine Pasta with Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Tender homemade-style meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, tossed with fettuccine instead of the usual spaghetti.
From Costco: Kirkland Signature frozen meatballs, a box of fettuccine, and a jar of marinara.
Protein: ~27g per serving (estimated from ingredients).
→ Get the full recipe: Fettuccine Pasta with Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
10. Easy Crockpot Swedish Meatballs
A creamy slow cooker dinner made with frozen or homemade meatballs, beef broth, and a rich mushroom-sour cream sauce. About as dump-and-go as dinner gets.
From Costco: A bag of Kirkland Signature frozen meatballs, a can of cream of mushroom soup, and sour cream.
Protein: ~26g per serving (estimated from ingredients).
→ Get the full recipe: Easy Crockpot Swedish Meatballs
11. Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala
A slow cooker version of the classic dish made with boneless skinless chicken breasts, crushed tomatoes, onion, and warm spices, finished with a swirl of cream.
From Costco: Kirkland Signature chicken breasts and a can of crushed tomatoes.
Protein: ~32g per serving (estimated from ingredients).
→ Get the full recipe: Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala
12. One Skillet Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese
An easy one-pan dinner made with ground beef, elbow macaroni, cheddar, and American cheese. A kid-favorite that comes together in one skillet.
From Costco: Kirkland Signature ground beef, a box of elbow macaroni, and shredded cheddar.
Protein: ~29g per serving (estimated from ingredients).
→ Get the full recipe: One Skillet Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese
13. Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
An easy dump-and-go dinner made with chicken breasts, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and taco seasoning that shreds apart on its own by dinnertime.
From Costco: Kirkland Signature chicken breasts, a can of black beans, and a bag of frozen corn.
Protein: ~32g per serving (estimated from ingredients).
→ Get the full recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
14. Chili Con Carne
A traditional Mexican-style chili made with ground beef, kidney beans, black beans, corn, onion, bell pepper, and tomatoes.
From Costco: Kirkland Signature ground beef, canned kidney and black beans, and frozen corn.
Protein: 31g per serving (real, from the recipe).
→ Get the full recipe: Chili Con Carne
15. One Pot Beef and Chickpea Stew
Tender beef, filling chickpeas, and vegetables simmered in a rich, savory broth in one comforting pot. Packed with both protein and fiber.
From Costco: Kirkland Signature beef stew meat and canned chickpeas.
Protein: ~30g per serving (estimated from ingredients).
→ Get the full recipe: One Pot Beef and Chickpea Stew
Most of these keep in the fridge for 4-5 days or freeze well for up to 3 months, so it’s worth doubling a batch or two on a big Costco shopping week.
