As an Italian-American, food is a huge part of how I experience the world. I grew up in a family where Sunday sauce simmered on the stove for hours and cheese, cured meats and pasta were never in short supply. Later in my career, I spent more than 15 years working for one of the most recognizable Italian-American food personalities in the world, which meant professional levels of grocery shopping and talking about ingredients, traditions and cooking techniques every single day. These days, as a content creator and food writer, I spend an enormous amount of time walking grocery aisles, analyzing products and figuring out which ones are actually worth buying.
And if there’s one store that constantly surprises me when it comes to Italian ingredients, it’s Costco.
The warehouse carries an impressively broad range of Italian and Italian-inspired products, from cheeses imported directly from Italy to pantry staples, cured meats, pasta and even ready-to-heat comfort foods. Some of these items are incredible values and genuinely high quality. Others…not so much.
For this list, I defined “Italian” pretty broadly. Some products are authentic ingredients made in Italy, like Parmigiano-Reggiano or balsamic vinegar. Others are staples I regularly use to cook Italian and Italian-American dishes at home, like pasta, sausage or pesto. And a few are prepared foods that help create classic Italian flavors without spending hours in the kitchen.
After many Costco trips and plenty of taste-testing at home, here are the Italian groceries I always buy at this fan-favorite store, and a few I’d skip.
Related: We Made Sauce With 16 Different Canned Tomatoes and the Winner Won by a Landslide
Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma
(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)What Italian Products Do They Sell at Costco?
Costco’s Italian selection is surprisingly extensive. You’ll find everything from imported pantry staples to ready-to-eat meals that make weeknight dinners easier.
On the ingredient side, the store regularly stocks high-quality olive oils, balsamic vinegar, pasta, olives and cheeses imported directly from Italy. There’s also a strong selection of cured meats like salami and prosciutto that are perfect for antipasto platters or grazing boards.
Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma
(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
Beyond pantry staples, Costco also carries prepared Italian foods that make cooking fast and convenient—think frozen lasagnas, tiramisu desserts and refrigerated sauces or meatballs that can turn into dinner in minutes.
Related: That’s Amore! 12 Classic Italian Pizza Recipes That Are Pure Happiness in Pie Form
12 Best Italian Groceries To Buy at Costco
Whether you’re cooking a traditional Italian meal from scratch or looking for shortcuts that still taste great, Costco’s Italian section has plenty worth exploring. Here are the 12 to check out first.
1. Italian Cheeses: Pecorino Romano, Kirkland Parmigiano Reggiano and Crescenza Stracchino
Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma
(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
When it comes to Italian cheeses, Costco is one of the best places to buy them. The pricing on Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino Romano is almost impossible to beat, especially considering the quality. If you cook Italian food regularly, these cheeses get used quickly on pasta, salads, soups and roasted vegetables, so buying them in larger quantities actually makes sense.
Costco also occasionally carries Crescenza Stracchino, a soft, creamy cheese that’s fantastic spread on bread or paired with prosciutto. For Italian cheese lovers, this section alone is worth the membership.
2. Mama Mancini’s Italian Style Sauce & Jumbo Meatballs
Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma
(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
These are a sleeper hit in the refrigerated section. The meatballs are tender, well-seasoned and genuinely satisfying. Do they rival my nonna’s homemade meatballs? Not quite…but for a weeknight dinner when your kids are asking for meatballs (again), they’re a lifesaver.
The sauce is hearty and flavorful, and the meatballs heat up beautifully for pasta night, sandwiches or even as part of a quick appetizer spread.
3. Cured Meats: Kirkland Italian-Style Dry Salami and Beretta Parma Ham
Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma
(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
The cured meats at Costco are another category where the value is outstanding. The Kirkland Italian-style dry salame comes in a two-pack and is balanced, savory with great texture.
Costco also regularly carries Prosciutto di Parma, which is one of the most iconic Italian cured meats. Both products are staples for antipasto platters, grazing boards and even lunch boxes. If you love entertaining or snacking they’re an easy buy.
4. Tiramisu Cups
Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma
(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
These individual tiramisu cups are made in Italy and include the classic ingredients you’d expect: espresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone and cocoa.
I first bought them on a whim for a dinner party (full disclosure: I am not a dessert maker), and the crowd absolutely loved them. They’re authentic, well-balanced and packaged perfectly for serving at gatherings or building a quick dessert bar.
Related: The Italian Way to Transform Fruit Into a Perfect Frozen Treat
5. Kirkland Signature Italian Basil Pesto
Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma
(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
This pesto has appeared on nearly every Costco list I’ve written, and for good reason. The flavor is classic and reliable, with basil, cheese and olive oil that taste freshly made.
Because the jar is large, I usually freeze half once I open it so none goes to waste. It works beautifully as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, salad topper or even layered into lasagna.
6. Kirkland Signature Asolo Prosecco
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(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
This sparkling wine comes from Italy’s Veneto region and is widely considered one of the best wine deals at Costco. The bottle typically costs around $7–$8, yet drinks like something much more expensive.
It’s crisp, light and incredibly versatile. I use it for spritzes, keep it on hand for celebrations and often bring it to gatherings. It’s one of those Costco items I rarely leave the warehouse without.
7. Kirkland Signature Organic Balsamic Vinegar
Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma
(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
This balsamic vinegar is another excellent pantry staple. The bottle is large, so it lasts a long time, and the flavor is surprisingly rich for the price.
It’s perfect for making salad dressings, drizzling over vegetables or dipping bread with olive oil. For everyday cooking, it delivers impressive quality without the premium price tag.
8. Rustic Italian Bread
Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma
(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
Costco’s bakery section consistently turns out great breads, and the rustic Italian loaf is one of the best.
It has a crisp crust, soft interior and the kind of flavor you want for dipping into olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It’s also excellent sliced for sandwiches or served alongside pasta dinners.
9. Kirkland Sausage and Beef Lasagna
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(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
Lasagna is one of those dishes that requires serious time and effort to make from scratch. Costco’s frozen sausage and beef lasagna is one of the rare prepared versions that truly delivers.
It’s comforting, flavorful and layered well, making it perfect for busy nights. I wouldn’t hesitate to serve this to family as an easy starter or casual dinner.
Related: 25 Spicy, Sweet & Saucy Italian Sausage Recipes to Work Into Your Weeknight Rotation
10. Asaro Organic Castelvetrano Olives
Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma
(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
Castelvetrano olives are my favorite olives, period. They’re buttery, mild and incredibly snackable.
The Costco jar is huge and typically costs under $10, making it a fantastic value. They’re perfect for antipasto platters, salads, charcuterie boards or just snacking straight from the jar.
11. Garofalo Organic Pasta
Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma
(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
This six-pack of organic pasta is one of the best deals in the warehouse. The shapes are classic, the quality is excellent and the price, usually under $12, is almost unheard of for organic pasta.
If you cook pasta regularly, it’s an easy pantry staple to stock up on.
12. Kirkland Signature Mild Italian Sausage
Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma
(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
Whether you grill them whole or remove the meat from the casing for sauces and pasta dishes, these sausages are incredibly versatile.
They freeze beautifully, making them ideal for bulk buying. The flavor is well-balanced and works perfectly in dishes like sausage and peppers, baked ziti or homemade meat sauce.
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3 Italian Groceries To Skip at Costco1. Stonemill Kitchens Mushroom Risotto
Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma
(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
I had high hopes for this prepared risotto, but unfortunately it falls short. Risotto should be creamy, fresh and full of flavor, and this version misses the mark.
The mushroom flavor is pleasant, but the rice texture isn’t quite right. Risotto is one of those dishes that’s simply better when made fresh.
2. Kirkland Signature Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma
(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
While Costco sells many excellent products, this olive oil isn’t my favorite. The biggest issue is the packaging—it’s bottled in plastic.
Olive oil is best stored in dark glass bottles to preserve its flavor and quality. Because of that, I usually choose other olive oil options instead.
3. Costco Food Court Calzone
Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma
(Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma)
I really wanted to love this food court item. Who doesn’t love a calzone?!
Unfortunately, the flavors feel a bit chaotic and the center tends to be overly soft and mushy. When it comes to the Costco food court, I’d stick with the classics, like the hot dog combo.
Related: This Meal-Time Must-Have Just Entered Costco For a Limited Time—Get It Before It’s Gone
Final Takeaways
Costco is one of my favorite places to shop for Italian ingredients. Not just because of the prices, but because many of the products are genuinely high quality. From imported cheeses and cured meats to pantry staples like pasta, pesto and balsamic vinegar, the warehouse offers incredible value if you know what to look for.
And if you’re someone who loves cooking Italian or Italian-American food at home, stocking up on the right items can make weeknight dinners feel a lot more special.
Just remember: not everything in the Italian aisle is a winner. But with the right picks in your cart, you’ll walk out ready to cook and eat very well.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Food & Drink section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Dining and Cooking