This post was originally published in February 2023 and updated annually, the most recent was in February 2025
While spaghetti and meatballs are primarily an American dish, these round balls of beef are on menus worldwide. Considering the many uses and cuisines, it’s no surprise that the Costco Italian meatballs are one of the most popular items sold in the warehouse.
This product is easy to cook and, despite the Italian style in the name, versatile. But are they any good? We’ve put this product in our cart numerous times during our 20-plus years of shopping at Costco. While we have purchased them a lot, they aren’t perfect.
Let’s get into it.
What Kind Of Meatballs Does Costco Sell?
Costco sells several meatballs, including Amylu Teriyaki Pineapple Meatballs, Amylu Organic Paleo Meatballs, and Kirkland Signature Italian Style Meatballs. The Amylu products are refrigerated, and the Kirkland version is frozen. The store variety is very popular.
This article discusses Costco Italian meatballs, item number 88774, which are located in the freezer section of the store. We paid $17.99 for a six-pound bag.
Are Costco Italian Meatballs Pre-Cooked?
Like most prepacked meatballs, the Kirkland Signature variety is fully cooked. They are sold frozen, so you will want to heat them before serving. You don’t need to worry about a pink center, but it’s best practice to have the internal temperature reach 165 degrees.
What Are Kirkland Meatballs Made Of? Costco Italian Meatball Ingredients
Here are the ingredients.
Ground Beef, Water, Breadcrumbs (Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour, [Bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine, Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]. Salt, Leavening [Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Acid, Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate], Vegetable Oil [Canola &/Or Sunflower], Dextrose, Yeast, Spice Extractives), Soy Protein Concentrate, Dextrose, Salt, Mustard, Spices, Dehydrated Green Bell Pepper, Dehydrated Red Bell Pepper, Parmesan cheese (Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Romano cheese From Cow’s Milk (Cultured Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Salt, Enzymes), Dehydrated Garlic, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Chili Pepper, Natural Flavors, Dehydrated Parsley.
Allergen Warnings: This product contains milk, soy, and wheat.
Are Costco Meatballs Good For You? Costco Meatballs Nutrition Info
Everyone has different nutrition goals. These Costco meatballs are high in saturated fat (7g per serving) and sodium (520 mg per serving).
Here’s the complete nutrition info.
Are Costco’s Kirkland Signature Meatballs Worth It? Here’s the Scoop!
If you’ve ever stood in Costco’s frozen food aisle wondering, Are these Kirkland Signature meatballs any good?—you’re not alone! Meatballs are a staple in our house, and while I love making them from scratch, sometimes convenience wins. These Costco meatballs are a solid option, but do they live up to homemade? Let’s dig in.
The Taste Test
These meatballs are packed with flavor but still kid-friendly—no surprise heat, just a balanced blend of seasonings. My little ones love them, and I appreciate that they don’t need a ton of extra sauce to be delicious. The texture is a little more processed than I prefer, but that’s to be expected with store-bought meatballs.
Serving Ideas
One of the best things about these meatballs? Their versatility! We love them as appetizers—just pop them in the oven or microwave, and they’re ready in minutes. They’re also great in pasta, subs, or even Swedish-style with a creamy sauce. But heads up: they do come out a bit greasy. A quick blot with paper towels helps tone that down.
How Do They Compare to Amylu Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs?
If you’re looking for a sweeter option, the Amylu Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs (also found at Costco) might be more your style. They have a hint of pineapple, giving them a slightly tropical, caramelized flavor. While both meatballs are the same convenient bite-size, Kirkland’s are more traditional, while Amylu’s lean into that sweet-savory balance.
Pros & Cons of Kirkland Signature Meatballs
✅ Pros:
✔️ Kid-friendly and flavorful
✔️ Super easy to heat and serve
✔️ Versatile—great for pasta, appetizers, or subs
✔️ Bulk-sized for meal prepping or parties
❌ Cons:
⚠️ A bit greasier than homemade meatballs
⚠️ Slightly processed taste compared to scratch-made
⚠️ Less unique flavor than Amylu’s sweeter meatballs
Final Verdict
We enjoy these Kirkland Signature meatballs for their ease and flavor, but if you’re a from-scratch meatball fan, they might not fully satisfy. However, for a quick and tasty option, they absolutely get the job done! Just keep the sauce simple and grab a napkin for any extra grease.
Would you go for these, or are you Team Amylu? Let me know!
How Much is a Bag of Meatballs From Costco?
The price has changed dramatically over the past few years from an all-time high of $24.99 in 2023 down to $17.99 in 2024. In 2025, they are selling for $19.99. These prices are standard, NOT a sale.
A six-pound bag of Kirkland Signature Meatballs costs $24.99. Each contains approximately 140 small meatballs. This price is comparable to what you would pay at a grocery store.
How To Use Costco Meatballs
- Meatball Subs
- Pizza Topping
- With Pasta
- Shortcut to Stroganoff
- Grape Jelly Meatballs
How To Cook Costco Meatballs: 4 Ways
You can cook Kirkland Signature meatballs in the oven, air fryer, or microwave. You don’t need to defrost the meatballs before using these methods. They tend to emit grease after cooking; a quick roll on paper towels will absorb most of it.
How To Cook Frozen Costco Meatballs In The Oven
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Arrange frozen meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet. Heat for 20 minutes.
How To Cook Frozen Costco Meatballs In The Air Fryer
Coat meatballs lightly in cooking oil and preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees. Place them in a single layer in the basket and cook for 8-10 minutes.
How To Cook Frozen Costco Meatballs In The Microwave
Microwave ovens vary, but a general guideline is to cook the meatballs for 10 minutes at 50 percent power.
How To Steam Costco Meatballs
Place the meatballs in a single layer in a steamer basket over boiling water and cover. Cook until heated through
How To Cook Costco Meatballs In The Crockpot
You do not need to defrost meatballs before cooking them in the crockpot. Place the desired amount of meatballs in the slow cooker in one layer. Pour in sauce to cover the meat. Cook on low for four to six hours.
Just because these are “Italian-style” meatballs, there’s no need to stick with just that type of sauce (although we love Rao’s Marinara Sauce, which is available at Costco). Any sauce will do; teriyaki, stroganoff, and BBQ are just a few options.
Whichever flavor you choose, cook the meatballs until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
How To Store Costco Meatballs
Frozen meatballs are best kept in their original resealable bag. After cooking, place them in a plastic or glass container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Let your senses guide you; if something doesn’t look, taste, or smell right, it’s best to toss it.
Frozen meatballs are good for 3-4 months if properly stored.
Can You Refreeze Costco Meatballs
If you handle Costco meatballs properly, you could refreeze them. Freezing doesn’t kill bacteria, but it does stop microbes from multiplying. If you have safely thawed or cooked frozen meatballs, there won’t be bacteria.
Do not leave the meatballs at room temperature for longer than two hours; heat them until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Be aware that refreezing frozen meatballs may slightly degrade the texture.
How Many Meatballs Per Person
The Costco Italian meatballs are 1 inch. The serving size is five meatballs. However, amounts vary based on how you are serving them.
As an appetizer, plan for four meatballs per person. If you are making a meatball main course, you will need more. There are approximately 23 meatballs in a pound and 140 total in the package.
One six-pound bag serves about 28 people as an appetizer.
Have you tried these meatballs? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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