Offering fantastic convenience for a busy weeknight, the Costco Kirkland Signature Stuffed Bell Peppers are a delicious and hearty meal that is definitely worth the price. They pack a savory, classic flavor that the whole family can enjoy, as long as you cook them correctly.
We bought a package to see if they live up to the hype. This is our complete review, covering price, cooking instructions, taste, nutrition, and the final verdict on whether you should add them to your cart.
First Impressions: What’s Inside the Package?
You can find these stuffed bell peppers in the prepared foods section of the Costco deli, alongside items like the meatloaf, mac and cheese, and rotisserie chickens. They come in a large, oven-safe aluminum tray with a clear plastic lid.
Inside our package, we found:
- Six bell pepper halves (a mix of red and orange peppers).
- A generous stuffing of seasoned ground beef and rice.
- A topping of shredded Parmesan, Mozzarella, and Provolone cheese.
- The Costco item number for this product is 42940.
The peppers look fresh and are assembled neatly in the tray, ready to go straight from your fridge to the oven.
How Much Do The Costco Stuffed Bell Peppers Cost?
The Costco Stuffed Bell Peppers cost $4.99 per pound. Our package weighed 3.74 pounds for a total price of $18.66.
This breaks down to about $3.11 per stuffed pepper half, which is a very reasonable price for a pre-made entrée of this size. Considering it can easily serve as a main course for three to six people depending on appetite, it offers solid value.
How Do You Cook Stuffed Peppers from Costco?
The best way to cook the Costco Stuffed Peppers is in a conventional oven, but the air fryer also works well if you’re making a smaller batch. The goal is to heat them through until the center is hot and the cheese on top is melted and golden. The package recommends a minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
Official Oven Cooking Instructions
These are the official instructions from the Kirkland Signature label:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Remove the plastic lid from the aluminum tray.
- Place the tray on a baking sheet for stability.
- Put the baking sheet on the center rack of your oven.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
How to Cook Costco Stuffed Bell Peppers in an Air Fryer (Our Pro-Tip)
If you aren’t cooking the whole tray, the air fryer is a fantastic and faster option for one or two pepper halves.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place one or two pepper halves in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes.
- Check that the center is hot (at least 165°F) and the cheese is nicely melted. The slightly lower temperature helps prevent the top from burning before the middle is fully heated.
How Do The Kirkland Stuffed Peppers Actually Taste?
The Costco Stuffed Bell Peppers deliver a classic, comforting flavor, featuring savory seasoned beef and rice inside a perfectly tender-crisp bell pepper. The peppers cook to a perfect tender-crisp texture, holding their shape without becoming mushy.
The filling is the star of the show. The ground beef is seasoned well, and the rice provides a great texture and makes the dish very hearty and filling. The blend of Romano, Mozzarella, and Provolone cheese in the filling and the Parmesan on top adds a wonderful salty, savory flavor that ties everything together. It tastes like a classic homemade stuffed pepper.
Are Costco Stuffed Bell Peppers Healthy? (Nutrition & Calories)
From a nutritional standpoint, the Costco Stuffed Bell Peppers are a mixed bag. While one pepper provides an impressive 26g of protein, it also contains 35% of your daily recommended sodium and saturated fat. This makes it more of a hearty, occasional meal than a daily health food.
Costco Stuffed Peppers Nutrition Facts
Here is the nutritional information for one serving (one 265g stuffed pepper half):
- Calories: 350
- Total Fat: 16g (21% DV)
- Saturated Fat: 7g (35% DV)
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 70mg (23% DV)
- Sodium: 810mg (35% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 23g (8% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 2g (7% DV)
- Total Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 26g
Costco Stuffed Peppers Ingredients Breakdown
The main ingredients listed are beef crumbles, parboiled rice, bell peppers, tomato paste, and a blend of cheeses (Mozzarella, Provolone, Romano, and Parmesan). The ingredient list also includes onions, garlic, and spices for flavor.
The key allergen information notes that this product contains Milk. It is also manufactured in a facility that processes wheat, soy, egg, peanuts, treenuts, fish, shellfish, and sesame.
The Final Verdict: Are They Worth Buying?
Yes, the Costco Stuffed Bell Peppers are absolutely worth buying. For anyone who loves classic comfort food, they offer incredible convenience and flavor without the hassle of cooking from scratch.
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Taste | 9/10 |
| Convenience | 10/10 |
| Price & Value | 8/10 |
| Overall | 9/10 |
Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
- Buy If: You need an easy and delicious weeknight dinner, you’re a fan of classic comfort food, and you appreciate meals that can be made in one pan.
- Pass If: You are on a strict low-sodium or low-fat diet, or you prefer your peppers to be very crisp rather than tender-cooked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s in Costco’s stuffed bell peppers? The filling is made primarily of seasoned ground beef, parboiled rice, tomato paste, and a blend of cheeses including Romano, Mozzarella, and Provolone. They are topped with Parmesan cheese.
How many calories are in a Costco stuffed bell pepper? One stuffed pepper half from Costco contains 350 calories.
Can you freeze the Costco stuffed peppers? Yes, you can freeze them. They freeze well in the original aluminum tray. To cook from frozen, you will need to add a significant amount of time to the baking, likely 90 minutes or more, and ensure the center reaches 165°F.
How long are Costco stuffed peppers good for? The package has a “Sell By” date. You should plan to cook them by that date or freeze them for later use. Once cooked, leftovers should be refrigerated and consumed within 3-4 days.