The Best Italian Products at Costco, According to a Food Writer

I'm often embarrassed about how much I talk about Costco in social situations, but what can I say? My love runs deep. We buy staples weekly at the local warehouse: milk, eggs, and bread are non-negotiables, but about once a month, I also stock the pantry. I recently realized that many of these staples are imported directly from Italy or have a direct connection to one of the world's greatest food countries.

We lean towards lots of Italian-inspired meals, and I've never met an Italian cheese I didn't like, so it does make a lot of sense. Plus, with a house of three kids under nine, pasta is on the menu almost nightly.

I don't foresee myself strolling the Amalfi coast anytime soon, but browsing Costco childfree during executive member hours might be the next best thing. 

Kirkland Signature Imported Basil Pesto

Made from 100% imported Italian basil DOP grown in the heart of Genoa, this is the real deal, and the 22-ounce jar for $11.34 makes it feel especially generous. I never thought store-bought pesto could taste better than homemade until I tried this, and then I stopped making it myself. It stays fresh for a few weeks in the fridge, and I love being able to grab a spoonful to whisk into eggs or spread onto sandwiches whenever I need a quick hit of flavor.

Nina Whole Peeled Tomatoes

Six pounds is a lot of tomatoes, but at $6.99 for a six-pound, 10-ounce can, the price is almost too good to believe. These are authentic San Marzano tomatoes, and a similar 28-ounce can can cost up to $7.99. I usually buy them when I'm making a big batch of Sunday gravy or Classic Bolognese, and if I don't need the full quantity, I freeze the excess in plastic quart containers for a rainy day.

Kirkland Signature Italian Parmigiano Reggiano

I do not feel safe in my home without at least one wedge of this cheese in the fridge. Aged over 24 months, its flavor and texture are perfection, and at $16.27 per pound, it's the kind of staple I always make room for.

Kirkland Signature Aged Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese, Shredded

It may seem like overkill to keep two forms of Parmigiano in my fridge, but with kids in the house, I rely on this shortcut cheese, which comes in a convenient one-pound package for $17.99, to get dinner on the table quickly without sacrificing flavor. I sprinkle it on pasta, soup, or even grilled cheese. 

Kirkland Signature Five Cheese Tortelloni

These blow any other frozen tortellini out of the water. You can really taste the authentic Parmigiano Reggiano in the filling, and they're slightly larger than your standard tortellini. The two 24-ounce bags for $14.74 make them easy to keep stocked for a quick side dish or an easy lunch for my kids, and I always like having them on hand for our favorite simple soup when I need something comforting fast.

Fratelli Beretta Prosciutto Di Parma

My kids are totally spoiled because this is our go-to ham for lunchbox sandwiches. It stays fresher than anything from the deli, and the two six-ounce packs for $17.01 make it easy to keep on hand for quick sandwiches and the occasional snack plate, too.

Asaro Organic Castelvetrano Green Olives

These are my two-year-old's very favorite snacks, and I can't blame her. They're fruity and briny without being overly salty, conveniently pitted, and come in a generous 19-ounce jar for $9.49, making them easy to munch on straight from the container or toss into a sauce at a moment's notice.

Garofalo, Organic Pasta, Variety Pack

If you don't find this pasta in my pantry, please call for help. In all seriousness, this is a very high-quality pasta made in Italy from 100% durum wheat, and the 17.6-ounce packages, sold six to a pack for $10.99, make it easy to keep well-stocked at all times.

Graza Sizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil

While this olive oil is not produced in Italy, it's a staple in my kitchen, and the two 750-milliliter bottles for $19.28 make it especially easy to keep one within reach, a habit I happily justify because squeeze bottles, practical as they are, make everyday cooking so much easier.

Kirkland Signature Organic Balsamic Vinegar

Made and bottled in Modena, this thick and luscious balsamic has DOP status, with a deep, concentrated flavor and a sweet, nutty finish, and it comes in a generous one-liter bottle for $16.79. It's very deeply flavored and has a sweet, nutty finish. 

_{Please note that prices reflect the author's time and location; prices will vary by location.}