This Bacon-Loaded Side Dish Is One Of Costco's Best New Kirkland Signature Items Of 2026

If you asked customers which Costco food items they need to try before they die, the chain's mac and cheese would likely be one of the more popular responses. The Kirkland Signature item is adored for its convenience, multiple cheeses, and crowd-pleasing abilities. Seeing as the pre-packed meal has a well-established following, it's no wonder one of the chain's recently revived varieties — BBQ chicken mac and cheese with bacon — quickly became a fan favorite in 2026.

It comes in a heat-and-eat tray loaded with cavatappi pasta, Costco's famous rotisserie chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce, and Kirkland Signature bacon crumbles. The pasta dish originally debuted in June 2025, just in time for summer cookouts. It made its 2026 return in March.

The pasta is arguably one of the best new (and returning) Costco Kirkland Signature items of 2026 so far. "I liked it. Surprisingly, [it] wasn't too heavy. Definitely benefited from some hot sauce and chopped green onions on top," one Reddit user writes. My husband added extra barbecue sauce ... I thought it was absolutely perfect right out of the oven. So cheesy," adds an Instagram reviewer.

Costco's Kirkland Signature BBQ chicken mac and cheese with bacon provides six servings. Cost varies, but the hearty dish is typically priced between $4.49 and $5.10 per pound (each package weighs about 4 pounds). A single serving contains 700 calories, 43 grams of fat, 40 grams of carbs, 1,370 milligrams of sodium, 3 grams of sugar, and 37 grams of protein.

Despite the product's success, some Costco shoppers balked at the nutrition information. "It looks delicious, but that's a lot of sodium in one serving," one Instagram commenter states. "Uses the rotisserie chicken, which is filled with B.S. preservatives and who knows what else," adds another. Other complaints targeted the dish's price and its reliance on copious amounts of chewy bacon. Then there's the Redditor who'd prefer not to browse this section of Costco's deli at all, writing, "I wish they would just stop already with these overpriced, precooked meals that are average at best."

Still, the dish has its share of positive feedback. It takes about 45 minutes to bake this Costco comfort food to gooey perfection. You can keep it covered for most of the time, then uncover the mac to brown the top at the end. Serve it with coleslaw, corn, salad, or cooked veggies to cut through the pasta's richness. Alternatively, go the opposite route with classic cookout proteins like smoked brisket, saucy ribs, or steak.