Costco Pizza Calories: Nutrition Facts and Tips for Healthier Choices

Costco pizza calories are something many people wonder about when grabbing a quick, tasty slice at the Costco food court. Those giant, cheesy slices are hard to resist, especially when they’re so affordable at just $1.99 per slice or $9.95 for a whole 18-inch pizza. But how many calories are in each slice, and how can you enjoy Costco pizza without derailing your health goals? In this guide, we’ll break down the calories, nutrition facts, and tips for balancing indulgence with mindful eating. Whether you love cheese, pepperoni, or combo pizza, we’ve got you covered with simple facts and practical advice.

Why Costco Pizza Calories Matter

When you’re at Costco, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of bulk shopping and the smell of fresh pizza from the food court. However, understanding Costco pizza calories can help you make smarter choices. A single slice can pack a big punch in terms of calories, sodium, and fat, which might surprise you. For example, a slice of Costco cheese pizza has about 710 calories, while a pepperoni slice has around 650 calories. These numbers can add up fast, especially if you grab more than one slice or pair it with a soda.

Knowing the calorie count helps you plan your meals better. For instance, if you’re aiming for a 2,000-calorie daily diet, one slice of Costco pizza could take up 35% of your day’s calories. That’s why it’s important to learn about the nutrition facts and find ways to enjoy this treat without overdoing it.

Breaking Down Costco Pizza Calories by Type

Costco offers three main types of pizza at their food court: cheese, pepperoni, and combo. Each type has a different calorie count and nutritional profile. Let’s dive into the details for each one.

Cheese Pizza: Costco Pizza Calories and Nutrition

A slice of Costco cheese pizza weighs about 9.5 ounces and contains around 710 calories. This classic pizza is loaded with mozzarella and provolone cheese, giving it a gooey, satisfying texture. Here’s a quick breakdown of its nutrition:

• Calories: 710 per slice
• Carbohydrates: 70 grams (43% of calories)
• Fat: 28 grams (36% of calories)
• Protein: 44 grams (21% of calories)
• Sodium: 1,780 milligrams
• Fiber: 3 grams

The high protein content (44 grams) makes this slice filling, but the sodium is quite high, covering about 76% of the daily recommended limit. If you’re watching your sodium intake, you might want to enjoy this pizza sparingly.

Pepperoni Pizza: A Closer Look at Costco Pizza Calories

A pepperoni pizza slice is slightly smaller, at about 8.6 ounces, and has approximately 650 calories. The pepperoni adds a savory kick, but it also changes the nutritional balance. Here’s what you get:

• Calories: 650 per slice
• Carbohydrates: 70 grams (43% of calories)
• Fat: 24 grams (35% of calories)
• Protein: 34 grams (22% of calories)
• Sodium: 1,290 milligrams
• Fiber: 3 grams

Interestingly, the pepperoni slice has fewer calories than the cheese slice, likely because it uses less cheese to make room for the pepperoni. However, it’s still calorie-dense and high in sodium.

Combo Pizza: Costco Pizza Calories with Extra Toppings

The combo pizza, loaded with pepperoni, sausage, green peppers, mushrooms, black olives, and red onions, has about 760 calories per slice. This hearty option is a meal in itself. Here’s the breakdown:

• Calories: 760 per slice
• Carbohydrates: 72 grams (41% of calories)
• Fat: 32 grams (38% of calories)
• Protein: 36 grams (21% of calories)
• Sodium: 1,500 milligrams
• Fiber: 7 grams

The combo pizza offers more fiber thanks to the veggie toppings, but it’s the highest in calories and fat. If you love variety, this slice gives you a lot of flavors, but it’s best enjoyed in moderation.

Costco Pizza Calories: Frozen Pizza Options

Costco also sells frozen pizzas under their Kirkland Signature brand, which you can bake at home. These are great for quick meals or parties, but their calorie counts differ from food court pizzas. Here’s a look at the frozen options:

• Cheese Pizza: 310 calories per slice (1/8 of a pizza)
• Pepperoni Pizza: 400 calories per slice
• Margherita Pizza: 260 calories per slice
• Cauliflower Crust Pizza: 310 calories per serving (1/4 of a pizza)

The frozen pizzas are lighter in calories because they’re smaller and use different crusts or toppings. For example, the Margherita pizza has a thin crust and lighter toppings like tomatoes and basil, making it a lower-calorie choice. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, the cauliflower crust pizza is a great pick, though it’s still 310 calories per serving.

Comparing Costco Pizza Calories to Other Fast Food

To put Costco pizza calories in perspective, let’s compare them to other popular fast-food pizzas. Costco slices are much larger than typical pizza slices, so the calorie counts reflect that. Here’s a quick comparison:

Pizza Type	Calories per Slice	Slice Size	Protein (g)	Sodium (mg)
Costco Cheese Pizza	710	9.5 oz	44	1,780
Costco Pepperoni Pizza	650	8.6 oz	34	1,290
Costco Combo Pizza	760	9.5 oz	36	1,500
Domino’s Cheese (Large)	270	4 oz	10	670
Pizza Hut Pepperoni (Large)	300	4 oz	12	780

As you can see, Costco’s slices are nearly double the size of Domino’s or Pizza Hut slices, which explains the higher calorie count. However, they also offer more protein, making them more filling. If you’re comparing, keep in mind that one Costco slice is like eating two slices from another chain.

Real-Life Example: A Day with Costco Pizza

Let’s imagine a typical Saturday at Costco. Sarah, a busy mom, takes her kids shopping and stops at the food court for lunch. She grabs a slice of pepperoni pizza (650 calories) and a soda (200 calories). Her total meal is 850 calories, which is about 40% of her daily 2,000-calorie goal. Later, she feels sluggish and realizes she didn’t balance her meal with lighter options.

Instead, Sarah could pair her pizza with a side salad (100 calories) and water (0 calories) to keep her meal under 800 calories. By sharing a slice with her kids or saving half for later, she could cut her calorie intake even more. This small change helps her enjoy Costco pizza without feeling guilty.

Case Study: Balancing Costco Pizza Calories

Meet Jake, a college student who loves Costco pizza but wants to stay fit. Jake is active and follows a 2,500-calorie diet. He often grabs a combo pizza slice (760 calories) after a Costco run. To balance it, Jake plans his other meals carefully. For breakfast, he has oatmeal with fruit (300 calories), and for dinner, he eats grilled chicken with veggies (500 calories). This leaves him enough calories for his pizza and a small snack.

Jake also uses a trick: he blots the oil from his pizza with a napkin, which can save 30–50 calories per slice. By pairing his pizza with water and walking an extra 20 minutes that day, Jake burns off some of the calories and feels great. His strategy shows that you can enjoy Costco pizza calories as part of a balanced diet with a little planning.

Tips to Enjoy Costco Pizza Without Guilt

If you love Costco pizza but want to keep your diet in check, here are some easy tips:

1. Share a Slice: Costco slices are huge, so split one with a friend to cut calories in half.
2. Pair with a Salad: Add a Costco Caesar salad (650 calories without dressing) for more fiber and nutrients.
3. Blot the Oil: Use a napkin to soak up extra grease, saving 30–50 calories per slice.
4. Choose Water: Skip the soda and drink water to avoid extra calories.
5. Limit Frequency: Enjoy Costco pizza once a week instead of daily to keep calories in check.
6. Reheat Smart: If you take pizza home, reheat it in an oven or air fryer at 375°F for 5–7 minutes to keep the crust crispy.

These tips make it easy to enjoy Costco pizza while staying mindful of your health goals.

Health Considerations for Costco Pizza Calories

While Costco pizza is delicious, it’s important to think about its impact on your health. The high sodium content (1,290–1,780 mg per slice) can add up quickly, especially if you have high blood pressure or heart concerns. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day, so one slice could take up over half of that.

Additionally, the high fat and carbohydrate content might not fit into low-carb or low-fat diets. For example, a slice has 70–72 grams of carbs, which could be too much for someone on a keto diet. However, the protein (34–44 grams per slice) is a plus for those looking to build muscle or stay full longer.

If you’re watching your diet, consider eating Costco pizza as an occasional treat rather than a regular meal. Pairing it with healthier sides and staying active can help balance things out.

Making Costco-Style Pizza at Home

If you want the Costco pizza taste with fewer calories, try making a healthier version at home. Here’s a simple recipe for a Costco-style cheese pizza with better nutrition:

Homemade Costco-Style Cheese Pizza Recipe

Ingredients (for an 18-inch pizza, 8 slices):

• 2 cups whole wheat flour (for more fiber)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup warm water (105–110°F)
• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup low-sodium marinara sauce
• 1.5 cups part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Mix warm water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
3. Cover and let the dough rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
4. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
5. Roll out the dough into an 18-inch circle and place it on a pizza pan.
6. Spread marinara sauce evenly, then sprinkle on mozzarella and Parmesan.
7. Bake for 15–20 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
8. Let cool for 3–5 minutes, then slice into 8 pieces.

Each slice of this homemade pizza has about 400 calories, much lower than Costco’s 710 calories for a cheese slice. You can also use turkey pepperoni or add veggies to make it even healthier.

For more pizza recipes, check out Optimal Recipes for tips on reducing calories while keeping the flavor.

FAQs About Costco Pizza Calories

How many calories are in a Costco pizza slice?

A Costco cheese pizza slice has about 710 calories, a pepperoni slice has 650 calories, and a combo slice has 760 calories.

Is Costco pizza healthy?

Costco pizza is high in calories, sodium, and fat, so it’s not the healthiest choice. However, it’s okay as an occasional treat if balanced with lighter meals.

Can I reduce Costco pizza calories?

Yes! Blot the oil with a napkin, share a slice, or pair it with a salad and water to lower the calorie impact.

Are there lower-calorie options at Costco’s food court?

Yes, the berry smoothie (240 calories) or Caesar salad without dressing (650 calories) are lighter choices compared to pizza.

How does Costco pizza compare to other fast-food pizzas?

Costco slices are larger, so they have more calories (650–760) than Domino’s (270–300) or Pizza Hut (300) slices, but they’re also more filling.

Conclusion

Costco pizza calories can be a big part of your daily diet, with slices ranging from 650 to 760 calories. While these giant, cheesy slices are a tasty and affordable treat, they’re also high in sodium and fat. By understanding the nutrition facts, using tricks like blotting oil, and pairing pizza with healthier sides, you can enjoy Costco pizza without guilt. Whether you’re grabbing a slice at the food court or making a lighter version at home, a little planning goes a long way. So, next time you’re at Costco, savor that pizza, but keep these tips in mind to stay on track with your health goals.

For more nutrition info, visit Costco’s official website or check out FatSecret for detailed breakdowns.