There's A Staggering Amount Of Cheese In Costco's Food Court Pizza

Since the early 1980s, Costco members have been able to enjoy a post-shopping treat at the food court. In its earliest days, the offerings were limited to a hot dog — sold for $1.50 along with a soda, a low price that hasn't changed thanks to how Costco sources its signature beef frank. Nowadays, Costco's food court has expanded far beyond the original humble hot dog cart. Shoppers can conclude their trip to the store with an array of tasty treats, including a cold brew mocha freeze, a turkey Swiss sandwich, and a large cheese or pepperoni pizza.

While it doesn't have quite the same cult following as the hot dog combo, Costco's pizza rivals those made by major pizza chains in terms of quality, value, and, most notably, cheesiness. At just $9.95 plus tax, each Costco pie is 18 inches in diameter — bigger than the extra-large sold by Domino's and similar pizzerias. From six large slices to 18 slivers — ideal for a kid's birthday party – the huge Costco pizza generally comes with 12 slices but can be cut into various numbers of pieces based on your request. One of its biggest selling points, though? The staggering amount of cheese melted onto each pie. With 1 ½ pounds of the irresistible shredded stuff, Costco's food court sells one of the cheesiest pizzas imaginable. No wonder it's so good.

As the 14th largest pizza chain in the U.S. Costco has clearly nailed down its popular pizza recipes. The star of the show? A whopping 24 ounces — or 1 ½ pounds — of the company's signature cheese blend, consisting of shredded mozzarella and provolone, with parmesan as a topping. Mozzarella is a staple cheese on pizzas thanks to its classic milky, slightly tangy taste. Depending on its age, provolone can vary from sweet to sharp, with more mature varieties tending toward a stronger smokiness. Finally, parmesan is also a fairly sharp cheese but is better known for its nutty taste, delivering a deep umami flavor. Together, these three kinds of cheese nicely complement each other along with Costco's pizza sauce and dough.

Is over a pound of cheese too much on an 18-inch pizza, though? Fans of the simple Margherita pizza would probably say yes, but anyone who loves an extra-cheesy pie won't mind. When sold by the massive $1.99 slice (equivalent to two slices from a whole pie), Costco's cheese pizza boasts 41 grams of protein, 27 grams of fat, and 78 grams of carbohydrates. Naturally, you'll be left feeling full after just a piece or two, ensuring that each pizza goes far in your household. Not keen on so much cheese? The pepperoni pie has less cheese in order to accommodate its additional toppings: A standard 60 pieces of pepperoni. But no matter which type you order, the rich, creamy taste and iconic cheese are part of every Costco pizza.

Whether you've just emerged from the warehouse's maze of aisles or are simply craving a Costco pizza, there are some strategies for ordering one to get the tastiest pie possible. While you can order any food court item at the counter or one of the kiosks, there may be a more convenient way. If you're looking to save time, you can call the food court at your Costco warehouse directly to place an order over the phone. This is ideal for anyone who wants to avoid waiting around after a tiring shopping trip or is only stopping at Costco for one thing: Pizza.

Additionally, if you plan on taking your pizza to go instead of scarfing down a slice at one of the food court's red-and-white picnic tables, ask Costco food court employees to leave it uncut. This hack helps prevent your pizza's crust from getting soggy while you make the journey home. When sliced, the oil from the pizza's cheese can ooze into the cracks, leaving you with a soft, moist crust instead of a crispy one. Since Costco pizza has so much cheese, keeping its integrity intact (and the grease better contained) until you slice it yourself will result in a more enjoyable meal. Plus, an uncut pizza stays hotter, so you won't have to pop it back into the oven before eating. While you'll have to practice restraint and avoid tearing into it on the drive home, the mouth-watering, extra-cheesy pie will taste even better with a little patience.