Really dumb question about oven cooking

I'm embarrassed to even ask, but if I don't ask, I won't know, right??

So I'm cooking for thanksgiving. First time making pretty much the whole meal. A few dishes in addition to the turkey need to be cooked in the oven.

Um, how does that work? I don't have all my recipes yet, but say some need to be cooked at 350 and some at 400 or whatever. You can't cook them at the same time, right? So do you make one dish, take out, make the next, and so on, then just re-heat before you sit for dinner??? Seems like that would take FOREVER. Especially since the turkey needs to be cooked too and I feel like that takes up the whole oven!

So how do you do it? Do you cook all the "smaller"dishes at once? And the turkey separate? Please help this T-day virgin!!!

Re: Really dumb question about oven cooking

SOme things you can make a few days before and then just reheat it.

Re: Really dumb question about oven cooking

You can always get something like this...



I feel like I cook everything at around 325.... so it's usually not a problem.

You can try to adjust your racks in the oven so that you can fit your turkey on one and the smaller dishes on another.


Last year we just did a turkey breast rolled around stuffing, string bean casserole, and baked macaroni and cheese - and they all cooked at 325.

For you, the creamed spinach and mashed potatoes won't need the oven - so don't worry about those!

Message edited 11/13/2009 3:39:10 PM.

Re: Really dumb question about oven cooking

Also, once you finalize your menu - we can try to make a cooking plan!

Re: Really dumb question about oven cooking