Table of Contents
- Can you cook multiple things in the oven?
- The History of Oven
- A guide to cooking multiple things in the oven
- Can you cook two things in the oven at once?
- Dishes that you can cook simultaneously in the oven
- Related Question
- Conclusion
Can you cook multiple things in the oven?
It’s the end of the day and you’re exhausted. You’ve had a long day at work, your kids are home from school hungry, and you just want to sit down on the couch with a nice glass of wine.
What about cooking multiple things in the oven? Yes, it is doable. Cooking multiple things in one oven can be an easy way to cook dinner without wasting time cooking two separate meals!
This blog will share how to cook more than one item at once in your oven so that your family is getting more variety in their meal planning while saving time.
The History of Oven
Cooking in an oven has been around for centuries. The first ovens were made out of mud and bricks, and they were used to cook food over an open fire. As oven technology improved, the first electric ovens were introduced in the early 1900s. These ovens could cook multiple items at once, which made them a popular choice for families.
Nowadays, the oven is used to cook everything from meat to vegetables to desserts, and baking multiple items at once is the best way to do it.
A guide to cooking multiple things in the oven
Cooking multiple items in the oven can be a little tricky, but it’s definitely doable with a little bit of practice. The key is to make sure that all of your items are about the same size and thickness so that they cook evenly. Here are a few tips:
Preheat it
Preheat your oven to the same temperature before cooking all of your items. Preheating the oven will help them cook evenly and prevent them from sticking to the pan.
Line it
Line your baking dish with parchment paper or foil so that your food doesn’t stick. This will also make cleaning up a breeze!
Group it
If all of your items are about the same size, you can group them together in the same baking dish. This will help them cook evenly.
Place them properly
Make sure that all of your items are on the same shelf in the oven. If they are not, the items on the top shelf will cook faster than those on the bottom.
Timing it
It’s best to use an oven thermometer to make sure that your oven is at the right temperature. You can also set up a timer to remind you when your food should be done cooking.
Remember, cooking multiple things at once in the oven can be a great way to save time and get dinner on the table easily!
Know the cooking time
This is the most overlooked factor. You should have proper knowledge of how much time each dish takes to cook. So, If you’re cooking multiple items that require different cook times, start with the item that requires the longest cook time.
If you start with the longest cook time, you won’t have to worry about overcooking or undercooking any of your dishes.
Cook smaller items on separate racks
If all of your items are cooking at different speeds, use multiple racks in the oven. For example, if one item is larger than another and requires more time, place the smaller item on a higher rack so it gets more heat and cooks faster.
If you have a larger oven, you might be able to fit three items in at once. Otherwise, use two racks or cook one item at a time.
Keep an eye on it
Finally, place your items in the oven and bake them for the same amount of time. Be sure to keep an eye on them so that they don’t burn!
Ovens are great tools that allow us to multitask! By cooking multiple dishes at once, we can have a complete meal with very little effort. With a little practice, cooking multiple items at once in the oven will be easy and your family will love the variety!
Can you cook two things in the oven at once?
As you know one can cook multiple things in an oven, cooking two things in an oven is not a big deal. So yes, you can cook two things in the oven at once.
Let’s see what are dishes we can cook together.
Dishes that you can cook simultaneously in the oven
Potatoes and green beans
To cook potatoes and green beans together in the oven, first place them in a baking dish. Then, top them with green beans. Season both vegetables with salt and pepper, drizzle them with olive oil, and stir to coat evenly. Bake for 30 minutes so that the vegetables are cooked.
Spaghetti carbonara and breadsticks
To cook spaghetti carbonara and breadsticks together in the oven, first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Then, cook the spaghetti carbonara according to package instructions. While the spaghetti is cooking, bake the breadsticks in the oven for 10-12 minutes.
Chicken and potatoes
To cook chicken and potatoes together in the oven, first, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Then, cut potatoes into cubes and place them in a baking dish. Season the chicken with garlic salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning and place it on top of the potatoes. Bake for 50 minutes so that the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are crisp and browned.
Surprisingly enough, you don’t need to learn how to cook multiple things. It’s all easy if you know how to cook them separately in the oven!
Lasagna and garlic bread
To cook lasagna and garlic bread together in the oven, first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Then, cook the lasagna according to package instructions. While the lasagna is cooking, bake the garlic bread in the oven for 10-12 minutes.
Chicken and rice
This one is really popular! To cook chicken and rice together in the oven, first, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Then, cook the chicken breasts in a baking dish. Season them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In another baking dish, cook the rice according to package instructions. Once both dishes are cooked, serve them together!
Casserole and a vegetable
To cook a casserole and a vegetable side together in the oven, first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Then, place the vegetable side in a baking dish with 1/4 cup of water. Bake for 30 minutes so that it’s cooked. Place the casserole in another baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes so that it’s heated through.
Fish and veggies
To cook fish and veggies together in the oven, first, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Then, place the fish in a baking dish with 1/4 cup of water. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, basil leaves, and lemon juice. Bake for 15-20 minutes so that the fish is cooked. Place the veggies in a baking dish with 1/4 cup of water at the same time when you cook fish. It will take the same time (20 min) to make the vegetables tender and tasty.
Cake and brownies
To cook cake and brownies together in the oven, always start with preheating the oven. Then, place the brownies in a baking dish and bake for 10-12 minutes until they’re set. Place the cake in another baking dish and bake it for 30-35 minutes until it’s cooked through. Take out the brownies first and the cake later on. It will save you 12 minutes.
Pork chops and applesauce
To cook pork chops and applesauce together in the oven, first, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Place the applesauce in a baking dish with 1/4 cup of water and place it in the oven for 30 minutes while you’re cooking the pork chops. Cook the pork chops for an additional 20 min (total 50-60 min) until they are cooked through.
Related Question
Can cooking two or more things in the oven pose a hazard to the oven?
Yes, it can. If you’re cooking more than one thing at the time in the oven, make sure that they’re cooked through and done. Otherwise, your oven might get damaged. Moreover, if something overcooks or overflows, it’ll create a mess inside the oven.
What’s the main benefit of cooking multiple things in the oven?
If you’re cooking multiple things at the same time, it saves you approximately 40% of the total baking/cooking time. That leaves more time to do other things while your food is in the oven!
Does cooking multiple things in the oven save money?
Yes, cooking multiple things together can really be beneficial if you’re short on time. By simply combining those dishes together, you can save a lot of time and money!
Conclusion
In a nutshell, you can easily cook two or more things in an oven simultaneously. Just consider these few examples when trying to cook them. As you can see, it’s not difficult at all! Just be sure to follow the cooking times and temperatures for each dish, and everything will come out perfectly.
Enjoy!