How do I time a big dinner so everything is ready together?

Start with the dish that takes longest, work backward from your dinner time using each recipe's prep and cooking times, and use the roast's resting time to bake sides.

What if two dishes need different oven temperatures?

Cook one ahead and rewarm it, move one to the stovetop, grill or air fryer, or adjust the time for a side cooked 25 degrees hotter or cooler.

Dinner Timing Planner

Cooking several dishes for one meal? Add them here, choose when you want to eat, and the planner works backward from each recipe's prep and cooking times into a schedule, so the turkey, the potatoes and the rolls are all ready at once. It also warns you when two dishes need the oven at different temperatures.

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Tips for a big meal

Large roasts rest 20 to 45 minutes before carving; that is the time to bake the stuffing and rolls in the freed-up oven.
Make sauces, cranberry relish, pies and mashed potatoes ahead, and reheat them.
One oven, two temperatures? Most casseroles and sides do fine at 25 degrees hotter or cooler for a few minutes more or less.
For full menus, see the Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve and Easter guides.

Frequently asked questions

How do I time a big dinner so everything is ready together?: Start with the dish that takes longest, work backward from your dinner time using each recipe's prep and cooking times, and use the roast's resting time to bake sides.
What if two dishes need different oven temperatures?: Cook one ahead and rewarm it, move one to the stovetop, grill or air fryer, or adjust the time for a side cooked 25 degrees hotter or cooler.

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