Cooking multiple pot pies in the oven is a great way to prepare a quick and easy dinner for your family or to have leftovers for later in the week. With some strategic planning, you can easily bake several pot pies at once. Here are some tips for successfully cooking multiple pot pies in your oven.
Position the pot pies strategically
When baking more than one pot pie, you’ll need to position them carefully in the oven so they cook evenly. Here are some recommendations:
- Stagger the pot pies on different racks. Place one pie on the middle rack and another on the top or bottom rack.
- Leave at least 2 inches between the edge of the pies so air can circulate around them.
- If baking more than two pies, use a combination of rack positions. You can cook up to 4 pot pies in a standard oven this way.
Staggering the pot pies helps prevent them from cooking unevenly. The pies placed higher in the oven may cook faster, so be sure to rotate the pans midway during baking.
Use oven-safe cookware
When baking multiple pot pies, choose oven-safe pans and dishes. Recommended options include:
- Ceramic pie dishes
- Glass baking dishes
- Metal pie tins
- Foil baking pans
Avoid any plastic containers or materials that could melt at high temperatures. Glass, ceramic, foil, and metal pans conduct heat well for even cooking results.
Adjust cook times
Cooking several pies at once often requires a longer cook time than just one. Here are some general guidelines for adjusting bake times when making multiple pot pies:
- 2 pies: Increase cook time by about 5 minutes
- 3 pies: Increase cook time by about 10 minutes
- 4 pies: Increase cook time by 15-20 minutes
Be sure to check the pies towards the end of the recommended bake time. If the crust or filling seems underdone, continue cooking for 5-10 more minutes until the pies are fully set.
Use a foil tent if needed
To prevent the pie crusts from getting too brown before the filling is cooked through, you can cover the pies loosely with foil.
Tent a large sheet of foil over the pies, taking care not to touch or weigh down the crusts. This creates a loose barrier to prevent over-browning.
Check the pies halfway through bake time and remove the foil if the crusts aren’t browning. You can reuse the same foil sheet to cover again if needed towards the end of baking.
Let the pies cool and set
Lifting hot pot pies out of the oven can cause spillovers or damage the delicate crust. Allow the fully baked pies to cool and set before removing from the oven.
Here are some tips for safely cooling multiple pot pies after baking:
- Turn off the oven and crack the door open slightly. This allows the trapped oven heat to gradually escape.
- Let the pies stand in the cooling oven for about 45 minutes.
- Transfer the pies to a wire rack to finish cooling. This prevents soggy bottom crust.
- Wait until the pies are close to room temperature before cutting to serve.
Check for doneness
With multiple pies cooking at once, be sure to check each one for doneness when cooking time is up. Signs to look for include:
- Golden brown crust
- Bubbling filling
- Filling that jiggles slightly when gently shaken
- Internal temperature of 165°F
If any of the pies need more time, return them to the oven for 5-10 minutes until fully cooked through.
Storage
Having leftovers is one of the benefits of baking multiple pot pies at once! Here are some tips for storing cooked pot pies:
- Allow pies to cool completely before storing.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil.
- Refrigerate for 3-4 days.
- Reheat individual portions in a 375°F oven until hot, about 15 minutes.
- Freeze baked pot pies for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
With proper storage in the fridge or freezer, baked pot pies will keep well so you can enjoy the leftovers.
Tips for Baking Multiple Pot Pies
Follow these handy tips for successfully baking several pot pies at once:
| Tip | Result |
|---|---|
| Stagger pies on different racks | Promotes even baking |
| Increase cook time | Ensures filling is fully cooked |
| Use a foil tent if needed | Prevents over-browning of crust |
| Let pies fully cool in turned-off oven | Avoids spills when removing |
| Check each pie for doneness | Confirms they are fully baked |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to bake multiple pot pies?
Baking time will depend on how many pies you are cooking. Plan to add 5-10 extra minutes per additional pie. So 2 pies may take 35-40 minutes, 3 pies around 45 minutes, and 4 pies 50-60 minutes. Check periodically for doneness.
Should I use glass or metal pans?
Both glass and metal pans conduct heat well and can be used for baking pot pies. Glass lets you see the bottom crust as it bakes. Metal pie tins are ideal for individual pies. Choose oven-safe pans that give you the visibility and results you prefer.
What temperature is best for baking pot pies?
Most pot pie recipes call for baking at 400-425°F. This high heat helps create a nicely browned crust. Baking at a slightly lower 375°F temperature may be better if you need to extend the bake time for multiple pies.
Can I freeze baked pot pies?
Yes, baked pot pies freeze very well. Allow them to cool completely first. Tightly wrap each pie in plastic wrap or foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to serve.
Should I cover the pies while baking?
You can use a foil tent to prevent over-browning if needed, but avoid sealing the pies completely or the steam will make the crust soggy. Check halfway through and remove foil if the tops are not browning enough.
Conclusion
Baking multiple pot pies at once is an easy way to make dinner for your family with delicious leftovers to enjoy later. Position the pies carefully, allow for extra cook time, and use foil tents as needed for the best results. Let the pies fully cool before removing from the oven and check that each one is fully cooked through. Follow proper storage methods and you can safely keep baked pot pies for several days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer. With these simple tips, you’ll be able to comfortably bake several pies at once and have individual servings ready to enjoy anytime.