9. RIMMED BAKING SHEETS

These are the workhorses of the kitchen, indispensable for holidays and all days. The most commonly available and useful size is known as a half sheet, measuring 13-by-18 inches. You will use these for roasting vegetables, making cookies, broiling chicken, baking fish, you name it. The rimmed edge prevents drips over the side, which prevents the fire alarm from going off (very important). Buy heavy sheets — lighter ones can warp during cooking, especially at high heat or under the broiler.

10. PIE PLATES

Where there is Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, there will also be pie. With luck, it will be homemade (or at least semi-homemade — a pre-made crust can be unrolled or transferred into your pie plate. Shhh ...). A 9-inch pie plate is the most useful size. Metal works, but glass or ceramic tends to look prettier on the table.

11. STORAGE CONTAINERS

Some of us have a pretty serious fixation about storage containers. In a perfect world, you’ll have some “good” ones (for you alone to use and keep) and some that are up for grabs (bought to be packed with leftovers for your guests to take home). “Good” ones might be made of durable plastic or glass, should be stackable and dishwasher-safe, and have sturdy lids to keep things fresh. The take-away containers just have to seal up tightly, and then they are no longer yours to worry about.

Katie Workman has written two cookbooks focused on easy, family-friendly cooking, “Dinner Solved!” and “The Mom 100 Cookbook.” She blogs at http://www. themom100.com/about-katie-workman. She can be reached at Katie@themom100. com.