can i assemble all the ingreidents, put in fridege, and bake it later in day? i am worried about the raw meat, will it kill bacteria when it cooks for 3 hours?

Hi Brenda,

It will be safe as long as you keep the meat below 40°F while refrigerated (don't let it reach room temperature while you assemble) and make sure that the cooking temperature reaches a temperature above 140°F within 15-20 minutes. Meat can be cooked safely at any temperature above approximately 240°F.

This will probably be ready in less time than 3 hours if only 2 lbs; I would reduce it to 250°F after 1 hour.

-- CM