There is also a competitive multiplayer option, requiring the chefs to score the most points in a limited time. Overcooked was designed as a local cooperative experience for up to four players. There are about 28 different kitchens in the game's campaign along with a final boss level. Yet another kitchen is set upon an iceberg, requiring players to make more careful movements lest they fall off, or a level where kitchens move around. Another kitchen is set on the back of two trucks traveling at different paces down a road, making switching from one half of the kitchen to the other not always possible. There also may be other obstacles or challenges, such as a kitchen separated by a pedestrian crosswalk, with the pedestrians potentially getting in the chef's way. Stations for ingredients, preparation areas, stoves and ovens, serving windows, and dishes are generally all separated across the kitchen, requiring time to move between them.

The cooking aspect is made difficult by the layouts of the kitchen, which change each level. The players are ranked on a 3-star system based on how many coins they got. The goal is to collect as many coins as possible within the time limit. Completing each order correctly earns coins, with bonuses for speed, while orders that are improperly served do not earn any points but only waste time. Most often, multiple orders of different types or varieties of meals will be presented in a queue, thus requiring the chefs to work together to effectively complete the orders. The chefs work together to complete that meal in time. During a round, the players are presented with an order which must be completed within a short time window.

Players in Overcooked take on the role of chefs in a kitchen, preparing meals via preparation of ingredients, cooking, serving, and cleaning up all while under a time limit to complete as many dishes as possible.

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