Joel Lynch, Brendan Moloney and Matt Thornhill were the most senior players involved in the game for Forest, whose goals came from Mullen and Rodney and were scored past Rams keeper Stephen Bywater on his return from injury.
The real thing comes in just over a month's time when the City Ground hosts a post-Christmas cracker between the East Midlands rivals.
Elsewhere, former Forest youngster Felix Bastians could be set for a return to the English game. Now with Freiburg, the 22-year-old is the subject of reported interest from West Bromwich Albion.
Celtic are continuing to be linked with Kelvin Wilson as the January transfer window draws ever closer while striker Joe Garner, currently on loan at Huddersfield, looks unlikely to be making a permanent move in the new year after failing to find the target in 14 games for the Terriers.
"Joe's a striker and when you are a striker you are judged on goals, and he hasn't scored one yet," Town boss Lee Clark told BBC Radio Leeds.