Learn how to make the ultimate comfort food—funeral potatoes. This recipe uses classic ingredients to create a rich, creamy casserole that is perfect for any occasion. This side dish has its peculiar name because it is very common at after-funeral luncheons.
Funeral potatoes are so easy to fix, virtually foolproof, and easy on the pocketbook, and people love them. This recipe serves at least ten people, so it is a real crowd-pleaser and perfect for family gatherings at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
You are going to love these cheesy potatoes. Leftovers heat up perfectly in the microwave. I like to serve the leftovers mixed with sausage crumbles and topped with eggs over easy. It just does not get much better than that! If you like this recipe, try twice-baked potato casserole, loaded baked potatoes, smashed potatoes, and scalloped potatoes.
What are Funeral Potatoes?
Funeral potatoes, also known as cheesy potato casserole, are a frozen hash brown potato casserole that combines onion, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, cheddar cheese, and Monterey Jack Cheese with a crunchy cornflake topping.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Butter: salted or unsalted. Adjust the amount of added salt
- Onion: preferably sweet yellow
- Sour cream: full fat is best
- Cream of chicken soup: or cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup
- Cheese: any white, sharp, or mild cheddar and Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or Pepper Jack
- Corn flakes: or crushed potato chips or Ritz crackers
How to make Funeral Potatoes
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Start by cooking the chopped onion in a skillet with a bit of butter for about 5 minutes. Combine the hash brown potatoes, onion, melted butter, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, sea salt, fresh ground black pepper, cheddar cheese, and Monterey Jack cheese in a large bowl.
Spread the mixture out in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Crush some cornflakes and combine those with a little melted butter. Sprinkle that over the top and bake for about 45 minutes.
Preparation Tips
- Take the frozen hash browns out of the freezer and let them sit on the counter for about 1 hour before starting this recipe. This gives them time to thaw so the mixture does not freeze into one big glob.
- If you are pressed for time, you do not have to saute the onion, but it adds more depth and flavor and is well worth the extra 5 minutes.
- This recipe calls for frozen hash brown potatoes, but any frozen or parboiled potato will work. Shredded hash browns are a family favorite.
- Substitute cream of mushroom soup or celery soup for the cream of chicken soup.
- Do not use low-fat sour cream or cheese for best results, as they don’t taste as good with the casserole.
How to Prepare Funeral Potatoes Ahead of Time
You can assemble this casserole up to 24 hours in advance and store it covered in the pan in the refrigerator. Remove it from the fridge 40 minutes before baking to bring it to room temperature. Reserve mixing the cornflakes with butter until just before popping them in the oven.
Recipe Variations
- For the complete meal: add diced ham, sausage crumbles, or crispy cooked chopped bacon.
- Experiment with different cheeses: try Smoked Gouda, Pepperjack, Muenster, colbyjack, Provolone, Fontina, or Swiss.
- Veg it out: add steamed broccoli, sauteed mushrooms, pickled jalapenos, or blanched green beans.
- Top it – with potato chips, onion straws, bread crumbs, or crushed Ritz crackers.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave at 70% power for 2-3 minutes.
Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ medium onion finely chopped
- 32 ounces frozen hash brown potatoes thawed for 30-40 minutes
- ½ cup butter melted
- 16 ounces sour cream
- 1 can 10.5 ounce cream of chicken soup
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 ¼ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 ¼ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 2 cup crushed corn flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish.
- Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until tender, approximately 5 minutes
- In a large bowl, stir together hash brown potatoes, onion, 1/2 cup melted butter, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cheddar, and Monterey jack. Spoon into prepared dish.
- Stir together 1/4 cup melted butter and crushed cornflakes. Sprinkle over the potatoes. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
Notes
- Take the frozen hash browns out of the freezer and let them sit on the counter for about 1 hour before starting this recipe. This gives them time to thaw so the mixture does not freeze into one big glob.
- If you are pressed for time, you do not have to saute the onion, but it adds more depth and flavor and is well worth the extra 5 minutes.
- This recipe calls for frozen hash brown potatoes, but any frozen or parboiled potato will work. Shredded hash browns are a family favorite.
- Substitute cream of mushroom soup or celery soup for the cream of chicken soup.
- Do not use low-fat sour cream or cheese for best results, as they don’t taste as good with the casserole.
Nutrition
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Celebrate Woman Today
Lots of recipes with potatoes. Imagination is the limit. The recipe is great. I just do not like the name for this recipe.
Beth Pierce
They also refer to them as cheesey potatoes.
Sue
These Funeral Potatoes sound like a comforting and flavorful dish! The combination of ingredients and that crunchy cornflake topping is making my mouth water. It’s interesting to learn about the origin of their name and how they are often served at after-funeral luncheons. Despite their somber beginnings, it’s heartwarming to see how they’ve become a beloved crowd-pleaser for various family gatherings. A versatile recipe that’s sure to bring people together over delicious food!
Beth Pierce
So true!
Lisa
We love these potatoes. They are the best and we love to eat them with your grilled chicken recipe!
Monique
Your recipe for funeral potatoes is a true gem! The step-by-step instructions and mouthwatering description have me excited to try this comforting dish. Your friendly tone and detailed guidance make cooking it a delightful adventure.
Catalina
My kids go crazy ove everything potatoes! They love this funeral potatoes casserole! It is delicious!
Erin
Always a hit on our table! We love these potatoes!
jupiter hadley
The name of this potato dish really caught my eye, but it does indeed sound cheesy and delicious. Thank you for sharign this recipe.
Yeah LIfestyle
My kids love anything with cheese in it so I knew they would love it! Thanks for the recipe
Rosey
That is wonderful that you can make it with frozen potatoes. Makes it easier. It looks tasty.
Lavanda Michelle
These were so delicious and filling. Thanks for sharing! I will definitely make these again!
Risa Lopez
That sounds new to me. I would love to try it. thanks for the recipe. The food looks good!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Risa! Enjoy!!
Melanie williams
This was a delicious and easy recipe. I served it with some ham steak and the whole family enjoyed it.
Melanie E
I’d not heard of funeral potatoes before. That does sound like a great recipe to try even without a funeral.
Tammy
Such an odd name and unfortunate background to the title but the recipe looks so good! I think we need to rename these 😀 I love a good cheesy side so I’ll def be trying soon!
Sandra
I’ve heard about these but I’ve never actually had them but they sound and look very delicious.
Samantha Donnelly
I have never heard of funeral potatoes before! They were really yummy! The whole family enjoyed them.