Funeral Potatoes

The Best Funeral Potato recipe is a delicious way to make a cheesy potato casserole that your whole family will love!

Table of Contents

Why We Love Funeral Potatoes
Funeral Potatoes Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make The Best Funeral Potatoes
How To Serve Funeral Potatoes
How To Store Funeral Potatoes
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The best Funeral Potatoes are a mainstay in some circles. If you're familiar with the Mormon church (where they're also called Utah potato casserole), you might already know about them.

Why We Love Funeral Potatoes

If you're not aware of them -- don't ever let a recipe name spoil your appetite. The Best Funeral Potatoes is actually just a cheesy potato casserole.

They are so delicious that you'll want to devour the whole entire casserole yourself. The recipe calls for things like butter, onion, sour cream, and cheese.

You can cook it from scratch with no soup or use homemade soups or make a quick version with canned cream of mushroom soup.

You can even top them with potato chips or Doritos. They are so versatile!

Funeral Potatoes Ingredients

Funeral Potatoes raw ingredients that are labeled

Frozen hash browns -take out of the freezer at least 20 minutes prior to cooking
Yellow onion- chopped
Butter
Salt
Garlic powder
Ground black pepper
Sour cream
Shredded cheddar cheese
Cream of chicken soup
Cornflakes- crushed

Substitutions And Additions

My current favorite is the recipe I’m sharing here, but it’s always fun to get adventurous in the kitchen and switch up recipe ingredients.

FROZEN HASH BROWNS: If you don't have frozen hash browns, you can substitute them with diced hash browns or tater tots.

Alternatively, you can boil, peel, and cube russet potatoes.

Just remember to boil them with their skins on to prevent them from becoming too watery.

YELLOW ONION: If you don't have a yellow onion, you can use a white onion or a red onion. They will give a slightly different flavor but will work just as well in the recipe.

SOUR CREAM: If you don't have sour cream, you can substitute it with plain Greek yogurt or plain almond milk. Keep in mind that this might alter the taste and texture of the dish.

SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE: You can substitute cheddar cheese with other types of cheese like Parmesan, Pepper Jack, American, Velveeta, cream cheese, or smoked gouda. Each type of cheese will give a unique flavor to the dish.

CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP: If you don't have the cream of chicken soup, you can use cream of mushroom soup, cream of potato soup, cream of celery soup, or cheese soup.

You can also make your own homemade cream of chicken soup if you have the time.

CORNFLAKES: If you don't have cornflakes, you can substitute them with crushed fried onions, potato chips, seasoned bread crumbs, crushed saltine crackers, Cheez-It crackers, or panko.

These will give a different crunch to the topping of the dish.

ADDITIONS: You can add mushrooms, green or red peppers, freshly minced garlic, green chilies, and corn to the dish for extra flavor and texture.

I could say Funeral Potatoes by any other name would sound a lot better! I discovered funeral potatoes do go by other names, too, including potatoes delicious, cheesy potatoes, church potatoes, and (my favorite) party potatoes.

Whatever you call them, this creamy, cheesy potato casserole is a wonderful comfort food; you don’t have to wait for funerals to eat them.

The Best Funeral Potatoes are also enjoyed at potlucks, graduation parties, and family reunions. And this particular recipe has become a highly requested dish at our house.

How To Make The Best Funeral Potatoes

STEP ONE: Add 1 tablespoon of butter to a medium-sized skillet. On medium-high heat, cook your onions until they are soft. Usually, this takes approximately 5 minutes.

Onion Cooking: When cooking the onions, make sure they are soft but not browned. This will give the dish a sweet, mellow onion flavor without any bitterness.

melted butter and onions cooked in a skillet

STEP TWO: Combine your hash browns, salt, black pepper, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, and your cooked onion all together in a large bowl.

Stir all of the ingredients together until they are mixed well.

hash browns, salt, black pepper, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, and cooked onion combined in a bowl

STEP THREE: Preheat your oven to 375°F and pour your potato mixture into a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Bake your casserole in the oven for 30 minutes.

STEP FOUR: After 30 minutes, take out the casserole and stir it well. Put the casserole back in the oven and continue to cook until it’s bubbling on the sides and in the middle (typically about 20 to 30 minutes).

When you see the casserole beginning to bubble in the middle, it’s done.

STEP FIVE: Take the casserole out of the oven and sprinkle your crushed cornflakes on top, spreading them evenly over the entire casserole.

Place it back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes, watching closely to make sure the top doesn’t overcook.

crushed cornflakes sprinkled on top of the potato casserole

Fresh Herbs: Consider adding fresh herbs like chives or parsley to the dish just before serving. This will add a pop of color and a fresh flavor that can help balance the richness of the dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are they called Funeral Potatoes?

The name for funeral potatoes comes from their popularity being served as an after-funeral side dish at lunch gatherings. The cheesy, warm dish was comfort food that became a funeral meal staple.

But, while funerals may have been their origin, these potatoes have become a great side dish at just about any gathering, such as family dinners and other special events now.

Can I add meat to this recipe?

Yes, for added protein, consider adding bacon bits, ham, ground beef, sirloin, chicken chunks, turkey, or little smokies to the dish.

Can I make a vegan version of this dish?

Yes, to make a vegan version, you can use vegan cheese and a dairy-free cream alternative. Also, make sure to use a vegan-friendly soup or make your own using vegetable broth.

How To Serve Funeral Potatoes

As a potluck contribution, funeral potatoes are a crowd-pleaser, making them an excellent choice for potlucks or family gatherings.

They're easy to transport and can be warmed up at the event, ensuring they're enjoyed at their best.

However, this funeral potato casserole is also a versatile side dish that can be paired with a wide range of main dishes.

With Baked Ham: Funeral potatoes pair well with baked ham, as the creamy and cheesy flavors of the potatoes provide a nice contrast to the savory ham.

With Roast Chicken or Turkey: Funeral potatoes can be a delicious accompaniment to roasted chicken or turkey. The richness of the potatoes balances out the flavors of the roasted poultry.

With Meatloaf: Serving funeral potatoes alongside meatloaf creates a comforting and satisfying meal. The creamy potatoes can be a perfect match for the hearty flavors of the meatloaf.

With Grilled Steak: Funeral potatoes can also be served with grilled steak. The cheesy and creamy potatoes create a tasty combination with the juicy and flavorful steak.

With Roasted Vegetables: For a vegetarian option, funeral potatoes can be served with roasted vegetables. The potatoes provide a creamy and filling element that complements the roasted flavors of the vegetables.

How To Store Funeral Potatoes

Whether you're planning to make it ahead, store leftovers in the fridge or even freeze it for later, here's what you need to know...

Make Ahead: This Funeral Potatoes recipe is a fantastic option for those busy days when you want a hearty meal without the fuss. You can prepare the dish up to the point of baking, then cover it tightly with aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator.

It's best to use it within 24 hours, but it can be kept for up to 2 days. When you're ready to enjoy it, simply pop it in the oven and bake as directed in the recipe.

In the Fridge: If you find yourself with leftovers (which is rare because it's so tasty), you can store them in the fridge. Place the Funeral Potatoes in an airtight container or cover the baking dish with plastic wrap. It will last for up to 3-4 days.

Remember, the fresher it is, the better it tastes!

In the Freezer: This recipe freezes beautifully! To freeze, let the Funeral Potatoes cool completely, then cover the dish tightly with both plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you're ready to serve it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it.

Reheating: To reheat the Funeral Potatoes, preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove any plastic wrap and replace the foil. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until it's heated through and the top is crispy.

If you're in a hurry, you can also reheat individual servings in the microwave. Just place a portion on a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or wrap, and heat for 2-3 minutes, or until hot.

Cheesy Funeral Potatoes are a hit at any meal or event. This adaptable dish, packed with flavor, can be customized to your liking. It's a comforting, cheesy treat that's not just for special occasions.

The recipe is flexible, allowing for various substitutions and additions to suit your taste. Whether you top it with potato chips or Doritos or use homemade soups or canned ones, the result is always a creamy, cheesy delight that your whole family will love.

Plus, it's easy to store and reheat, making it a convenient choice for busy days. So, dive in and enjoy the comforting goodness of Cheesy Funeral Potatoes today!

Best Funeral Potatoes

The Best Funeral Potato recipe is a delicious way to make a cheesy potato casserole that your whole family will love!

4.59 from 65 votes

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1 5

Total Time 1 15

Course Casserole, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 461 kcal

Ingredients

30 ounce traditional frozen hash browns , take out of the freezer 20 mins prior to cooking
½ large yellow onion, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups sour cream
2½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
3 cups of corn flakes, crushed

DIRECTIONS

In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter and cook your onion until soft (about 5 mins).
In a large mixing bowl, combine your hash browns, salt, black pepper, chives, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, and your cooked onion. Stir well. It may take some serious arm muscle to work this all together if your hash browns are still frozen but should mix easily if thawed.
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Put your potato mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish and cook in the oven for 30 minutes. Take out and stir the whole casserole well. Put back in the oven and continue to cook until it's bubbling on the sides and in the middle, about 20-30 more minutes, depending on your oven. Once it's bubbling in the middle you know it's done.
Take the casserole out of the oven and sprinkle your crushed corn flakes and add them on top of the casserole before putting it back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes.
Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

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Notes

f your hash browns are still frozen, mixing the ingredients together will take a bit of muscle. I recommend taking the hash browns out to thaw, as it will make this step much easier on the arms!
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your casserole as the suggested baking time approaches.
To crush your cornflakes evenly and quickly, try placing them in a Ziploc bag and rolling over them with a rolling pin.

Nutrition

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Funeral Potatoes (Cheesy Potato Casserole)

Why We Love Funeral Potatoes

Funeral Potatoes Ingredients

Substitutions And Additions