Funeral potatoes are easy to make (just 5 minute prep!) using hash browns, sour cream, creamy soup, and shredded cheese, yum!
Funeral potato casserole (aka cheesy hashbrown casserole) is a family favorite and perfect for a quick weeknight side dish or for bringing to your next potluck. Fix them alongside apricot glazed ham or smoked chicken thighs.
Funeral Potatoes
Funeral Potatoes (Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole)
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Funeral Potato Ingredients
- Potato – We like to use a bag of frozen diced hash browns, thawed. Shredded hash browns will also work.
- Onion – Finely diced or minced.
- Sour cream – I like to use full fat for a super creamy texture.
- Cream of something soup – Any of the condensed ‘cream of’ soups will work.
- Milk – We prefer whole milk.
- Butter – Salted, melted.
- Spices – Salt & pepper.
- Cheese – Cheddar, shredded.
- Cornflakes – For topping. Make sure to use gluten-free corn flakes if making this as a gluten-free funeral potatoes recipe.
What are funeral potatoes?
Funeral potatoes are a cheesy hash brown potato casserole dish commonly served at funerals and potlucks in the Midwest United States, especially in Utah.
They are called funeral potatoes because they always seem to appear at funeral gatherings.
How do you make funeral potatoes? (step-by-step)
⭐ First, whisk together the sour cream, cream of soup, milk, butter, salt and pepper.
⭐ Then, combine hash browns, diced onion, cheese, and sour cream mixture. Spread evenly in a casserole dish.
⭐ Next, sprinkle the remaining cheese over top. Toss the crushed cornflakes with butter to coat and sprinkle over the cheese.
⭐ Finally, bake until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly.
Crockpot Funeral Potatoes
To fix these in the crock pot, whisk together the sour cream, cream of soup, milk, butter, salt and pepper. Then combine hash browns, diced onion, cheese, and sour cream mixture. Spread evenly into slow cooker.
Sprinkle remaining cheese over top and cover. Cook on low for 3 -5 hours or high for 2 – 3 hours. Top with cornflakes before servings.
Preparation
Can you make funeral potatoes ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep and assemble the dish about a day in advance and then bake right before you’re ready to serve.
What kind of cheese for funeral potatoes?
We love finely shredded cheddar cheese in this recipe, but it’s also good with a fiesta blend or pepper jack if you want to give it a kick of spice.
Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?
Yes, to use fresh potatoes shred or small cube them and soak for several minutes to release starch, then rinse well to reduce oxidization (discoloring). Add to recipe a and bake. For fresh potatoes, use the longer bake time.
Leftovers and storage
How long do funeral potatoes last?
Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 days. If the dish was left out at room temperature longer than 2 hours, leftovers should be discarded.
How do you reheat funeral potatoes?
You can reheat individual servings in the microwave at high power for 30 – 60 seconds, or on an oven safe dish in the toaster oven for about 7 minutes, until warmed through and top is crispy.
Can you freeze cheesy hashbrown casserole?
Yes, It’s best to freeze before baking. Assemble the casserole then wrap tightly with foil twice (or once with foil and once with plastic wrap).
To bake, unwrap frozen casserole and cover with one layer of foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake according to recipe directions. Alternately, you can thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as normal.
Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions
✅ Try different toppings – Instead of corn flakes, try using traditional bread crumbs, Ritz or club crackers, panko bread crumbs, or potato chips (skip the butter if you use chips).
✅ Add some heat by using a spicy cheese or by mixing in diced pickled jalapeno.
✅ Make it a full meal by mixing in 2 breasts worth of instant pot shredded chicken or easy baked chicken.
What to serve with funeral potatoes
We enjoy these at family and friend gatherings along with other mid-western favorites like baked chicken spaghetti, watergate salad, strawberry poke cake, and frito pie casserole.
More awesome potato recipes
- Roasted garlic potatoes
- Best potato salad recipe
- Sweet potato and sausage hash
- Roasted red potatoes
- Potato soup recipe
Other casseroles to try
- Cheesy chicken and rice casserole
- Tuna casserole
- Corn Casserole
- Tater tot casserole
- See all our yummy casserole recipes
Tools we love
- Casserole dish with lid – I love this dish because it can go from freezer to oven.
- Large spatula – No one wants a small portion of cheesy potatoes.
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How to Make Funeral Potatoes
Funeral Potatoes (Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole)
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen hashbrowns thawed, 32 ounces
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1 can condensed 'cream of' soup 10 ounces
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar divided
- 2 cups crushed cornflakes
- ¼ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Whisk together the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, milk, ½ cup melted butter, salt and pepper.
- Combine the thawed hashbrowns, diced onion, 2 cups of shredded cheddar and sour cream mixture.
- Spread evenly in a 9x13 casserole dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar evenly over the top.
- Toss the crushed cornflakes with the ¼ cup melted butter to coat, then sprinkle over the shredded cheddar.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 60 minutes, until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly.
Notes
Nutrition
Funeral Potatoes (Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole)
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Belle says
Type of hash browns depends. For layering in a casserole shredded. As part of a skillet or on a plate chunky only way to go.
Ronna GralitzerBrite says
Shredded Hash brown potatoes with Mexican Cheese
Chrystal says
I would add chicken to this dish and serve as a main course.
Davis Shellabarger says
We had this as my childhood meal many times. Then we just called it Potato casserole. But now, the general consensus is we call it Funeral potatoes since it is quick and provides a lot of dish for many people
Hollis Ramsey says
Grated Parmigiano Reggiano is the best cheese to top casseroles!
Charla says
These are a family favorite! We use shredded hash browns and of course Wisconsin shredded cheddar cheese for our cheesy potatoes! So good!
Pam says
I would add meat and serve it as a main course.
Pam says
I prefer shredded hash browns.
Sherry says
We prefer diced potatoes. They are so easy for many different add ins. We have them for any meal as a side. Love them as a main dish with meat add in with salad and crusty bread.
Renee Knaff says
I honestly never met a potato I didn’t like! Shredded hashrowns are really my favorite though. I’ve never tried this recipe with the cornflakes. I can’t wait to try it!
Bb says
This is the same recipe Iβve used for years. I prefer the diced potatoes vs. shredded and cheddar cheese. However, I switched the cornflakes for bread crumbs. Now Iβm hungry for this dish.
Carol G says
I prefer shredded hash browns over diced.
Lois Johnson says
When I make this I use crushed potato chips mixed with melted butter for the top
Nysha says
I love this casserole. I usually add ham to make it an entree for dinner.
CJ says
We use cheddar cheese in hash browns.
Diana Angel says
I absolutely prefer diced to shredded potatoes.
Stacy McSwain says
I prefer to use the diced hash brown versus a shredded. I just think it helps hold everything together. But either way it’s wonderful!
Denise Beatty says
Any version of this recipe is delicious! It is great for any holiday or party/picnic. Try using cream of onion soup instead of the normal cream of chicken or mushroom. It can be next to impossible to find in a grocery store, but you can buy it on Amazon.
Pamela Belcher says
I use cubed potatoes with a mix of mild and sharp cheddar. I like to serve marinated grilled chicken or pork chops along side this awesome dish.
Clarice Brackett says
I prefer cheddar cheese on this casserole.
Diane C Harrison says
Have always loved these potatoes. I have to make or enjoy someone else’s version at every potluck!