If you’ve ever been lucky enough to experience the comforting embrace of a classic side dish known as Funeral Potatoes, you know exactly why this recipe has earned a special place in so many hearts and on so many holiday tables. This Funeral Potatoes Recipe is a heavenly combination of crispy, cheesy, and creamy goodness that turns simple shredded hash browns into a soul-satisfying casserole that feels like a warm hug from the inside out. It’s that perfect balance of flavors and textures that makes it an instant crowd-pleaser, whether you’re bringing it to a family gathering, potluck, or just craving a taste of homey comfort on any day of the week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—each ingredient plays a crucial role, contributing to the rich flavor, creamy texture, or crispy finish that makes Funeral Potatoes so unforgettable.
- Frozen shredded hash browns: Provides the tender, starchy base that soaks up all the creamy goodness.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps meld flavors while creating that irresistible crispy topping texture.
- Cream of chicken soup: The creamy binder that infuses savory depth and keeps everything luscious.
- Sour cream: Brings tangy creaminess, balancing the savory notes perfectly.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Delivers sharp, melty cheese flavor that’s pure indulgence.
- Chopped yellow onion: Gives a subtle aromatic sweetness that brightens the casserole.
- Garlic powder: Provides a gentle punch of warm, garlicky flavor without overpowering.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance all the natural flavors.
- Crushed cornflakes: The secret to that perfectly crunchy and golden browned topping.
- Additional melted butter: Mixed with cornflakes to help create the mouthwatering crust.
How to Make Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
First things first, set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit so it’s nice and hot, ready to create that perfect golden finish on your casserole. Meanwhile, get your baking dish greased and ready to hold all the creamy goodness to come.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir these ingredients together until everything is well blended, forming the luscious base of your Funeral Potatoes Recipe.
Step 3: Incorporate the Hash Browns
Gently fold in the thawed shredded hash browns to the creamy mixture, ensuring every potato strand gets coated evenly. This step is crucial for that perfect creamy texture with tender potatoes throughout the casserole.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
Next, transfer your well-mixed potato mixture into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer. You want every bite to have an equal amount of cheesy potato goodness.
Step 5: Prepare the Topping
In a small bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes with the remaining melted butter until the flakes are evenly coated. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the top of the casserole, adding that irresistible crunch that sets this Funeral Potatoes Recipe apart.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Place the casserole in the oven and bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when you see bubbly bubbling edges and a golden brown crust forming on top. Let it cool just a bit before serving to let those flavors settle together beautifully.
How to Serve Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkling of fresh chopped parsley or green onions on top adds a touch of color and a fresh bite that complements the creamy richness perfectly. If you want a bit of extra flair, a light drizzle of sour cream adds another layer of lusciousness.
Side Dishes
This Funeral Potatoes Recipe stands tall as a star side dish, pairing wonderfully with roasted meats like turkey, ham, or chicken. It also complements brisk salads or steamed green veggies for a well-rounded meal balance that feels both comforting and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For celebrations, try serving the casserole in individual ramekins for easy portion control and a charming presentation. Alternatively, layering the casserole with some cooked bacon bits or swapping part of the cheddar for Monterey Jack cheese makes for an exciting twist to impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover your leftover Funeral Potatoes tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Leftovers taste fantastic reheated and often develop an even better melding of flavors.
Freezing
This dish freezes well if you want to prep in advance. Simply assemble but don’t bake, then wrap securely and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight before baking as usual, adding a few extra minutes if needed.
Reheating
For reheating, place portions in an oven-safe dish and warm at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through and the top regains some of that crispy texture, usually about 20-25 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that satisfying crunch.
FAQs
Can I make this Funeral Potatoes Recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap out the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom soup, and you’ll have a delicious vegetarian-friendly version without losing any of that creamy, cheesy goodness.
What kind of cheese works best?
Sharp cheddar is classic and flavorful, but mixing in Monterey Jack or even a mild Colby gives your casserole a lovely creamy texture and a slight twist on flavor.
Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?
Yes, but it requires a bit more prep. You’ll want to shred fresh potatoes and parboil or lightly cook them before mixing to avoid excess moisture making the dish soggy.
How can I make the topping extra crispy?
Make sure your cornflakes are well-coated in melted butter and consider adding a handful of toasted breadcrumbs or Parmesan cheese to boost crunch and flavor complexity on top.
Is it possible to add other ingredients like bacon or vegetables?
Definitely! Crispy cooked bacon, sautéed mushrooms, or diced bell peppers work wonderfully stirred into the potato mixture, making the dish even heartier and more personalized.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about this Funeral Potatoes Recipe that turns simple ingredients into a dish bursting with comfort and joy. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just looking to treat yourself to a warm, cheesy side, this casserole never disappoints. I encourage you to give it a try soon and watch it become one of your own go-to dishes for every day or special occasion alike!
Print
Funeral Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Funeral Potatoes is a classic American comfort food dish featuring a creamy, cheesy hash brown casserole topped with a buttery, crunchy cornflake crust. Perfect as a hearty side dish for family gatherings or potlucks, this recipe combines shredded hash browns with a savory mixture of cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cheese, and seasonings, baked until golden and bubbly.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 (30-ounce) bag frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 2 cups crushed cornflakes
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole evenly.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix the melted butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper together until smooth and uniform.
- Add Hash Browns: Stir in the thawed shredded hash browns thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined, ensuring every bite will be flavorful.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly to prevent sticking. Then transfer the hash brown mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.
- Make Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes with the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter, mixing until the cornflakes are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle Topping: Evenly sprinkle the buttered cornflakes over the top of the hash brown mixture to create a crunchy, golden crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered into the preheated oven. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to let it set and make serving easier.
Notes
- For extra richness and flavor, try using a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
- To make this dish vegetarian, substitute the cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom soup.
- Leftovers reheat well and make an excellent side dish for breakfast or dinner.
