There are certain side dishes that have to be made on Thanksgiving for our family. Some of those include my aunt’s famous Ham, my mom’s famous rolls, and several side dishes, including funeral potatoes (also known as cheesy potato casserole).
If you have never had them before, you are MISSING OUT!! They’re cheesy, buttery, creamy and so delicious. They’re often called “funeral potatoes” since they’re a classic dish to make for a funeral luncheon, but no matter what you call them, we promise you will love them.
They’re great for all holidays, Sunday Dinners and more and make another great potato side to the Classic Mashed Potatoes.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- They are sinfully delicious!! So flavorful and filled with ingredients we all love – it’s the ultimate comfort food!
- So many variations! Add onions, leave them out, or add ham or change up the toppings based on preference.
- Can be made ahead of time. Funeral potatoes are the perfect side dish for large gatherings, parties, and holidays (like Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Funeral Potatoes Ingredients
- frozen diced hash browns (1 – 32 oz. bag) – The hearty potato base that keeps this dish easy and delicious. Use shredded hash browns instead of cubed potatoes.
- sour cream (2 cups) – Adds richness and that creamy tang. We recommend full-fat sour cream but reduced fat works as well as plain Greek yogurt for a tangier taste.
- cream of chicken soup (1 – 10.5 ounce can) – Creates the smooth, flavorful sauce that ties everything together. You can use other flavors of soup such as cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, or even cream of chicken soup.
- unsalted butter (1/2 cup) – Adds buttery flavor throughout—half in the mixture, half in the crispy topping.
- shredded sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups) – Melts into the potatoes for gooey, cheesy perfection. You can also use medium or mild cheddar cheese or another favorite like Monterey jack cheese.
- salt (1 teaspoon) – Enhances flavor and balances the creamy ingredients. You can also add some black pepper to taste.
- onion powder (1 teaspoon) – Adds a subtle savory kick. Or ¼ cup diced onions.
- corn flakes (2-3 cups) – The secret to that golden, crunchy topping everyone loves. Unfrosted cornflake cereal works the best, but you can also use Panko, bread crumbs, Lays Potato Chips, and most kinds of crackers will do, but Ritz crackers work best.
- unsalted butter (1/4 cup) – flavors and crips up the cornflake topping
Pro Tip: How to Use Fresh Potatoes
- Peel about 6-7 medium russet potatoes and cut into small cubes.
- Add the cubes to a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a dash of salt and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Drain potatoes and allow to cool to room temp before adding the cubes to the cream mixture.
How to Make Funeral Potatoes
PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
POTATOES. Place 1 (32-ounce) package hash browns in a colander and let sit until fully thawed and drained.
COMBINE. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine 2 cups sour cream, 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup, and ½ cup melted butter and mix well.
Add 2 cups shredded cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon onion powder and mix until well combined. Add potatoes to cheese mixture and stir until combined. Pour into the prepared dish.
Combine 2-3 cups cornflakes and the remaining ¼ cup melted butter in a large resealable plastic bag and shake until cereal is coated.
Sprinkle buttered cornflakes over potatoes.
BAKE. Bake for 42–46 minutes. Serve warm.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Thaw completely. Make sure your hash browns are thawed and drained so your casserole bakes up creamy, not watery.
- Use shredded or diced potatoes. Both work great! Shredded gives a softer texture, while diced adds a little bite.
- Get that golden top. For perfectly crisp cornflake topping, bake uncovered for the last 5–10 minutes.
- Make ahead. Assemble up to a day in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Add topping right before baking.
- Make it in the crock pot. We like this version in the oven, but we do have a similar Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes recipe that you’ll love!
Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Equipment
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (32-ounce) package frozen diced hash browns, (or shredded potatoes)
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted, divided
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder, optional
- 2-3 cups corn flakes, crushed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9-x-13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Place hash browns in a colander and let sit until fully thawed and drained.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine sour cream, soup, and ½ cup melted butter and mix well.
- Add cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, and onion powder and mix until well combined.
- Add potatoes to cheese mixture and stir until combined. Place in the prepared dish.
- Combine cornflakes and remaining ¼ cup melted butter in a large resealable plastic bag and shake until cereal is coated.
- Sprinkle buttered cornflakes over potatoes.
- Bake for 42–46 minutes. Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
To make this recipe for 50 or more people – triple the recipe or more. This recipe serves about 16 people. Make sure you have a few 9×13 pans lying around to bake all the potatoes in! Or better yet – buy large disposable pans to bake them in.
Make them as directed, but don’t add the cornflake topping or butter. When you’re ready to bake, thaw in the fridge overnight. Add the butter and cornflake topping and bake as directed!
STORE. Place the leftover cheesy potatoes with cornflakes in an airtight container and leave it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Place the desired amount on a plate and reheat in the microwave until heated.
FREEZE. Make as directed and spread in the baking dish (use a disposable pan if freezing). Do not add the cornflakes, instead cover with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Complete the Meal
- MAIN DISHES: Crockpot Ham, Crock Pot Pot Roast, Best Roast Chicken
- DESSERTS: Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, Easy Chocolate Cake
- More SIDE DISHES: Glazed Carrots, Favorite Dinner Rolls, Roasted Vegetables, Green Bean Casserole
More collections: Potato Side Dishes, Vegetable Side Dishes, Thanksgiving Side Dishes
For more potato recipes:
Best Mashed Potatoes
35 mins
Cheesy Potatoes
4 hrs 5 mins
Slow Cooker Hash Brown Casserole
3 hrs 10 mins
Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
48 mins
This recipe was first shared November 2013.
Can this be made the night before and baked the next day? If not how can I keep it warm for up to 2 hours.
Yes, you can prepare funeral potatoes the night before by assembling the casserole and refrigerating it. Just be sure to add the topping right before you bake it to keep it from getting soggy.
Im taking this to a party everyone loves them. But I was wondering cause it’s and outside party have u ever done this in a crock pot?
You can cook the dish in a Crockpot on Low for 3-4 hours or High for 2-3 hours. To keep the cornflake topping from getting soggy, you’ll want to crisp it in the oven and then sprinkle it on top of the potatoes before serving. To do this, bake the cornflake mixture in a preheated oven at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Thank you
Ooh, can you add these Crock-Pot instructions up in the official recipe? Like in the same section about how to make ahead of time, how to store them after they are made, etc? This would be really handy to have pinned up top for next time! Thank you!
My daughter calls them graveyard potatoes.
LOL, that’s pretty cute!
How long do the frozen potatoes take to thaw on the counter? Do you thaw at all ahead of time in the fridge nd does it turn out okay?
I just get them out, as I am getting everything out & prepping everything. It’s ok, if it’s not very long.
Very good – only substituted cream of mushroom soup and used a bit less butter for the cornflake topping.
So glad you liked the recipe!! They are a staple side dish in our home!
i always wanted the receipyfrom the funeral potatoes
thank you
These potatoes are a go to staple for us!
We like to change it up now and then and use the hashbrowns w/peppers and onions, as well as pepper jack cheese! Always panko on top and we make it a meal by adding diced ham!!😋
This is an absolute favorite casserole, in our family!!!
I am commenting to try to win the casserole dish set!!!
I have made this for years and I always come back to it!!! Kids and adults love it!!!
Any of Kristyns recipes are top notch and a never fail!!!
Oh thank you so much!!
These are the best! We like them topped with French fried onions!