There are certain dishes that have to be made on Thanksgiving in our family. Some of those include my aunt’s super yummy Ham, my mom’s rolls, and several side dishes, including Funeral Potatoes (also known as Cheesy Potato Casserole). Yes, we do have regular Mashed Potatoes as well (recipe to come later this week), but we always have at least two pans of Funeral Potatoes. Usually one has onions in it, and the other one does not (for us picky folk).
This Funeral Potatoes Recipe (and not really sure why it’s called that) is one that we have been making for as long as I can remember. It is so yummy and so great to include in the Thanksgiving meal, even though we make this all year long. 😉
I’m not going to lie… I sometimes crave these more than the regular Mashed Potatoes, BUT having said that I usually have both on Thanksgiving, because I’m just a Potato Lover!! 😀
If you’ve ever had these Cheesy Potatoes, then I’m sure you know just how yummy they really are. The best part is that you can add ingredients like bacon bits or even a few veggies to make them just how you’d like them. 🙂
Funeral Potatoes video:
Funeral Potatoes recipe:
- 2 packages Frozen Hash Brown Potatoes 12 oz. (Southern Style)
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup butter melted
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. minced onion or onion powder optional
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 - 3 cups Corn Flakes, crushed Mixed with ½ cup melted butter
- Place your potatoes in a colander. Let set until thawed and drained.
- Combine sour cream, soup and butter in a bowl. Mix it well. Add salt, onion and cheese to this mixture and mix until all combined.
- Add potatoes to mixture and stir until all combined. Place in 9x13 pan.
- Sprinkle on butter covered crushed Corn flakes.
- Bake uncovered at 350 for 40-50 minutes.
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Be sure to check out this other favorite potato side dish:
Cheesy Stuffed Mashed Potatoes
For more great side dishes be sure to check out:
ENJOY!
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Well doesn’t that look DELISH- I’m all over that.
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Have you had them before, Gina? Seriously – so good!
Coming from Utah, funeral potatoes are a Sunday dinner staple! They got the name because these potatoes (and at least 2-3 pans of it) can be found at every Mormon funeral lunch-in. Strangely, I never once had them for Thanksgiving dinner. I guess we ate them too many other times throughout the year.
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LOL!! We have them all year long too but definitely have them on Thanksgiving… along with Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes and any every other kind of potato recipe you can think of. We LOVE potatoes in our fam. 😉
Yep, they always show up at a funeral, but my mom says rhey are called that cuz they have enough fat to kill you, lol. I usually leave the butter out, and they are still delish.
Oh my goodness – my favorite!
xoxo
Same, Jen!! 😀
Yummmmm. I love Funeral Potatoes. Wouldn’t be the same at Thanksgiving without them. I’ll have to give your recipe a try!
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You’re right – they are a Thanksgiving MUST!! Thx for stopping by, friend! XO
The potatoes in the picture do not look like hash brown potatoes, am I missing something?
I use “Southern Style Hash brown potatoes”
Yes, use Southern Style Hashbrowns… I’ll modify the recipe so others know too. 🙂
Am in New Zealand and our hash potatoes don’t look anything like those above. Are they simply diced potato? I am so hoping this is something I can make here cause it looks so darn good!
Yes you can use chopped or shredded potatoes. Southern style has chopped onions and bell peppers mixed in
Looks great tried it out adapting it for a New Zealand dish, just used grated potatoes with the onions and peppers you suggested was yummy.
Hope you like them. They’re our favorite!!
These are some of my favorite potatoes… So good!
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Yes, they are!! YUMMY!
We call them funeral potatoes too!! A Thanksgiving must have and we always have them at Easter too with ham.
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Yay! So glad someone else calls them Funeral Potatoes. I was starting to feel like maybe just our family called them that, lol. 😉
People bring these to the homes of newly bereaved. It is a fantastic comfort food!
I make this same casserole, only we call it Harvest Potatoes. I haven’t met a person who doesn’t just love them!
Harvest Potaoes is a better name. 🙂
These are my fave too! We always make both! mmm
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Totally agree – both so good. 🙂
yum yum yum – just made these last night to go with sloppy joes – we make em with cream of mushroom soup and “top the tator” or french onion dip in place of the sour cream – mmmm!! had leftovers for breakfast – that’s not weird, is it??
♥ Northern Cottage
Not weird at all!! I love that these funeral potatoes are just as good the next day as leftovers! 😀
My mom’s family is from Utah and my grandma told me they are called “funeral potatoes” because everyone brings them to your house after a funeral. When my grandpa passed away 10+ years ago I asked my grandma, “Why do you have so many pans of hashbrown casserole?!” She laughed and said they were “funeral potatoes” and she didn’t know why, but people always bring them! And they’re delicious!
What’s funny is I feel like I haven’t seen them at a funeral luncheon or brought to anyone’s house after a funeral, lol!
If they’re called Funeral Potatoes the best reason I can think of is because they are the ultimate “comfort food.” We just love them here in Wisconsin and have them anytime more than three people get together 🙂
They are definitely our favorite too!! 😀
OMG! I haven’t had these in years. Such a great recipe – now I need to make them again!
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They are so yummy, Dorothy. If you make them you’ll be wondering why you hadn’t made them sooner – they are so good!
We call these Yummy Potatoes at our house…I’ve also heard them called Crack Potatoes. They will be gracing our Thanksgiving in addition to mashed potatoes and Sweet potatoes with Marshmallows roasted on top.Mmmmmmmmm
I can guarantee my hubby wishes we were making sweet potatoes with roasted marshmallows. He loves them but I have yet to learn to make them. I may have to learn this year!
look for recipes online. you’ll find more than you need or want. 🙂
Oh, I know!! It can be overwhelming..in a good way 🙂 Thank you!
Yum!! I think they’re called funeral potatoes because you’ll overload on all that butter!! What a way to go tho!!
LOL!! This is probably very true!! 😉
Your aunt must’ve had a connection in Utah or to someone in the LDS faith. The reason they’ve been called funeral potatoes is because after an LDS funeral the Relief Society ladies and sometimes the Priesthood members would help out with a luncheon for the family and close friends of the deceased, giving them a bit of reprieve from feeding their families after the services. More often than not, Funeral potatoes were served due to the simplicity and inexpensive cost of their preparation, as well as ease to make. Thankyou for sharing. Janalou
Well, I am LDS, but had no idea it was connected to our religion. We’ve been having these for as long as I can remember, and we continue to have them because they are so delicious!!
The origins must have been some Church Lady made this as part of the funeral “lunch” at the church…ergo:funeral potatoes! (FYI: I’m a minister and church historian with a cooking degree)
You may be right. I’m coming to find out that there are SO many different names for these potatoes. 🙂
We call these Wedding Potatoes!!
Just the opposite of our name, pretty much! 😉
I love them! I make it with grated hash browns and we call it Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole. It is deliciousness at its finest. I have to try your version because it looks so scrumptious in the pics.
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Thank you, Kimber!! It’s crackin’ me up on all the different names it’s called!! I will have to try grated hash browns next time. 🙂
Cracker Barrel doesn’t use cream of anything soup or even sour cream. They use butter, minced onions, Colby cheese, and beef broth. And the hash browns are shredded. So not even close! lol
My grandma was famous for these potatoes. We call them “Grandma’s Potatoes” in our family 😉 But yes, every Thanksgiving and Christmas we HAD to have these! Now my sister and I make them, without fail, for our families!
So great that you and your sis can carry on the tradition. They’re just so easy to make and so yummy, it’s hard not to make them for the holidays! 😀
I’ve had these before at functions, and always loved them. Thanks for posting so I can finally make them myself. Pinning!
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You’re welcome, Kim!! They are so easy to make – I hope you love them!
Funeral Potatoes come from the Mormon culture of having a potluck after a funeral. It was always held in the multipurpose room (gym, dining room, rec room, crafts room) and funeral potatoes seemed to always be on the menu.
I have this same recipe but it is called Yummy Potatoes. A family favorite
LOVE the name – they definitely are YUMMY!
How big of a can of cream of chicken soup? Family size or regular?
Regular size. 🙂
Could you make these in the crockpot?
I’ve never tried it in the crockpot before but I googled and found this recipe: http://crockpotladies.com/blog/crockpot-funeral-potatoes/
I was just checking to see if the 12 oz of hashbrowns was the total amount, or 2- 12 oz bags. We are making these for our Ward’s Christmas dinner, and I need to make 28 pans of them. I wanted to be sure I bought the correct amount. I am buying everything in bulk, so I am converting it all so I can more easily figure out how much of everything I need to get.
Thanks a ton for your help!
TWO 12 oz packages. Looks like you have lots of potatoes to make!! Good luck. 🙂
Just made your funeral potatoes and they are absolutely delicious 🙂 I tried your recipe vs the one that I usually use the only thing I would do different is put fresh onions in it and definitely use the diced breakfast potatoes instead of hashbrowns. Sadly it dried out the flavors a bit with shredded 🙁
Good tips. I think cubed hash browns are always the best for this casserole – glad you liked it! 😀
Here is a handy trick with this dish. Get French onion dip instead of sour cream. Then you won’t have to add your onions! I do it when I make this dish!
Great tip, Cindi! THANKS!
They are called Funeral Potatoes because they will kill you. How many fat grams 100??
Not sure, but they are delicious. 😉
My MIL makes these potatoes all the time! Yum! 🙂
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Aren’t they the best?!
We call them funeral potatoes because the women of the church used to make them for the meals they served to families following funerals at the church. We don’t put corn flakes in ours. They are great to feed a bunch of people
They’re definitely one of our FAV side dishes!!
Does it have to be frozen potatoes or can I boil some potatoes leave them a bit firm and use those??
I am wondering if I can make these in a crockpot. I have made them for years but never in a crockpot. We are having a potluck at work this week and said that I would bring them but have no way to heat them up if I bake it at home.
Unfortunately, I’ve never tried this recipe in the crock pot, but I did find this recipe that might work: http://crockpotladies.com/crockpot-funeral-potatoes/ Hope that helps!
Silly question, there is a 1/2 cup of melted butter in the potatoes and then an additional 1/2 cup with the corn flake topping?
I just went to the store to get the ingredients to make this potato dish and all I found was a 30 oz. bag. I know it say’s 2 12 oz. bags but either way this doesn’t seem to serve many and I was wondering how many does this recipe serve? If I double the recipe it seems like it would be to much sour cream and soup and would it still fit into my 9×13 pan? Thanks for any info.
We use the 30 oz. bag. We keep everything else the same except the following, 2 tbsp. onion, 1/4 tsp. pepper and 1/2 lbs. velveeta instead of cheddar.
Love this stuff, my grandma makes it with 2 tbsp. onion, 1/4 tsp. pepper and 1/2 lbs. velveeta instead of cheddar though.. I’m going to a potluck bonfire tonight, I think I’ll take this!
So yummy!!!! Perfect for any occasion!
Pinned.
xxo
Thanks, Jen!
Love me some funeral potatoes!!!! Pinned!
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Same, Amy!! Always so delicious!!
my MIL always cooks her own potatoes, let’s them cool then shreds them. Just as good, but a lot more work than the frozen. Make sure you let the frozen hash browns thaw completely before mixing them in so they absorb all the yummy flavors!
How long do they take to thaw? Can I put them in the fridge overnight, or will they thaw quickly in the colinder?
It does take awhile to thaw in the colander, so we usually let them thaw for awhile in there and also pour hot water over them. Putting them in the fridge to thaw works too or even setting them out on the counter over night. 😉
Great tip, Becky!! 😀
Love these! We live in California and know them as “Fat Lady Potatoes”. A must at a potluck!
LOVE it – best name!!
I made these last night to go with our Friday night steaks. They would have been great but 1/2 a cup of butter was way too much. Will try again but with less butter.
I have a question. When you say minced onion, are you talking about a dried product or fresh onion?
These sound delicious, by the way.
My family usually uses the dry onions. 😉
Thank you!
How many can you feed with a 9×13 pan? Thanks
You can usualy get in 10-12 servings. 😉
Hmm, I’ve been making these for 22 years, when they were named “Potato Supreme”, cuz they are Supreme! Yum!
We call these “Cheese Potatoes” in our family. I’ve been making them for many years and they are a staple at all of the family dinners. You can use the southern style or the hash brown shred style or mix both for a twist. If you really want to put them over the top, fry up some bacon and add it to before baking. You can also mix in carmelized onions. Soooo good! 🙂 These go great as a side with a meat dish and are equally good for breakfast/brunch on Christmas morning as a side with quiche that you’ve made ahead so you can enjoy family time with everyone.
The recipe is missing cream cheese. And, I recommed replacing corn flakes with Sugar frosted flakes.
We call them heart attack potatoes in my family because of the high fat content. So good though!
LOL! Love the name – they are so bad for you and sooooo good too!
These look amazing! Going to make them for Thanksgiving this year but was wondering if I can assemble the day before and keep in the fridge? Then add the cornflakes/butter right before I put the in the oven. How would that affect the cook time? Thank you!!!
Yes, Jenna, you can. I will be making mine tonight as well and adding the cornflake/butter mix right before serving. I think I would just add an addition 5 minutes to the time. 😉
Can I put these in a crockpot and cook on low for a few hours?
I was wondering how many cups of potatoes this would be? I wanted to try using my own boiled potatoes, and I’m afraid I will add too many and they will be bland….
If you have food scales, use 24 oz of prepared potatoes.
Made these tonight for a potluck and they were a huge hit!! thanks for the great recipie! Will definitely make again.
YAY!!! I love hearing that, Jackie. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!! XO
I make a casserole very similar to this. Mine has ham in it to make it a main dish.
It is really good and a wonderful dish to take to someone how needs a meal for their family.
Maybe with a side of green beans or carrots.
Ham would be great!! If you ever get a chance, I’d love your recipe. 😉
I know why they’re called funeral potatoes. Because back in the day, all the female friends and family, made sure that there was enough food in the house that everyone who came back to the house after the funeral service would have a wide variety to eat. The ladies would have it all ready to go. So the conversation would go something like this. Imogene, are you going to bring that great roast beef you make. But of course. Betty, do you want to do that pudding cake or bar cookies this time. Oh I think the pudding cake. Ok Georgette, can you make that fabulous wedding shower salad? And I think I’ll make my funeral potatoes they always go well.
As a child I was privy to lots of these conversations, while my mom and her friends planned occasions. Recently my mom had a wedding shower for my daughter. Sitting on the table was the Patio Chicken Salad. Served both at my shower, my wedding, and every patio party my mom has ever gone to. One of my favorites.
You’re totally right, Jennie!!
People called this dish funeral potatoes because the casserole is commonly served as a side dish during traditional after-funeral dinners, such as those planned by members of Relief Society (a LDS auxiliary organization).
My ex sister-in-law taught me this recipe about 23 years ago, but she just called it Potato Casserole. It was so good that I committed the recipe to memory! I have switched it up from time to time and added things like crumbled bacon, shredded chicken, and even chopped broccoli. Land ‘O Lakes makes a sour cream with onions & chives, so I’ve used that as well. This dish gets made at least once a month in my house, and we have often been known to make it as a side-dish for breakfast too. Whenever I make this, I always make a second batch. I bake one for the meal, and the second batch I mix and store in a large Ziploc bag (I keep the potatoes frozen) and throw it in the freezer for later use; just thaw the entire bag in the fridge while I’m at work and then throw it in a casserole dish and cook it that evening! Great comfort food!!!
Isn’t it the best?! I will definitely have to try it with the Land O Lakes sour cream you mentioned – YUM!
Any tips for making ahead of time? Should I wait to add the corn flakes until I reheat? I’m in charge of potatoes this Thanksgiving, and staying at my Aunt’s the night before (so I’ll have to make them before I leave for her house). They want to have as much as possible done the night before so we just have to reheat when we get home from black Friday shopping. Tips?
Hi there, I made these last night for dinner. Had never heard of them before but seemed so delicious I had to try them. Only thing I changed I did Bran Flakes instead of Corn flakes. They were indeed delicious. But I thot this had too much butter as came out a little runny & could see it on the plates as I served it. My hubby who is totally against greasy mentioned it. So I think next time which there will be a next time I will use less butter. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve also made these potatoes for years, sans the Corn Flakes. We’ve dubbed them Heart Attack Potatoes. No holiday would be complete without them!
They are called funeral potatoes because in Utah they are typically served at a funeral dinner.
Is the cream of chicken soup condensed??
Is there an adaptation for the crockpot?
I can tell you why they’re called Funeral Potatoes! They’re at EVERY mormon funeral luncheon. 🙂 This recipe looks great, thanks!
Just made my day! I had totally forgotten about these. Reminds of my childhood. Thanks for the recipe. I can’t wait to try these tasty taters!
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Thanks for sharing! My husband insists we need to call them something else. 😉
We’re having them for Easter.
-Jen
http://frontporchbliss.com
Haha!! Yeah, they don’t sound that appetizing, but in reality are! He can make up his own name for them:)
Now we call them Party Potatoes!
Haha..love it!
I adore this recipe! It was even amazing when I didn’t have enough corn flakes or sour cream so I mixed half & half with the sour cream and mixed plain potatoe chips with the topping! Yummy!
We love funeral potatoes!! So glad you could throw in what you had and it still tasted great! It’s a great recipe for that! Thank so much for letting me know:)
So, do you use 1/2 cup butter in the potato mixture AND 1/2 cup butter with the cornflake crumbs? Thanks!
Yes, 1/2 cup in the mixture, then 1/2 cup with the crushed corn flakes 🙂 Thanks!
My family has always had these at Thanksgiving, Christmas & Easter! Myom usually makes them & just calls them “Cheesy potatoe casse
They are definitely a great holiday side for sure:) I’ve heard different names, too….not sure where this one came from? 🙂 Thanks so much!
I don’t know much about origins but “funeral potatoes”…..because they’re to Die for!!
LOL!!! That’s a great one!!
I use rice krispies on mine, no need to crush those, just put on top and drizzle melted butter on.
I’ll have to try that next time!! Thanks for sharing!!
I have a question. We call these Grandma’s Potates too. My family has several people that are diabetic and we are wondering if anyone has ever made this receipe using sweet potatoes, the yellow ones, instead of regular potatoes? Any ideas. Thanks
I personally haven’t. Has anyone else?? Hope you find someone that has!
What size can of soup?
10.5 ounce 🙂 Enjoy the holidays!!
Yum! My family calls them funeral potatoes too. When I asked my mom why she told me because they are to die for.
That’s a good reason!! Love it! Thanks so much!
These are called “Funeral Potatoes” because funerals at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a luncheon after the funeral and serve ham and these potatoes. Green jello is usually served as well😉.
You are very correct 🙂 Thanks!!
I have made these several times from your recipe. So good! My husband calls them “death potatoes” because he forgets “funeral” 😂 He requests them often!
Haha!!! I guess they’re the same thing 🙂 These are a staple around here! Thank you!
Hi
Grew up on farm and dinner was usually meat and potatoes. Baked at Gramma’s. love them
These sound good but I don’t think we can get frozen hash brown potatoes here. (Mass.) Any suggestions?
Jim
Hmmm…if you can’t find them in the frozen aisle at the grocery store, maybe you could cut up potatoes (peeled) into very small pieces?? Not sure if they’d need to be frozen and how that changes the recipe. I’ve never made them any other way, so this is just a guess. I’d love to know if you make them and what you do! Thank you!
I see why they’re called funeral potatoes: if you eat these more than once a decade, your family will be holding a funeral for you.
Haha!! They aren’t the healthiest, but oh, so good!!
I had to chuckle when I saw the recipe for funeral potatoes. I didn’t think anyone but my church group called them by that name. This is a dish that someone always brings to the funeral dinner. It is easy to make, feeds several, and everyone likes. That is why we call them funeral potatoes.
Yes, completely agree! Thanks for sharing!
your recipes always turn out soooooo good. I always add my touch add a little garlic here or Hatch green chili…..nothing big just my personal taste added…and I have never had a failure…family always eats and most of all the like and enjoy. Thank you
Nothing wrong with adding your likes 🙂 Thank you so much for letting me know and for always stopping by!
Love this! Making it for a reunion. How would I make it in the crockpot?
I personally haven’t made them in a crockpot before. I would say maybe on low for a few hours??