This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This best-loved cheesy family favorite feeds a crowd making it perfect for holidays!

Close up of Funeral Potatoes in a baking dish.

A Holiday Must-Have!

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).

We also make Classic Mashed Potatoes as well, but we always have at least two pans of funeral potatoes because we love them that much!!

Why we love Funeral Potatoes

  • 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)
Hash browns thawed in a yellow colander.

Ingredients

  • 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen diced hash browns – Use shredded hash browns instead of cubed potatoes – we have a similar recipe using them for Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole.
  • 2 cups sour cream – we recommend full-fat sour cream but reduced fat works as well as plain Greek yogurt for a tangier taste.
  • 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup – You can use other flavors of soup such as cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, or even cream of chicken soup. 
  • ยฝ cup unsalted butter used for flavoring within the casserole 
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese – You can also use medium or mild cheddar cheese or another favorite like Monterey jack cheese.
  • 1 teaspoon salt you can also add some black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder or ยผ cup diced onions
  • 2-3 cups corn flakes – 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.
  • ยผ cup unsalted butter – flavors and crips up the cornflake topping. 

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

  1. PREP. Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF.
  2. POTATOES. Place 1 (32-ounce) package hash browns in a colander and let sit until fully thawed and drained.
  3. COMBINE. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine 2 cups sour cream, 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup, and ยฝ 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. Place in a lightly greased 9-x-13-inch baking dish.
    • Combine 2-3 cups cornflakes and the remaining ยผ cup melted butter in a large resealable plastic bag and shake until cereal is coated.
    • Sprinkle buttered cornflakes over potatoes.
  4. BAKE. Bake for 42โ€“46 minutes. Serve warm.

Crock Pot Method

We like this version in the oven, but we do have a similar Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes recipe that youโ€™ll love!

Save This Recipe!
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
5 from 1263 votes

Funeral Potatoes Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Family-favorite funeral potatoes are creamy, cheesy, and crispy on top. It's perfect for holidays and is the ultimate comfort food!
Servings: 16
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 1 hour

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
  • ยฝ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder, optional
  • 2-3 cups corn flakes, crushed
  • ยผ cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF.
  • Place 1 (32-ounce)ย package hash browns in a colander and let sit until fully thawed and drained.
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine 2 cups sour cream, 1 (10.5-ounce)ย canย cream of chicken soup, and ยฝ 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. Place in a lightly greased 9-x-13-inch baking dish.
  • Combine 2-3 cups cornflakes and the remaining ยผ cup melted butter in a large resealable plastic bag and shake until cereal is coated.
  • Sprinkle buttered cornflakes over potatoes.
  • Bake for 42โ€“46 minutes. Serve warm.

Video

Notes

Make ahead of time. Make potatoes as directed, but do not add the buttered cornflake topping. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add the buttered cornflake topping and bake as directed.
Topping variations. We think cornflakes work the best, but you can also use Panko breadcrumbs or even crushed Ritz crackers.
STORE.ย Place the potatoes in an air-tight container and leave them in the fridge for up to 3 days.ย To reheat, just place on a plate and reheat in the microwave until heated through.
Make for a LARGE crowd.ย Funeral potatoes are a great dish to make for a crowd! If you want to make this recipe for 50 or more people โ€“ just triple the recipe or more. This recipe serves about 16 people. Make sure you have a few 9ร—13 pans lying around to bake all the potatoes in! Or better yet โ€“ buy large disposable pans to bake them in.

Nutrition

Calories: 244kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 61mg, Sodium: 516mg, Potassium: 69mg, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 770IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 140mg, Iron: 1.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

  • At some point, someone noticed that this side dish had become a staple at funeral luncheons and the nickname has stuck. They’re an easy side dish to feed a crowd which means they are great for holiday dinners, potlucks, and family gatherings all year long.
  • Use extra salt, pepper, garlic salt, paprika, chili powder, or red pepper flakes. Toss on cooked crumbled Bacon or ham (similar to our Ham and Potato Casserole).
  • 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 donโ€™t add the cornflake topping or butter. When youโ€™re ready to bake, thaw in the fridge overnight. Add the butter and cornflake topping and bake as directed!
  • 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.
  • 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.

For more potato recipes:

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

So Easy & So Yummy

Get my cookbook!

My new cookbook is the ultimate resource for feeding your friends and family with 200+ simple recipes including videos, tips & more!

5 from 1263 votes (790 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




871 Comments

  1. Georgie says:

    5 stars
    The real reason these are called funeral potatoes is because THEYโ€™RE TO DIE FOR! Just the best!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      I love that!! ๐Ÿ™‚ So glad you enjoy the recipe!

  2. Sharon Bland says:

    I need to know if I triple this recipe do I still bake it for 45 minutes or does it need longer baking time ?

  3. Debby says:

    5 stars
    I have made this recipe for years. It’s always very popular.

  4. cindy says:

    5 stars
    TOTALLY LOVE, had to cut in half cause its just me and my husband, we both were going mmmm
    theses are so good

  5. James Clark says:

    5 stars
    I LOVE YOUR FUNERAL POTATOES RECIPE ITS EASY TO MAKE AND VERY GOOD. BEING UP IN YEARS I DONT TRY ANYTHING NEW I AM USED TO BAKE POTATO OR SCALLOPED POTATOES.
    YOUR CHESSY POTATO RECIPE IS VERY GOOD ALSO. I AM GOING TO ORDER YOUR COOK BOOK.
    THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR GOOD RECIPES.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You’re welcome!! Thanks for the support with the cookbook and giving the recipes a try!

  6. Marty T says:

    5 stars
    We love your recipe for this wonderful side dish. Creamy, cheesy potatoes melt in your mouth and the topping has the perfect crunch to make this dish terrific! I serve it with any main dish and Iโ€™ve been known to skip the. Main dish and eat a plate of Funeral Potatoes by themselves. Thanks for this 5 star recipe. We love it!