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 a crispier cornflake topping, broil for 1-2 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
Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
4 hrs 5 mins
Crockpot Hashbrown Casserole
3 hrs 10 mins
Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
48 mins
This recipe was first shared November 2013.
I would rather call this recipe Comfort Potatoes! It sounds more uplifting☺ I’ve not made them yet, but I sure will! Thank-you for the recipe????????
They are comforting 🙂 Good name!! Let me know what you think!
How long do I bake if I double Jen ingredients but bake in one pan?
I would put them in an 11×17 to double & it should be about the same amount. You can add a few minutes, if it needs it, though.
Hi there!! Will I be able to make these in the crock pot??
You know, I have never tried! I bet you could though. I would have to experiment 🙂
Made these for Easter yesterday. Huge success. Everyone had seconds. I didn’t think ahead and all my 9×13 were in use for other easter dishes AND I doubled the recipie since I had 12 guests! I used three 9 inch rounds and followed the recipie to the tee. The first dish was gone in seconds, literally. You should have seen my guests faces when I brought out the other 2 rounds. First, relief then joy. Thanks for the recipie. I’ve only used shredded before but I will use diced from now on. Give it a much hardier bite and adds more “comfort” to this comfort food. Which is also why I thought they were named funeral potatos. Anyway, great recipie.
Awe, I love to hear that!! Thank you so much for letting me know. And, yes, they are usually gone so fast & we have to double the recipe too!
Did you bake the 3 pans all at once? I’m going to do these for grad party, want To do a large disposable dish but i dont know if id have to modify cooking time.
Hi,
I’m trying this for the first time for Easter. You mention onions, & we’re onion lovers, but you don’t mention them in the actual recipe. Should I sauté some first & add to other ingredients, or add raw? Sounds delicious & similar to a potato dish I had at Coola’s Fish Bar in Florida which they are famous for them!
I know I am answering after Easter, so I am sorry about that. I try not to do work on weekends. I personally don’t like onions, that’s why I leave them out, but you could totally add some. You could saute them a little first or add them raw, since they will cook in the oven.
Having a family dinner, soon, and will be making this recipe (as a surprise). Usually, I am asked to bring my “famous” confetti coleslaw. Thank you for sharing your recipes.
Your coleslaw sounds yum! I am so glad to share! Hope they are a hit!
Does anyone know if this can baked a day before with success? Wondered if it might dryout. Thank you.
I have not. I’ve put it together a day before, then baked the day of, but haven’t baked it ahead.
I am making these for Easter and need to triple the recipe. Do I triple the butter or is that too much?
If you are tripling the recipe, then yes, you would triple the butter too 🙂 Not too much for the amount of other ingredients 🙂 ENJOY!
Thank you for the great recipe Funeral Potatoes. I can’t wait to try it! Also thank you, Kristy for your recipe e-book!
You are so welcome!!! They are our favorite!
Funeral potatoes (also known as Mormon funeral potatoes or party potatoes[1][2][3]) is a traditional potato hotdish or casserole[4] that originated in the Intermountain West region of the United States. Both Mormon and Southern[5] people call this dish “funeral potatoes” because the casserole is commonly served as a side dish during traditional after-funeral dinners,[6] such as those planned by members of the Relief Society[7] (a LDS auxiliary organization). The dish is also served at other social gatherings such as potlucks, typically in areas with a significant Latter-day Saint population in the Mormon Corridor.[8]