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.
This is the best funeral potato recipe out there. I make these are least six or seven times a Year, and I’ve tried a ton of different recipes. This is by far my favorite, and everyone who has tried them agrees that this is the best funeral potato recipe (I live in Utah and they are super common here).
Either way, after following this recipe for years and years, i was disappointed this Christmas season. Google has apparently moved you out of the first few results (You have always been in the top three when I’ve searched previously), and there’s literally no way to get to the second page of search results. Luckily i remembered your site name and was able to find the recipe via that, but the sites ranking in place of this one are crappy recipes from huge sites. It’s a disappointment, but i wanted to make sure and let you know that i (as well as my family and friends) appreciate you for creating this recipe.
Awe, thank you so much! I appreciate that!! I am glad you remembered my site name 🙂 These are our go-to!
I am in another country and am happy to have found your pin for Funeral Potatoes. However, wheN I initially went to the front page of the pin with the list of ingredients, at the top it mentioned that it was gluten free. Please be aware and change that part of your post—- these are not gluten-Free. Regular cream of chicken soup has wheat products and can cause harm or pain for those who are gluten intolerant! You can however purchase special gluten free soup. I’m just afraid someone wIll make this for a friend who is gluten intolerant aNd advertise them as gluten-free when in fact they are not. Thank you.
These are our favorite potatoes! They get requested for every holiday & get together! They are very easy to make, super cheesy, & a hit with everyone..even the picky eaters!
Made these for thanksgiving and everyone loved them!
Glad everyone did!! Thank you!
FUNERAL POTATOES ARE MY HUSBANDS FAVORITE DISH AT THANKSGIVING. I WANTED TO MAKE SOME THIS YEAR FOR HIM BUT HAD NEVER MADE THEM BEFORE AND WAS NERVOUS I WOULD MESS THEM UP. YOUR RECIPE MADE IT SO EASY AND I LOVED IT SO MUCH! SO DELICIOUS IT WAS GONE IN MINUTES! HAD TO MAKE A SECRET BOWL TOO EAT LATER. YOU ARE MY GO TO FOR ALL RECIPES! 🙂
Love that you had a secret bowl!! Way to go for trying them for the first time!
I made this for the first time and loved it! No changes just followed the recipe. My favorite!
Glad you tried it!! They are my favorite! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
I just used your recipe and i will let you know how they turned out. Looks delish ♥️♥️
they look simple & delicious!!!
They really are. I hope you try them & like them! Thank you!
These are amazing. I make this for big event quadruple the recipe and cook it in a roaster oven. It is always a hit.
Yay!! Thank you for sharing the recipe & letting me know! Glad it was a hit!
i found this recipe via google, and I go back to it every few months because it’s the best recipe for funeral potatoes – my whole family thinks i make them better than anyone, and that’s saying something because they’re very popular in utah. thank you!
Yay!! You made my day! Thank you for sharing that!