Funeral Potatoes

This is the best funeral potatoes recipe I’ve ever had, it’s creamy and delicious – a great side dish for potlucks and family dinners.

Funeral potatoes may not be the most appetizing name for a dish, but don’t let that scare you away! This cheesy potato casserole is perfect for potlucks, parties, and family gatherings.

If you’re from Utah, you’ve probably had funeral potatoes before. Everyone has their favourite comfort food recipe, and for many people in the Midwest, delicious funeral potatoes are it.

This hearty dish is ubiquitous at Mormon funerals and potlucks, but it’s so delicious that people of all faiths love it. The best part? It’s ridiculously easy to make!

If you’re looking for a crowd pleasing and comforting side dish, look no further than funeral potatoes. This dish is a creamy, cheesy potato casserole that’s perfect for a winter gathering!

This easy side dish is a staple at potlucks and large gatherings, and for good reason—they’re creamy, cheesy, and delicious! It’s perfect for potlucks since it can be made ahead of time.

This funeral potatoes recipe is easy to follow and will produce a side dish your guests will love. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be tailored to your liking.

So get ready to blow some minds with this fun (and tasty) funeral potatoes recipe!

Why You Will LOVE this Funeral Potatoes Recipe

• It’s the ultimate comfort food!
• So much cheesy goodness.
• Perfect for making ahead of time
• Easily double or triple this recipe to feed a large crowd!
• Incredibly easy to make.
• Satisfying topping made with buttery cornflakes
• It’s a popular dish for a reason!
• Perfect to bring to any special occasion or large gathering.

What are Funeral Potatoes?

Funeral Potatoes are basically a cheesy hash brown casserole that is popular in the Midwest. It was traditionally served at funeral luncheons and funeral dinners, but this classic side dish now is popular at potlucks, special occasions, and even holiday dinners.

Other names for it include Cheesy Hash Browns, Hash Brown Casserole, Party Potatoes, Cheesy Potato Casserole, Company Potatoes, Comfort Potatoes, Holiday Potatoes, Cheesy Potatoes, and Heart Attack Casserole.

What to Serve with Funeral Potatoes

Make a complete meal by serving these funeral potatoes with these mains!

• Air Fryer Prime Rib
• Air Fryer Corned Beef
• Smoked Tri-Tip Recipe
• Sirloin Tip Roast
• Baked Crispy Chicken with Provolone

You can also serve funeral potatoes at breakfast with eggs, pancakes, etc… It’s a delicious and comforting swap anywhere you would serve potatoes normally.

More Tasty Toppings for Funeral Potatoes

Corn flakes are the classic choice for a perfect side dish, but here are some more options:

• Panko Bread Crumbs
• Crushed Potato Chips
• Crushed Ritz Crackers
• French Fried Onions
• Grated Cheese
• Cheese and Bacon

Anything crunchy is a good choice. I absolutely love this casserole with corn flakes or kettle chips the most.

Can This Recipe be Doubled?

Yes, this is the perfect casserole dish to feed a crowd. The recipe can be doubled, tripled, or multiplied as many times as you need. Consider purchasing some large disposable pans if you are bringing them to an event or making larger amounts.

Tips for Making the BEST Cheesy Potato Casserole

• Thaw the hash browns in a colander in the sink for a couple hours before you need to use them. You can also thaw in the fridge overnight. You can also spread them out on a large baking sheet to quickly defrost.
• Shred the cheese yourself, don’t use pre-shredded cheese, it doesn’t taste or melt as nicely because of the additives.
• For the crushed Corn Flakes, add the Corn Flakes to a large zip-top freezer bag. Use a rolling pin to crush them up. You don’t need to crush them too fine. I like mine to still resemble the cereal just in smaller pieces.
• You are using the Cream of Chicken soup right from the cans. Don’t prepare the soup according to the directions on the can.
• You don’t need to grease the pan. It will come out easily since butter is already mixed into the sauce.
• I topped mine with freshly chopped parsley to give it a pop of colour, but this step is not necessary and only if you want to do it for presentation purposes.

Substitutions & Variations

• Try another type of cheese in place of the cheddar cheese. Monterey Jack cheese is also good.
• Substitute ¼ cup to ½ cup diced onions in place of the onion powder.
• Add in different spices. Garlic powder can be used in place of the onion powder or in addition to it.
• Use cream of mushroom soup (or another cream-based soup) instead of the cream of chicken soup.
• Use kettle cooked potato chips instead of Corn Flakes.

Can You Make Funeral Potatoes with Fresh Potatoes?

Yes! To use fresh potatoes, dice them small and add them to a large pot of cold water. Bring to a boil, and cook for 7-10 minutes or until they just start to get a little tender. Do not let them get mushy. Set aside to cool, and proceed with the recipe.

Can You Make Funeral Potatoes Ahead of Time? 

Yes! This dish is perfect for making ahead of time. If you want to make this cheesy potato casserole ahead of time then prepare the dish but don’t add the cornflake topping.

If you are going to serve them within a day or two then simply cover the casserole with plastic wrap and place in the fridge. If you intend to store the casserole for longer than that you will want to freeze it instead.

Can You Freeze Funeral Potatoes?

Yes, you can freeze this recipe. I recommend following the steps to make it up until you need to add the topping. Freeze, unbaked, without the topping for up to 3 months in a freezer safe and oven dish.

When you are ready to make it, thaw overnight in the fridge and carry on with the rest of the steps in the recipe.

How to Store Leftover Cheesy Hash Browns

Store any leftovers in a covered airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat leftovers simply place them in the microwave until heated through, or in a 350 degree F oven for 15-20 minutes.

Equipment Needed to Make Funeral Potatoes

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cheese grater
• Can opener
• 9×13 inch casserole dish
• Scraper spatula (I love this tool for making sure I get everything out of the bowl into the casserole dish)
• Mixing bowls, you will want a large bowl
• Rolling pin
• Zip-top freezer bag

About the Ingredients for the BEST Funeral Potatoes

Soup – Cream of chicken soup is the best soup for this classic potato casserole but cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, or any other creamy cooking soup is ideal. Make sure you buy the cooking soup concentrates, and not the ready to eat varieties.

Sour cream – Full fat sour cream will definitely give you the best flavour and creamy consistency, so stick with that. This isn’t trying to be health food.

Butter – Do not substitute with oil or margarine. You definitely want to use real butter here.

Seasoning – Onion powder, salt, and black pepper are all you need to season this casserole.

Potatoes – Any frozen, pre-cooked diced potatoes will work. Shredded hash browns make a good base in place of regular hash browns. For fresh potatoes, check out the instructions above.

Cheese – A sharp cheddar cheese is ideal here. You can substitute with your favourite shredded cheese. Pepper jack would add a nice kick to this casserole, but Monterey jack or Havarti would be good too.

Corn flakes – The corn flake topping provides a satisfying crunch. You can substitute with panko breadcrumbs, kettle chips, french fried onions, or more shredded cheese.

Looking for More Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes?

Check out more of the very best comfort foods!

This John Wayne Casserole recipe is easy to make and results in a hearty, comforting casserole dish with loads of south-west flavour!

This Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe is a spicy take on a creamy classic. The best of both worlds in one easy dish with Andouille sausage!

This Jamaican jerk chicken pasta will have your family licking their plates, this Rasta Pasta Recipe is a Jamaican-inspired meal you’ll love!

How to Make Funeral Potatoes

Yields: 8 Servings | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 (10.5oz/284ml) cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2/3 cup salted butter, melted, divided
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (32oz/900g) package frozen hash browns, thawed
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups Corn Flakes cereal, crushed
• For garnish: freshly chopped parsley (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F.

Add cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 1/3 cup melted butter, onion powder, salt and pepper to a large mixing bowl.

Stir until well combined.

Add thawed hash browns to the mixture.

Stir to combine.

Load the bowl up with the cheddar cheese.

Stir it all together.

Spread mixture in an ungreased 9×13 inch casserole dish.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, stir together Corn Flakes and 1/3 cup melted butter.

Spread evenly on top of hash brown mixture in the baking dish.

Bake for 45 minutes. Let cool a few minutes before serving. Serve hot.