These cheesy funeral potatoes are the perfect side dish for large gatherings where you need to feed a crowd! With 16 servings of cheesy, creamy, potato-filled goodness, this hash brown casserole never disappoints! You can even make it ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it, so all you have to do is pop it in the oven!
Easy Hashbrown Potato Casserole
While the name may seem somber, these cheesy funeral potatoes are anything but! They are rich and creamy, with plenty of melted cheese and tender hash brown potatoes to enjoy.
Everything is baked together in one pan for an easy, casserole-style side dish that is perfect for feeding a crowd. It's a recipe that's been around forever, and it's easy to see why!
Jump to:
- Easy Hashbrown Potato Casserole
- 🌎 Origin
- 🥘 Cheesy Funeral Potatoes Ingredients, Notes, & Substitutions
- 📖 Variations
- 🔪 How To Make Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
- 🍗 What To Serve With Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
- 💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- 🥄 Make Ahead Options
- 🥡 Storing & Reheating
- ❓ Recipe FAQs
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
🌎 Origin
The name "funeral potatoes" is a reflection of the context in which this casserole is often served, not a reflection of its taste or ingredients. Oftentimes, families come together after funerals to share memories over a meal.
Because of its ease of preparation and large serving size, funeral potatoes became a common side dish at these after-funeral luncheons. It is truly 'comfort food' at its best!
That's not to say it isn't also served at parties and other large gatherings, however. This easy side dish is perfect for any occasion!
🥘 Cheesy Funeral Potatoes Ingredients, Notes, & Substitutions
You don't have to use frozen hash browns if you prefer to make them yourself. However, they make this recipe so much easier, and there's not much of a flavor or texture difference!
- Frozen Hash Browns - 30-32 ounces of diced or shredded frozen hash browns (or Simply Potatoes fresh hash browns or shredded potatoes).
- Sour Cream - 16 ounces of sour cream, Greek yogurt, or a sour cream substitute.
- Cream of Chicken Soup - 10.5-ounce can of condensed cream of chicken soup (or a 12-ounce package of Proper Good cream of chicken soup).
- Butter - ¾ cup of melted unsalted butter or a butter substitute (divided into ½ and ¼ cup portions).
- Onion Powder - 1 teaspoon of onion powder or an onion powder substitute.
- Salt - 1 teaspoon of salt to taste.
- Pepper - ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper to taste.
- Garlic Powder - ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Cheddar cheese - 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese (cheddar is the traditional choice, but you can also use your preferred shredded cheese).
- Corn Flakes - 2-3 cups of crushed cornflakes.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
📖 Variations
The cornflake topping is traditional and adds a golden, crunchy coating that complements the cheesy potatoes beautifully! It may sound weird, but I promise they are totally tasty! However, if you prefer not to use cornflakes, you can use:
Cornflake Substitutes
- Crushed Ritz Crackers
- Crushed Potato Chips (like Ruffles, Dutch Crunch, or Lay’s)
- Panko Breadcrumbs
- Crushed Crackers
- Or Another Crushed Plain Cereal
Funeral Potatoes Variations
When it comes to the casserole itself, it's practically fool-proof and incredibly easy to customize. Try a few of these delicious alternatives and additions to make your own signature hashbrown casserole:
- Add half a cup of diced or grated onions to your casserole mixture for extra onion flavor. You can even saute them beforehand so they are a little sweeter, but they will still cook perfectly fine if you don't.
- You can mix in some diced ham or cooked bacon for a heartier casserole.
- Shredded chicken is another great protein to stir into this casserole if you want to beef it up a little. (Leftover rotisserie chicken would be perfect!)
- Leave out the crispy cornflake topping altogether, and top your casserole with some extra cheese!
🔪 How To Make Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
This hash brown potato casserole is a classic because it's super simple and always delicious! You're going to need a colander, your measuring utensils, a mixing bowl, a silicone spatula, and a 9x13 baking dish.
One casserole has 16 servings, but you can easily scale up the recipe to make more. Just be sure you have multiple 9x13 pans!
Step 1: Preheat. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4) and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
Step 2: Drain. Put 30-32 ounces (850.49 grams) of frozen hash browns in a colander and let them drain and thaw (unless using fresh hashbrowns or shredded potatoes).
Step 3: Make the sauce. While the potatoes thaw, add 16 ounces (453.49 grams) of sour cream, a 10.5-ounce (297.67 grams) can of cream of chicken condensed soup, ½ cup (113 grams) portion of the melted ¾ cup unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of onion powder, 1 teaspoon (6 grams) of salt, ½ teaspoon (1 gram) of ground black pepper, and ½ teaspoon (1.5 grams) of garlic powder to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
Step 4: Add cheese. Fold in 2 cups (226 grams) of cheddar cheese, then add the hash browns. Mix until everything is thoroughly combined, and pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish.2 cups cheddar cheese
Step 5: Add cornflake topping. Mix the crushed 2-3 cups (56 grams) of crushed cornflakes together with the remaining ¼ cup (57 grams) of melted butter. Sprinkle the buttery cornflakes evenly across the top of your hash brown casserole.
Step 6: Bake and serve. Bake at 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4) for 40-45 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Then, remove your cheesy funeral potatoes from the oven and serve while hot.
🍗 What To Serve With Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
If you're making cheesy funeral potatoes, it's safe to assume you need to feed a large group of people. For the main course, you could serve cheese enchiladas, pulled pork with brioche buns for sandwiches, or a whole honey-baked ham.
Pasta salad with Italian dressing and some sweet and creamy grape salad would make fabulous complementary side dishes. Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- The diced hashbrowns can always swapped for shredded hashbrowns. I like the texture of the diced, but it's perfectly tasty either way.
- I like combining the crushed cornflakes and ¼ cup of melted butter in a large Ziploc bag for easy mixing and cleanup. Gently squeeze everything in the bag to mix, and pour it on top of your casserole.
- Cornflakes are my personal favorite, but you can also use Panko breadcrumbs, crushed Ritz crackers, or crushed potato chips (like Ruffles, Dutch Crunch, or Lay’s) for your topping.
- This casserole has 16 servings already, and it is very easy to scale up as needed for larger gatherings (see the top of the recipe card below). You will need multiple 9x13 pans, or you can use the disposable baking pans for easy cleanup.
🥄 Make Ahead Options
If you know you will be busy the day you need this casserole, save yourself some time and stress by making it in advance. Follow the steps as directed up until you add the cornflakes.
Wrap your assembled casserole (minus the cornflake topping) tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Add the cornflake/butter mixture right before baking and add 5-10 minutes to the total baking time to account for the cold casserole.
Freezing Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
You can assemble your casserole in the 9x13 baking dish without the cornflake topping. Wrap it tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating, and add the butter/cornflake mixture just before baking.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Let your cheesy funeral potatoes cool to room temperature, then cover them tightly or transfer them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
You can reheat a single serving of funeral potatoes in the microwave. The entire casserole can be reheated in the oven at 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4) for 15-20 minutes.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
Just because 'funeral' is in the name doesn't mean you must reserve them for somber occasions. These potatoes can be served at parties, celebrations, or any other gathering you'd like! Many people refer to it as a cheesy hashbrown or potato casserole.
Yes, simply swap the cream of chicken soup for cream of celery or cream of mushroom soup. I've tried all three, and each variation is equally tasty.
Typically, this casserole is served as a hearty side dish. However, you can mix in meat like diced ham, cooked bacon, or cooked chicken to make it even more satisfying. I would consider it 8-10 servings when served as a main course rather than a side dish.
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📖 Recipe Card
Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
Ingredients
- 30-32 oz frozen hash browns (diced, or Simply Potatoes fresh hash browns, or shredded potatoes)
- 16 oz sour cream (or Greek Yogurt)
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken condensed soup (or a 12-ounce package of Proper Good cream of chicken soup)
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (melted, divided into ½ and ¼ cup portions)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 2-3 cups cornflakes (crushed)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4) and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- Put your 30-32 oz frozen hash browns in a colander and let them drain and thaw (unless using fresh hashbrowns or shredded potatoes).
- While the potatoes thaw, add 16 oz sour cream, 10.5 oz cream of chicken condensed soup, ½ cup of the melted ¾ cup unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
- Fold in 2 cups cheddar cheese, then add the hash browns. Mix until everything is thoroughly combined and pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish.
- Mix the crushed 2-3 cups cornflakes together with the remaining ¼ cup of melted butter. Sprinkle the buttery cornflakes evenly across the top of your hash brown casserole.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4) for 40-45 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Then, remove your cheesy funeral potatoes from the oven and serve while hot.
Notes
- The diced hashbrowns can always swapped for shredded hashbrowns.
- I like combining the crushed cornflakes and ¼ cup of melted butter in a large Ziploc bag for easy mixing and cleanup.
- Cornflakes are my personal favorite, but you can also use Panko breadcrumbs, crushed Ritz crackers, or crushed potato chips (like Ruffles, Dutch Crunch, or Lay’s) for your topping.
- This casserole has 16 servings already, and it is very easy to scale up as needed for larger gatherings (see the top of this recipe card). You will need multiple 9x13 pans, or you can use the disposable baking pans for easy cleanup.
- Let your cheesy funeral potatoes cool to room temperature, then cover them tightly or transfer them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- To freeze, you can assemble your casserole in the 9x13 baking dish without the cornflake topping. Wrap it tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating, and add the butter/cornflake mixture just before baking.
- You can reheat a single serving of funeral potatoes in the microwave. The entire casserole can be reheated in the oven at 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4) for 15-20 minutes.
Anonymous says
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Simon says
Fantastically cheesy! I know the name is odd (should just be called cheesy potato casserole) but these are seriously delicious.
B Lewis says
If you were to google "funeral potatoes" you would see that the recipe is widely known as being served at LDS funerals. Sorry that you avoided that very huge detail. If a record was kept, you'd see that The LDS Church events has served more cheesy potatoes aka "Funeral Potatoes" then any other church or event! We are always happy to donate Funeral Poatoes or what ever is needed to help at such a time!