Funeral Potatoes

I love creamy, rich baked potatoes loaded with cheesy flavor – and for holiday dinners and get-togethers, I can’t get enough Funeral Potatoes! They are my ultimate comfort-food side dish – a creamy hashbrown casserole loaded with cheese and a crispy, crunchy cornflake topping.

Funeral Potatoes have a bit of a funny name, but if you grew up in the Mountain West like I did, you know they are a staple at big gatherings and on meal trains – and they are the perfect contrast with crunchy corn cereal and creamy, cheesy potato flavor.

This is one side dish you will want to make again and again!

At Ajpal, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

How to Make Funeral Potatoes

This casserole is one of my favorites for holiday dinners because it is so incredibly easy to prep – and very, very budget-friendly for a crowd. This side is also incredibly rich, so you can fill up hungry bellies, plus it is as simple as:

• Prep.
• Bake.
• Enjoy. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.

Crispy Topping Hashbrown Casserole Ingredients:

To make this recipe, we will need the following ingredients:

• 28-ounce package frozen cubed hash browns, thawed (800 grams): The base of the dish. They provide the substance and a nice contrast in texture between their soft interior and crispy edges.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil: Used to sauté the hash browns, it enhances their flavor and helps them to crisp up.
• 1 10-ounce can cream of chicken soup: Acts as a binding agent for all the ingredients and provides a creamy, savory depth to the dish.
• 1 cup sour cream: Adds richness and creaminess to the dish. It also brings a slight tang which balances out the heavy, cheesy flavors.
• ¾ cup salted butter, divided and melted: Used for two purposes – mixed in with the potatoes for extra richness, and combined with the cornflakes for a crispy, flavorful topping.
• 2 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded: Brings a sharp, cheesy flavor to the dish. It melts into the other ingredients creating a gooey, creamy texture.
• 2 ½ cups Cornflakes: Coated in melted butter and then baked on top of the casserole, they provide a nice contrast with their light, crispy texture.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole with Crispy Topping Method:

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following process:

Prep

Preheat the oven to 350F. Place hash browns in a colander. Drizzle oil in a 9×13 casserole dish and evenly place thawed hashbrowns in and set aside.

Melt Butter

Melt butter and let cool slightly.

Mix Cream Sauce

Add soup, sour cream, and ½ of the melted butter into a medium bowl and mix well.

Mix with Cheese

Add in shredded cheese and mix again then pour on top of hashbrowns and mix until fully incorporated.

Top Hashbrowns

Spread cheese, soup, and cream mixture over hashbrowns in baking dish.

Mix Topping

In a small bowl mix together cornflakes and the remaining melted butter.

Spread Topping

Layer over potatoes and bake for about 40-50 minutes until the top just starts to become golden.

Serve & Enjoy!

Let cool slightly to set, about 10- 15 minutes. Serve alongside turkey, ribeye roast, ham, or other Holiday favorites!

Tips and Tricks to Perfect Funeral Potatoes

Thoroughly Thaw Hash Browns: Make sure your frozen hash browns are completely thawed before you begin the recipe. If they’re still frozen, they can make the dish watery and prevent it from baking evenly.

Don’t Skimp on Cheese: The more cheese, the merrier. While the recipe calls for a certain amount, adding a bit more can make the dish extra gooey and flavorful.

Use Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh onions, high-quality cheese, and homemade cream of chicken soup (if you have the time and inclination) can significantly enhance the taste.

Crush the Cornflakes Properly: Don’t pulverize them into dust. You want them to be crushed enough to spread evenly, but not so much that they lose their crunchiness.

Butter Your Cornflakes: Toss your cornflakes in melted butter before adding them to the top of the casserole. It gives them a rich flavor and helps them crisp up in the oven.

Bake Until Golden Brown: Every oven is different, so watch your casserole closely towards the end of the cooking time. You want your cornflakes to be a nice, toasty brown but not burnt.

Let it Rest: After taking the casserole out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken up a bit, making the casserole easier to serve.

Perfect Baked Funeral Potatoes FAQs

Yes, you can prepare Funeral Potatoes a day ahead. Assemble the dish as per the instructions but hold off on the cornflake topping. Cover and refrigerate the casserole. When ready to bake, add the cornflake topping and then bake. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Yes, you can use fresh potatoes. Peel and boil them until just cooked (not too soft), let them cool, and then dice them. Keep in mind that fresh potatoes may result in a different texture.

Funeral Potatoes can be frozen, either before or after baking. If freezing before, omit the cornflake topping until ready to bake. If freezing after baking, let the dish cool completely before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven.

You can use cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or even make a homemade white sauce as a substitute.

While cheddar is traditional, you can certainly use other types of cheese. Colby, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend would all work well.

Yes, you can make a vegetarian version by using cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup instead of cream of chicken soup.

Funeral Potatoes are often served as a side dish at potlucks or family dinners. They go well with roasted or grilled meats, salads, and other traditional comfort foods.

Yes, if you don’t have cornflakes, you can use crushed potato chips, breadcrumbs, or Ritz crackers for the topping. Each will provide a different kind of crunch and flavor.

What to Serve With Funeral Potatoes

Honey Baked Ham at Home

Dry Brined Turkey

Boneless Ribeye Roast Recipe

Perfect Easy Roasted Leg of Lamb

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