This super cheesy, crunchy topped hash brown casserole is truly The Best Funeral Potatoes Ever! The combination of sour cream, onions, garlic and that buttery top all meld together with the potatoes for a side dish perfect for any occasion. Serve this up for your next holiday, or special day and watch the dish disappear. It’s a comfort food classic!
Serve these potatoes with just about anything from Ham, to Chicken to Steak and even Fish! It will go with it all!.
The Best Funeral Potatoes
Cheesy and beautifully seasoned, these really are just plain amazing! Potatoes are that ultimate comfort food. Combined with onions, sour cream, and lots of cheese, what’s not to love? This has become a staple at the table for many holidays. From Thanksgiving to Easter and everything in between this is a classic side dish that can make any meal complete.
Serve them at potlucks, BBQs as well as holidays. They are not just reserved for special occasions. Double the batch and freeze it (without the topping) to use at another occasion. You loved ones are going to love these potatoes!
Funeral Potato Ingredients
These are so buttery and cheesy!
- Butter: To saute the onion and garlic with.
- Onion: Finely chop the onion
- Garlic: minced
- Hash Browns: Frozen shredded hash brown potatoes thawed, or make your own
- Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup: Creates creamy goodness and flavor
- Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt: More creaminess and a bit of tang
- Parmesan Cheese Adds a nice punch to the cheese.
- Salt and Pepper To Taste
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Shredded and firmly packed, don’t skimp on the good stuff.
- Crushed Corn Flake Cereal or Panko Bread Crumbs: Either one will work
Making Funeral Potatoes
This comes together in a snap.
- Saute: In a medium skillet melt 2 Tablespoons of butter. Add the onions and cook till translucent. Add the garlic and saute, just until fragrant.
- Mix: In a large bowl combine the onions, garlic, hash browns, soup, sour cream, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese. Stir till well.
- Pan: Spread into a 9×13 pan and top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.
- Melt: Melt the remaining 4 Tablespoons of butter and mix with the crushed cornflakes or bread crumbs. Sprinkle on top of the potatoes
- Bake: Bake for 50-60 min at 350 degrees till bubbly and cooked throughout.
Why Are They Called Funeral Potatoes?
- What’s in a Name: As the name suggests, this cheesy potato comfort food is traditionally served at a meal for the grieving family following a funeral. Most commonly known as Funeral Potatoes in the western and southern United States they are also known as a Cheesy Potato Casserole. They’re popular at gatherings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and are often served at their funerals and other functions.
- Why Funerals: Besides cheese and potatoes being an ultimate comfort food and just delicious, they are easy to transport, easy to make, and easy to keep warm. Perfect for a potluck and a time of need.
- The Little Black Dress of Side Dishes: A big helping of cheesy potatoes goes with just about any main dish, making it a very versatile dish. Dress it up or dress it down for the occasion. From Christmas, to birthdays, to funerals, it’s the perfect side attraction. Trust me these will go fast!
Tips for The Best Funeral Potatoes
- Make Ahead: These are one of those wonderful dishes you can make ahead. Make as directed but do not put the cornflake or bread crumb topping on. Refrigerate till ready to bake. Remove from the fridge and let come to room temperature, if you have time. Mix up the topping put on top and cook as directed.
- Potatoes: Shredded potatoes as well as country style hash browns (cubed potatoes) will work in this recipe. I like the shredded best.
- Bake Your Own Potatoes: Make your own hash browns by parboiling 12 small potatoes and grating them once cooled.
- To Top or Not to Top: You can leave the topping off if you prefer. The crunchy topping does go soggy if you have leftovers. So if you know you will have leftovers you might want to leave it off. Either way it’s still amazing!
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. They are almost even better the next day!
- Make it a Meal: Add in diced ham, chicken or bacon and turn this side dish into the main dish!
