The Best Funeral Potatoes Recipe for a Cheesy Potatoes Side Dish (2024)

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Here is a traditional and delicious recipe for funeral potatoes. This potato dish is cheesy and creamy, with a crunchy cornflake topping. It is the ULTIMATE comfort food!

You know a recipe is going to be good when it comes from a little old lady at a church potluck. This is a popular casserole dish that is great for feeding a large crowd, whether it be a potluck or family gathering. This party potatoes dish is great for picnics and holidays, too. Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner will thank you for making this amazing side.

If you are looking for more side dishes like this, try an easy pasta side dish, a cold side salad, or a delicious vegetable side dish.

This funeral potatoes recipe is such a guilty pleasure, it is loaded with carbs and cheese. YUM! The best cheesy potatoes are warm and creamy, and they are topped with a buttery, crispy corn flake topping.Using mostly pantry items, this is also a great stockpile recipe.

The Best Funeral Potatoes Recipe for a Cheesy Potatoes Side Dish (1)

Table of Contents hide

1 Funeral Potatoes Ingredients

2 How to Make Funeral Potatoes

3 Recipe Tips

4 Variations and Substitutions

5 FAQs

6 Serving Suggestions

8 Funeral Potatoes

Funeral Potatoes Ingredients

This recipe uses a lot of ingredients that are already in your pantry. To make this cheesy potatoes side dish, you will need the following ingredients (print the recipe card below for exact amounts and directions):

  • Butter
  • Sour cream: I would not use light sour cream for this recipe.Do NOT use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
  • Cream of chicken soup
  • Salt
  • Onion powder
  • Cheddar cheese: I like to use sharp cheddar for more flavor
  • Frozen hash browns: cubed potatoes or diced, not shredded hash brown potatoes
  • Corn flakes: I don’t normally buy cereal so I always have leftovers. You can also use this ingredient to make Cornflake Chicken.
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How to Make Funeral Potatoes

Making this hash brown casserole is really easy. All you have to do is mix and bake!

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Combine the ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, salt, and onion powder. Stir in the cheese and thawed diced hashbrowns. Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch glass baking dish greased with non-stick cooking spray.
  3. Make the topping. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ½ cup of melted butter and crushed cornflakes. Stir until the cornflakes are coated in the butter. Spoon the cornflake topping over the casserole.
  4. Bake in the oven. Bake in an uncovered casserole dish for 45 minutes until it is bubbly and golden brown around the edges. Cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
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Recipe Tips

If you ever see a recipe that calls for butter, always go for unsalted butter. You can always add salt later if it needs it, but you can’t take out salt!

The best way to crush corn flakes is to pour them into a plastic bag and then press down gently with your hand.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Toppings. You can also use crushed potato chips for the crunchy topping, or crushed ritz crackers, or even bread crumbs. Or, leave the topping off entirely. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
  • Cream soup. Don’t have canned cream of chicken soup? Try cream of mushroom soup.
  • Added veggies. Add green onions for more flavor and color. You can cook them in with the hash browns, or just sprinkle green onions on top. Also, try adding1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced.
  • Seasonings. Add black pepper to taste.
  • Meat. Add in diced ham or chicken to make this a main dish. YUM!
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FAQs

Why Are They Called Funeral Potatoes?

This hash brown casserole is called funeral potatoes because it is commonly served at after-funeral dinners in the Midwest and among the LDS church (Latter-Day Saints aka Mormon). Funeral potatoes can also be assembled beforehand and refrigerated until you need to bring it to the church kitchen for cooking.

Can I Use Real Potatoes?

Yes, you can use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns. You will need to parboil them first. I recommend using small potatoes so they boil faster. 10 small potatoes boiled for 2 minutes should be enough. Dice them up and they are ready to go.

Can I Make this Recipe Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can make funeral potatoes ahead of time in a casserole dish and put it in the fridge overnight, but wait to add the cornflake crust until you are ready to bake it so that the cornflakes do not get soggy in the fridge.

Can I Freeze Funeral Potatoes?

You can freeze funeral potatoes before you bake them, but without the cornflake topping. Just thaw when you are ready to bake, add the topping, and bake in the prepared baking dish. Bake time make take longer if not thawed all the way.

How to Reheat Funeral Potatoes

The best way to reheat this recipe is to put your induvial serving on a plate and reheat in the microwave until heated through. I don’t like to reheat the whole dish if I am not going to eat it all at once. The act of heating and cooling food over and over can compromise it.

Can I Make This for a Crowd?

You can easily make this recipe to feed a crowd. Double, triple, or quadruple – just make sure you have enough pans! Traveling? This recipe cooks perfectly in disposable aluminum foil trays.

Serving Suggestions

Funeral potatoes are an easy side dish to make for any comfort food dinner. My favorite thing to serve with funeral potatoes is a hearty main meat dish, like ham or pot roast.

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More Delicious Party Potatoes Recipes

It is hard to choose which potato recipe to make as a side dish, but why not make 2 or more? Potatoes are such a staple, you really can’t go wrong, no matter how you make them.

  • Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
  • Loaded Baked Potato Casserole
  • Twice Baked Potatoes
  • Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
  • Oven Roasted Red Potatoes
  • Creamy Sausage Potato Soup

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Funeral Potatoes

Author: Emily Pecoraro

Here is a traditional and delicious recipe for funeral potatoes. This potato casserole side dish is cheesy and creamy.

4.42 from 326 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Cooling Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Side Dishes

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 360 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup butter melted
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 24 ounces frozen hash browns cubed or diced (not shredded), thawed

For the crunchy topping:

  • ½ cup butter melted (1 stick)
  • 3 cups corn flakes slightly crushed

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the 1/3 cup melted butter, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, salt, and onion powder.

  • Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and thawed diced hash browns.

  • Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch glass baking dish greased with non-stick cooking spray.

  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ½ cup of melted butter and crushed corn flakes. Stir until the corn flakes are coated in the butter.

  • Spoon the corn flake mixture over the casserole.

  • Bake the casserole uncovered for 45 minutes until it is bubbly and golden brown around the edges.

  • Cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 8gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 668mgPotassium: 253mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 992IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 186mgIron: 3mg

The nutrition information is calculated using online nutrition calculators and may not be accurate. It is provided as a general guide only.

Tried this recipe?Mention @emilyenchantedfood or tag #emilyenchanted!

The recipe and photos contained herein are the property of Emily Enchanted© and may not be copied.

The Best Funeral Potatoes Recipe for a Cheesy Potatoes Side Dish (2024)

FAQs

What can you use instead of corn flakes on cheesy potatoes? ›

Topping Alternatives

While crushed cornflake cereal is the traditional topping, there are many others you could try, depending on your preferences. Here are a few ideas: Crushed Ritz crackers (about 40 crackers, crushed) Crushed potato chips (about 2 cups crushed)

What are funeral potatoes made of? ›

Ingredients For Funeral Potatoes

Funeral potatoes accommodate numerous substitutions, but all include potatoes as a base ingredient. Most include cheese, a cream-based soup, onions, butter, and a flaky, crunchy topping, which is usually made of potato chips or cornflakes. Some include additions of ham or other meats.

Is funeral potatoes a Mormon thing? ›

Commonly served after LDS funerals, this cheesy potato casserole is the ultimate comfort food. If you've ever encountered Mormon funeral potatoes, you can attest that the salty, crispy, cheesy casserole is one of the most oddly satisfying creations that exists in America — nay, the world.

What can I substitute for sour cream in cheesy potatoes? ›

What can you substitute for sour cream in cheesy potatoes? Plain yogurt (or plain Greek yogurt), Mexican crema, or crème fraîche are all good substitutes for sour cream.

What state is known for funeral potatoes? ›

What state is known for funeral potatoes? The Beehive State is known for funeral potatoes. Like green jell-o and ambrosia salad, funeral potatoes are a beloved food among Utahns. There was even a pin illustrating funeral potatoes that circulated when Salt Lake City hosted the Olympic Games in 2002.

What is traditional funeral food? ›

Main course: A funeral reception is not the time for a sit-down meal, but you should still have a main course option. Popular choices include cold cuts, pasta dishes, and casseroles. Dessert: No funeral reception is complete without dessert. Serve a variety of sweets, such as cookies, cakes, and fruit.

Why are funeral potatoes called funeral potatoes? ›

It is called "funeral" potatoes because it is commonly served as a side dish during traditional after-funeral dinners, but it is also served at potlucks, and other social gatherings, sometimes with different names.

What is the real name for funeral potatoes? ›

Funeral Potatoes are known by many a name ... Cheesy Potatoes, Heavenly Potatoes, or Hash Brown Casserole, just to name a few. Funeral Potato with Real Potatoes are a serious comfort food! I have always loved these potatoes more than any other kind of potato recipe.

Are funeral potatoes the same as au gratin? ›

There's never a bad time to try your hand at whipping up this dish. You can put together this comforting cheesy potatoes recipe to serve as the perfect introduction to funeral potatoes. Essentially they're the same as a hash brown casserole or a dressed-up version of au gratin potatoes.

Are scalloped potatoes and funeral potatoes the same thing? ›

Both dishes are associated with special occasions such as holidays, celebrations, and even funerals. A scalloped potato casserole topped with cheese is also known as 'funeral potatoes' in parts of North America.

What is the mercy meal after a funeral? ›

The Mearcy meal is a lunch offered to mourners after a funeral. Volunteers provide a warm hospitable setting where family and friends can enjoy one another's company and celebrate with fond memories the life of their departed loved one.

What do Mormons eat at funerals? ›

In many communities, close family members and friends gather at the church after the funeral to share a meal prepared by the women's Relief Society. Ham or turkey is served with potatoes, salad, and rolls, followed by dessert.

Can you go to a Mormon funeral if you are not Mormon? ›

Can I attend the funeral if I'm not Mormon? The reason why you might be concerned about this is that non-Mormons aren't allowed inside Mormon temples. In many cases, Mormon funerals are open to everyone, regardless of their faith, since they usually aren't held in temples.

What can I substitute for crushed corn flakes? ›

pretzels (crushed) can be substituted for cornflake crumbs.

What can you use instead of corn flakes for breading? ›

Cornflakes are classic breading material, but any grain-based, not-too-sweet cereal works great as a stand-in for traditional breadcrumbs. Corn or rice Chex, Wheaties, and even savory granola and oat-based cereals would make a great crust for your chicken breast or fish filets.

What can I use instead of dehydrated potato flakes? ›

For dredging something to fry, wheat flour, panko crumbs, bread crumbs, corn starch, fine corn meal or masa, any nut flour or grain flour. Cornstarch: Itis a worthy substitute for potato flakes if you're in a pinch.

Can you substitute breadcrumbs for cornflakes? ›

Cornflakes. Most unsweetened cereal works well as a bread crumb substitute, but cornflakes are our favorite — especially when we're making chicken! Cornflakes have a delicate flavor and an ultra-crispy texture. The easiest way to turn them into crumbs is to place them into a large bag and crush them with a rolling pin.

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