Believe it or not, “Funeral Potatoes” is not actually the technical name for this dish–it’s usually something like Cheesy Potato Casserole. But these are often found served with ham on Easter dinner tables as well as luncheons following funerals which, not shockingly, is how they got their name in certain circles. You can serve this as a main dish (kind of like mac and cheese, right?) with a salad and fruit or serve it alongside pot roast, ham, or roasted chicken. The funeral is totally optional. If you’ve never tried them, be prepared for these creamy, cheesy potatoes to disappear very quickly!
Ingredients Needed
This is just a preview of ingredients and method, keep scrolling for full printable recipe.
- Onion
- Fresh garlic
- Butter – Use real butter.
- Frozen hash brown potatoes
- Sour cream – Full fat is best.
- Cream of chicken soup
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Topping of choice – Crushed cornflakes, seasoned bread crumbs, crushed potato chips, crushed crackers, or more cheese!
How to Make Funeral Potatoes
- First you’ll melt some butter and sauté your onions and garlic.
- While the onions and garlic are sautéing, combine together the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, salt, and pepper.
- Combine the sautéed onions and garlic with a bag of thawed hash brown potatoes, the sour cream mixture, and the cheese. Transfer to a 9×13 baking dish.
- You can bake these potatoes as is, or sprinkle with corn flakes, cracker crumbs, or extra cheese before baking. I prefer topping with cheese or leaving them plain, as the other options become soggy on leftovers.
Storing and Other Tips
- Store cooled leftover funeral potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 4-5 days for best results.
- If you’d like to save dishes, prepare these potatoes in a cast iron skillet or other pan that can go from stovetop to oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Feel free to prep these potatoes a day ahead of time. They will need a few extra minutes in the oven if baking directly from the refrigerator.
You can freeze funeral potatoes for up to 3 months, before or after baking. Leave the toppings off if you plan to freeze. Thaw your pan in the refrigerator overnight before baking or reheating.
Funeral Potatoes
Equipment
- 9×13 baking dish optional
Ingredients
- 1 onion, small-medium diced
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1-2 tablespoons butter
- 1 28-30 ounce bag hash brown potatoes shredded, thawed
- 1 16-ounce container sour cream
- 1 10-ounce can cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese about 2 cups, shredded
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- crushed cornflakes, seasoned bread crumbs, crushed potato chips, or crushed Ritz or saltine crackers optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. In a large skillet (or 12" cast iron skillet), melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant. Remove from heat.
- Add the thawed hash browns, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, cheese, salt, and pepper and combine well. Add additional salt and pepper if necessary.
- If not baking in the skillet, spread the mixture into a 9×13" (or similar) dish and bake for 50-60 minutes or until the casserole is hot in the center and the cheese is bubbly throughout. Serve as a main dish with a salad and fruit or alongside roasted ham, turkey, chicken, or beef.
Notes
- Store cooled leftover funeral potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 4-5 days for best results.
- If you’d like to save dishes, prepare these potatoes in a cast iron skillet or other pan that can go from stovetop to oven.
- The comment section on this recipe is filled with interesting and delicious variations, such as adding green onions, different types of toppings, and unique seasonings. If you’re looking for a new spin on this recipe, take a look!
Nutrition
Questions & Reviews
We like to call these “CELEBRATION POTATOES”. For the longest time we called them funeral potatoes as well, but then we realized even a funeral is a good family get together and ‘”funeral potatoes” sounds so dreadful. But, same yummry recipe we all love! 🙂
My mom makes the BEST funeral potatoes I have ever had. Since I have been spoiled for so long… everytime I try someone elses it just never compares… Her secret is red potatoes. They stay moist. The other biggest complaint I have of other funeral potatoes I have tried is being undercooked. I am sure your version is super yummy since I have never made one of your recipes that I didn’t like. THANKS for all the great recipes… 🙂
I make these all the time! LOVE THEM! I always requested from my Mom after I had a baby! 🙂 We use boiled potatoes cubed and cream of celery soup! These are going on next weeks menu!
For a main dish, I put diced ham in them and sprinkle French Fried Onions on top. It is awesome.
Sounds good and I think I’ve had cheesy potatoes before when I was younger
We call them Mormon Potatoes or Funeral Potatoes – and everyone calls them YUMMO! I also agree that they must be served as a side dish with Spiral Ham. I make mine slightly different – throw the frozen shredded hash browns in a 9×13. Then heat just the sauce (butter, onions, garlic, cheese, sour cream, & cream of mushroom). Once heated, pour over frozen hashbrowns & mix together. I also agree that the topping is not great for leftovers, so we usually only put the topping (cornflakes) on 1/2.
Theres nothing like good old funeral potatoes…. they seem to come out quite often when our family gets together.
Love them
This is a favourite at our house with ham and homemade baked beans (although we don’t associate it with dead people – we call it Cottage Potatoes). Like you, I think there’s a time and place for canned soup in recipes. This is one of them. 🙂 I also love that it’s so easy, feeds a crowd and can be made ahead of time.
I’m so glad that the funeral is optional! I’m planning on making these for Easter!
These looks so good. This is my favorite side with ham! It is getting me all excited for Easter dinner.
I have seen many versions of this dish in the last year or so…weird…but I have never ever ever seen it referred to as Funeral Potatoes! LOL! Good food, bad name.