Funeral potatoes are an easy, delicious and cheesy side dish to serve for any meal, office potluck, football tailgate, holiday gather and so much more!
My mom has been serving Funeral Potatoes (also know as cheesy potatoes, party potatoes and cheesy potato casserole) every holiday since I was a kid. They are by far my favorite side dish to serve with any meal or holiday party. Now, as an adult, it has become one of my families favorite holiday recipes, too.
What’s not to love? This funeral potatoes recipe is made with frozen cubed potatoes, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, fresh seasonings and loads of sharp cheddar cheese. It’s pure comfort food!
WHY WE LOVE CHEESY POTATO CASSEROLE:
- This creamy cheesy potato casserole is so easy to make
- It can be made ahead of time for parties and family gatherings
- This easy recipe makes an awesome leftover (we think cheesy potatoes taste even better the next day)
- It’s a freezer friendly meal (simply add them to your serving dish without the cornflake topping, cover or store in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months
- They are kid-approved
WHAT ARE FUNERAL POTATOES?
Funeral potatoes are an easy, delicious and cheesy side dish to serve for any meal, family dinner, office potluck, football tailgate, holiday gather and so much more!
WHY ARE THEY CALLED FUNERAL POTATOES?
They are often called funeral potatoes as they are a quick, easy and tasty dish people can bring to a funeral lunchoen or gathering after someone’s passing. As we mentioned above, they can be easily pulled together and frozen for a family in need.
VARIATIONS FOR FUNERAL POTATOES:
There are a number of variations you can add or substitute in this cheesy potato casserole. Here are just a few of our favorites:
- POTATOES – We used frozen Ore Ida Potatoes O’Brien with onions and green peppers. However, you can also use shredded frozen hash browns, as well.
- TOPPINGS: We prefer to use crushed cornflakes, but you can also use crushed Ritz Crackers or even potato chips.
- CHEESY POTATO CASSEROLE ADDITIONS – While we typically serve this family favorite recipe as stated below, we have also added veggies like broccoli and cauliflower and meats like chicken and bacon.
- CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP – If you don’t happen to be a fan of cream of chicken soup, we have also used cream of mushroom soup which is delicious, as well.
CAN YOU MAKE FUNERAL POTATOES IN ADVANCE?
They most certainly can! In fact, it’s one of my favorite weeknight or holiday recipes to make over the weekend and freeze for the week or holiday ahead. See below for how to store and freeze, if preferred.
To make ahead of time, cover your casserole dish with aluminum foil and place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days – minus the cornflake topping. Once you are ready to serve, add the cornflake topping and place them in the oven as instructed below.
CAN YOU FREEZE FUNERAL POTATOES?
Yes and yes! Store this cheesy casserole in a freezer safe container or baking dish covered with aluminum foil or casserole lid minus the cornflake toppings. This hash brown casserole will remain fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to serve, remove the baking dish from the freezer, top the cheesy casserole with crushed cornflakes and pop them in the over or slow cooker per the instructions below.
CAN I USE FRESH POTATOES INSTEAD OF FROZEN?
Yes, if you prefer to use fresh potatoes you can certainly do so. Clean and peel your potatoes then chop them into small squares. Because you are using fresh potaotes, I would recommend decreasing the cook time to 25 to 30 minutes or until the potatoes have slightly softened and cheese has melted.
CAN I REHEAT FUNERAL POTATOES?
Definitely! In fact, we think funeral potatoes are even better the next day as leftovers. Scoop a portion onto a microwave safe plate, reheat for 1 minute and stir to mix the cheese and potatoes together. Place back in the microwave for another 30 second or until you have reached your desired temperature.
CAN FUNERAL POTATOES BE MADE IN A CROCK POT?
Yes they can be! We have provided instuctions for you below regarding how to make cheesy potatoes in your Crock Pot as well as your oven.
INGREDIENTS FOR FUNERAL POTATOES
- 1 28 ounce bag frozen cubed hash browns or potatoes (we used Ore Ida Potatoes O’Brien with onions and green peppers. You can also use shredded hash brown potatoes)
- 1 16 ounce container sour cream
- 1 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup (you can also use cream of mushroom soup)
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- 2 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2-3 cups crushed cornflakes (you can also use crushed Ritz Crackers or Lays potato chips, if preferred)
HOW TO MAKE FUNERAL POTATOES:
IN THE OVEN:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish or pan with non-stick cooking spray. Add frozen cubed hash brown potatoes and melted butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, add sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar, onion powdered, garlic powder, salt and cream of chicken soup and mix until well combined.
- Add mixture evenly to the top of your frozen potatoes in you casserole dish. Top with additional shredded cheese, if desired.
- Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. When 20 minutes have passed, add crushed cornflakes and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes. Add any additional salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
CROCK POT:
- Spray the bottom of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker with the exception of 1 cup of cheese. Stir together, cover your slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5 hours or potatoes are tender.
- Turn off your slow cooker, remove the lid and add remaining cheese. Cover your slow cooker for 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted. Add any additional salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
LOOKING FOR OTHER DELICIOUS DINNER RECIPES & SIDES? HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR READER FAVORITES:
- Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta With Shrimp
- Instant Pot Meatball Stroganoff
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta + Giveaway!
- Creamy Broccoli Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Creamy Parmesan Garlic Brussel Sprouts
- Instant Pot Tortellini Soup {Vegan Recipe Included}
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Funeral Potatoes | Easy & Delicious
SERVES/MAKES: 6 people
Ingredients:
- 1 28 ounce bag frozen cubed hash browns or potatoes (we used Ore Ida Potatoes O'Brien with onions and green peppers. You can also use shredded hash brown potatoes)
- 1 16 ounce container sour cream
- 1 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup (you can also use cream of mushroom soup)
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- 2 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2-3 cups crushed cornflakes (you can also use crushed Ritz Crackers or Lays potato chips, if preferred)
Instructions:
IN THE OVEN
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a 9x13 baking dish or pan with non-stick cooking spray. Add frozen cubed hash brown potatoes and melted butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, add sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar, onion powdered, garlic powder, salt and cream of chicken soup and mix until well combined.
- Add mixture evenly to the top of your frozen potatoes in you casserole dish. Top with additional shredded cheese, if desired.
- Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. When 20 minutes have passed, add crushed cornflakes and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes. Add any additional salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
CROCK POT:
- Spray the bottom of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker with the exception of 1 cup of cheese. Stir together, cover your slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5 hours or potatoes are tender.
- Turn off your slow cooker, remove the lid and add remaining cheese. Cover your slow cooker for 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted. Add any additional salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
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