Cheesy Funeral Potatoes (Hash Brown Casserole)
These tasty funeral potatoes are the best potluck side dish! This cheesy hash brown potato casserole with a crunchy cornflake topping is always a family favorite.
This cheesy potato casserole recipe has gone by many names over the years! Party potatoes, Amish funeral potatoes, frozen hash brown casserole… you name it. If the name of this classic potato casserole recipe gives you pause, I think that’s a totally reasonable reaction. But, don’t worry!
This cheesy potatoes recipe was a staple at after-funeral luncheons here in the Midwest. Luckily, they’re now just a dish that we like to serve on special occasions when you’re feeding a crowd. Like during the holidays or at a barbecue.
I like to think of funeral potatoes as the easy version of au gratin potatoes! I won’t turn either of them down, but I’m more likely to make this recipe because of how quickly it comes together thanks to the frozen hash browns.
PS- This is NOT a mashed potato casserole, it’s more of a cheesy hash brown casserole! If that’s what you’re looking for, check out my Twice Baked Loaded Potato Casserole!
This casserole is truly the ultimate comfort food! For the dish, I combined onions, condensed soup, sour cream, butter and seasonings to make the base for the cheesy sauce. This sauce is combined with frozen hash browns and shredded cheese, then baked in a baking dish until it’s golden and bubbly.
The result? A rich, cheesy potato recipe that is so easy to throw together for family dinners or potlucks!
For the buttery topping, I combined melted butter and crushed corn flakes. I think funeral potatoes really need a crunchy topping!
But, there are plenty of substitutions if you don’t want to buy corn flakes, like Ritz crackers or potato chips! I have them all listed below.
Funeral Potatoes Ingredient Substitutions
I think the best recipe is the one that uses what you already have on hand at home! Here are a few ingredient substitutions you can make for this cheesy hashbrowns recipe:
- Substitute cream of celery soup or cream of mushroom soup for the cream of chicken soup.
- Substitute plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
- Instead of the corn flakes, substitute plain crushed potato chips, crushed Ritz crackers, panko breadcrumbs or Italian breadcrumbs.
- You have total flexibility as to what type of cheese you use! Instead of cheddar, use Monterey jack cheese, mozzarella, Italian blend or Mexican blend. Or even add extra bite by using sharp cheddar cheese. The type of cheese used is absolutely your personal preference.
- Substitute frozen diced potatoes (thawed) for the frozen hash browns.
- Yes, you can use fresh shredded potatoes, but you may need to add an extra 5-10 minutes of baking time to get them cooked through.
- Remember that you can use aluminum foil to tent the top of the casserole and keep the cornflake topping from burning if needed!
- I have substituted softened cream cheese for the condensed soup in other recipes, and it works pretty well! Know that if you do this, you’ll be lacking the seasonings added to the prepared soup. So, increase your spices just a bit!
If you are worried about oven space, you can absolutely make this easy recipe in your crockpot!
Cook the potato mixture on low for 6 hours. Add the cornflake topping and continue to cook with the lid of the slow cooker off for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will help some of the liquid evaporate out of the dish.
Serving Suggestions for Hash Brown Funeral Potatoes
This Funeral Potatoes recipe is the perfect side dish for holiday dinners or family gatherings like Christmas or Easter. Hopefully, no funeral required.
For holidays like Easter, I recommend serving this popular dish along impressive main dishes like Smoked Leg of Lamb, Whole Smoked Turkey, Smoked Spiral Ham or Roasted Pork Tenderloin.
If you need another great side dish to pair with this recipe, I recommend my green bean casserole, pineapple casserole, cream cheese corn casserole, cream cheese deviled eggs or sweet potato casserole.
If you’re making this for Easter, don’t forget dessert! I love this adorable Marshmallow Peeps Ice Cream, Carrot Bundt Cake or Sourdough Carrot Cake, and my Peanut Butter Egg Easter Brownies.
Storing Leftover Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
Cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap, or transfer the leftover casserole into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
I think this casserole is best when reheated in the oven, but you can absolutely reheat in the microwave when you’re in a pinch!
I really hope that you enjoy this easy potato casserole recipe! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it went in the comments below.
Cheesy Funeral Potatoes (Hash Brown Casserole)
Ingredients
- 12 ounces sour cream
- 10.5 ounces Cream of Chicken soup
- 1/3 cup onions, chopped, fresh or frozen
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 cup butter, melted, divided
- 30 ounces frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
- 12 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1.5 cups corn flakes, crushed
Optional garnish:
- Diced green onions or parsley, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven for 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grease a 9×13’’ casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Pat thawed shredded hashbrown potatoes with a paper towel to remove excess water.
- In a large bowl, add sour cream, canned soup, onions, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and ½ cup of the melted butter. Stir well to combine.
- Add shredded potatoes and shredded cheese to the sour cream mixture. Stir well to coat the potatoes.
- Transfer the shredded potato and cheese mixture to the greased casserole dish. Smooth into an even layer using a spatula.
- In a small bowl, mix the crushed cornflake and remaining ¼ cup of melted butter (about 4 tablespoons). Spoon the butter and corn flake topping over the top of the potato mixture.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until the corn flake topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.
- Allow to rest at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving. Optionally, garnish with fresh diced chives or parsley for extra color.
This came out absolutely delicious. I found several similar recipes online, but only this one actually called for the onion instead of just onion powder, and I think that made a big difference. Highly recommend this!
I’m so glad you liked it! I agree taking the time with the onions makes a big difference.