What are funeral potatoes?

Funeral potatoes are a beloved American casserole dish made with shredded or diced potatoes (often frozen hash browns), a creamy sauce (typically made from cream of chicken soup and sour cream), cheddar cheese, and a crunchy topping, usually cornflakes or crushed potato chips. They are traditionally served at gatherings, including potlucks, holidays, and yes, sometimes after funeral services, hence the name.

Can I make funeral potatoes ahead of time?

Absolutely! Funeral potatoes are an excellent make-ahead dish. You can assemble the entire casserole, including the potato and creamy mixture, up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly and refrigerate. Add the cornflake topping just before baking to ensure it stays crispy. You may need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.

What can I substitute for cream of chicken soup?

If you don't have cream of chicken soup, you can use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup as a direct substitute. For a homemade alternative, you can prepare a simple bu00e9chamel sauce (a roux with milk) and season it well, though this will add a bit more prep time to your funeral potatoes recipe.

How do I prevent my cornflake topping from burning?

To prevent the cornflake topping from burning while the casserole cooks through, you can loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil for the first 30-40 minutes of baking. Remove the foil for the last 15-20 minutes to allow the topping to crisp up and turn golden brown. Also, ensure your oven temperature is accurate.

Funeral Potatoes Recipe: 12 Steps to the Best Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole

Name: Classic Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 lbs (about 1.5 kg) frozen shredded or diced hash browns, unthawed; 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted, divided; 1 (10.5 oz / 298g) can cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom for vegetarian); 1 cup (240g) sour cream; 2 cups (226g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided; 2 cups (80g) cornflakes, crushed

Description

This classic funeral potatoes recipe is the ultimate creamy, cheesy hash brown casserole, perfect for potlucks, holidays, or any meal that calls for a comforting side. With a crispy cornflake topping and a rich potato base, it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs (about 1.5 kg) frozen shredded or diced hash browns, unthawed
1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted, divided
1 (10.5 oz / 298g) can cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom for vegetarian)
1 cup (240g) sour cream
2 cups (226g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
2 cups (80g) cornflakes, crushed

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the unthawed frozen hash browns, 1/4 cup (56g) of the melted butter, the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and 1 1/2 cups (170g) of the shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 3: Gently mix all the ingredients until the hash browns are evenly coated with the creamy, cheesy mixture.
Step 4: Pour the mixture into the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish and spread evenly.
Step 5: For the topping, in a separate small bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes and the remaining 1/4 cup (56g) of melted butter. Stir until the cornflakes are well coated.
Step 6: Sprinkle the buttered cornflake mixture evenly over the top of the potato mixture in the baking dish. If desired, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup (56g) of shredded cheddar cheese over the cornflakes for extra cheesiness.
Step 7: Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown.
Step 8: If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover the casserole with aluminum foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
Step 9: Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set slightly, making it easier to serve.

Notes

For an even richer flavor, add 4 ounces of softened cream cheese to the potato mixture. If you prefer a less crunchy topping, you can omit the cornflakes or use crushed potato chips instead. This dish can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated; add the topping just before baking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Casseroles & Bakes
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 200g)
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 10g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

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