Best Funeral Potatoes have kinda saved my tail at more than one family get-together. Honestly, who hasn’t had to scramble for the perfect dish to bring to a potluck, church supper, or gosh, even an actual funeral lunch? Something everyone’ll eat but that’s not super boring. This cheesy potato casserole nails it, every single time. If you love finding family-style favorites (like this easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe—it’s a lifesaver too), you’re in the right spot.
What Are Funeral Potatoes?
Okay, so the name is a bit weird, right? I’ll admit it confused me at first. Funeral Potatoes aren’t just for funerals; they’re basically a cheesy, creamy potatoes casserole that somehow turns potatoes plus a few pantry staples into pure magic. They’re called ‘funeral’ potatoes because in places like Utah and Idaho (lots of Mormon or Latter-day Saint families there), it’s the go-to comfort food at potlucks and yes, gatherings after funerals.
They’ve got that creamy, smooth vibe from sour cream and cream of chicken soup, with strings of melty cheese and a super-crunchy topping—sometimes made with cornflakes, sometimes with chips. (I’ve seen people get downright passionate about whether Lays or cornflakes are “correct.”) Everyone’s grandma has a different version, but honestly, they’re all downright heavenly.
You’ll see ‘Recettes Funeral potatoes’ or ‘Pioneer Woman Funeral potatoes’ floating around online, but at the core? It’s all about coziness, carbs, and cheese.
How to Make Funeral Potatoes
This isn’t one of those tricky recipes that leaves you sweating or hunting for weird ingredients. Nope, making this potatoes casserole is super forgiving.
First thing, grab a bag of frozen hash brown potatoes (yep, the diced kind—shredded works but I swear by the little cubes). Thaw ’em out if you remember, but if not, toss ’em in frozen and bake a bit longer. You’ll mix them with sour cream, a can of cream of chicken soup, a whole lotta shredded cheese, some melted butter, and just a dash of salt and pepper. I sometimes add a little onion powder, personal quirk.
Spread that glorious goo in your baking dish. The crunchy topping is what sets it off—most folks swear by cornflakes mixed with melted butter, but Funeral potatoes with Lays chips are extra decadent in my family. Bake till everything’s hot, melty, and golden on top.
If you want to jazz things up, you can find a few variations (I’ve even seen bacon sprinkled in, but shh, don’t tell the purists). This works for any party or holiday and even the pickiest toddler will shovel it in.
| Ingredient | Measurement | Tips/Substitutes | Flavor Boost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen hash browns | 30 oz bag | Diced or shredded | Add a pinch of garlic powder |
| Cream of chicken soup | 1 can (10.5 oz) | Swap for cream of mushroom if veggie | Use homemade for rich flavor |
| Sour cream | 2 cups | Greek yogurt works too | Stir in a dash of hot sauce |
| Cheese | 2 cups, shredded | Sharp cheddar rocks | Mix in a little pepper jack |
Can You Make Funeral Potatoes Ahead of Time?
Absolutely, thank goodness. This is honestly why it’s a favorite with giant families—Mormon funeral potatoes recipe is basically the answer to “How do I make a crowd happy with minimal effort?” You can totally assemble the whole thing a day early. Don’t put the crunchy topping on, though (unless you weirdly enjoy soggy chips). Wrap up tight and tuck into the fridge.
Then, let it sit out a bit so it’s not fridge-cold. Add your topping and bake. If you have leftovers, pop a piece in the microwave for a quick lunch—I do it way more often than I’d like to admit. So yes, future-you will thank present-you for planning ahead.
I made this for our church potluck and somehow ended up with zero leftovers. My “secret” is letting it sit in the fridge overnight so the flavors blend—everyone raved about the topping! Seriously the best Funeral Potatoes ever.
— Michelle from Des Moines
How to Store Funeral Potatoes
Let’s be real, this dish feeds an army. If you somehow don’t eat it all, leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to four days, snug under plastic wrap or in an airtight dish. Be sure to cool the cheesy potatoes before sticking in the fridge (food safety and all that). When you’re ready to eat more—because you will—just reheat in the microwave or cover with foil and warm up in the oven so it doesn’t get dried out.
You could even freeze the unbaked casserole, skipping the topping, and save it for another crazy week. Defrost in the fridge overnight, topping added before baking. Trust me, your future self will love you for this little trick.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Funeral potatoes aren’t exactly health food… but honestly, they’re worth every bite for special occasions. Here’s a ballpark look at what you’ll be eating per serving:
- Calories: About 340
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 660mg
Of course, these numbers juggle around if you swap ingredients or double the cheese (I do). Go easy if you’re counting calories, but do not skip out just because of the numbers—sometimes you just need comfort food.
Cheesy potatoes
Recettes Funeral potatoes
Pioneer Woman Funeral potatoes
Funeral potatoes with lays chips
Potatoes casserole
Cheesy potatoes recipe
Mormon funeral potatoes recipe
Funeral potatoes Allrecipes
Trying to find the best recipe? There’s a ton of riffs, including the Cheesy potatoes recipe that piles in more cheese, or the Pioneer Woman Funeral potatoes option—she adds a drizzle of cream and “secret” seasoning for extra oomph. If you like crispy, you can totally top yours with crushed Lays chips and call them ‘Funeral potatoes with lays chips,’ or keep it classic with the old school Potatoes casserole.
For anyone who loves recipe collecting, you’ll find Mormon funeral potatoes recipe ideas all over Pinterest, plus creative spins on Funeral potatoes Allrecipes style (I admit, I read the reviews before making mine…every single time).
But at the end of the day, the regular way—potatoes, sour cream, cream soup, cheese, and a crunchy lid—is what people come back to. No shame if you wanna swap up the cheese or add some bacon bits for a busy night.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve it next to any roasted meat—ham or turkey is just chef’s kiss with these potatoes.
- Quick side for brunch: Top with a fried egg or sausage gravy.
- Double it for a church potluck or holiday meal, but make two pans ’cause it will disappear fast!
- For picky eaters, throw on more cheese instead of onions or fancy stuff.
Common Questions
Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?
Sure, peel and dice ’em small, but it takes waaay longer. Frozen is my sanity-saver for a reason.
Is it safe to leave Funeral Potatoes out overnight?
Nope. Don’t risk it, friend! Stick the leftovers in the fridge within two hours.
Can I use low-fat or dairy-free options?
Yeah, but go with full-fat if you want five-star restaurant flavor. Dairy-free works in a pinch, though the creaminess takes a little hit.
How do I keep the topping crunchy?
Add the topping right before baking—not before stashing in the fridge. That’s honestly the biggest tip.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Zap them in the microwave or cover with foil and warm in a low oven (helps keep things from drying out).
Let’s Wrap This Up—Your New Family Staple
Alright, if you’re craving the best Funeral Potatoes in town, go run to your kitchen and whip up this dead-simple, super cheesy classic. Nothing beats pulling a bubbling dish from the oven—everybody dives in, and boom, it’s gone in minutes. If you want more inspiration, check out this legit Funeral Potatoes Recipe – Tastes Better From Scratch or scope out a seriously melty Cheesy Funeral Potatoes – Cooking in the Midwest. Now go make some memories—and don’t be surprised when folks start asking for your recipe!
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Funeral Potatoes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A creamy, cheesy potato casserole that’s a favorite at gatherings and potlucks, often topped with a crunchy layer.
Ingredients
- 30 oz frozen hash browns, thawed
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheese (sharp cheddar recommended)
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup cornflakes or crushed Lays chips for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine thawed hash browns, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, shredded cheese, melted butter, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Spread the potato mixture evenly in a greased baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, mix cornflakes (or chips) with a bit of melted butter, and sprinkle over the potato mixture.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until hot and golden brown on top.
Notes
You can assemble the casserole a day in advance. Just wait to add the topping until right before baking. Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to four days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 660mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
