🥔🧀 Funeral Potatoes

Creamy, cheesy, hearty, and wonderfully crunchy on top, these classic Funeral Potatoes are the ultimate comfort-food casserole.

Frozen hash browns are combined with tangy sour cream, cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, onion, and savory seasonings, then baked beneath a buttery golden cornflake topping.

Despite the name, these potatoes are perfect for much more than memorial gatherings—they’re a fantastic side dish for holidays, potlucks, family dinners, brunches, and special occasions.

⏱️ Recipe Information

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 50–60 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8–10
Difficulty: Easy
Method: Oven-Baked Casserole

🛒 Ingredients

For the Potato Casserole

30 oz (850 g) frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
½ large yellow onion, finely diced
2 cups sour cream
1 can (10.5 oz / 298 g) cream of chicken soup

2½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder

For the Crunchy Cornflake Topping

3 cups cornflakes
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Optional Garnishes

Chopped fresh parsley
Sliced green onions
Extra shredded cheddar cheese
A sprinkle of paprika

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Thaw the Hash Browns

Place the frozen hash browns in the refrigerator overnight to thaw.

If you’re short on time, thaw them according to the package directions.

Once thawed, gently squeeze out any excess moisture.

This is important because excess water can make the casserole watery instead of creamy.

2. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch (23 × 33 cm) baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

Set aside.

3. Prepare the Creamy Sauce

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

Sour cream
Cream of chicken soup
Salt
Black pepper
Garlic powder

Stir until smooth and well combined.

4. Add the Cheese and Onion

Add the shredded cheddar cheese and diced yellow onion.

Mix thoroughly so the cheese and onion are evenly distributed throughout the creamy mixture.

5. Add the Hash Browns

Add the thawed hash browns to the bowl.

Using a large spatula, gently fold everything together until the potatoes are completely coated in the creamy cheese mixture.

Try not to mash the potatoes as you mix.

6. Transfer to the Baking Dish

Spoon the potato mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Spread it evenly from edge to edge.

Gently smooth the surface with a spatula.

🌽 Prepare the Crunchy Topping

7. Crush the Cornflakes

Place the cornflakes in a large bowl or zip-top bag.

Crush them lightly with your hands or a rolling pin.

Don’t pulverize them into fine crumbs—you want a mixture of small pieces and flakes for maximum crunch.

8. Add the Butter

Pour the melted butter over the crushed cornflakes.

Toss gently until the cornflakes are evenly coated.

9. Top the Casserole

Sprinkle the buttery cornflakes evenly over the entire surface of the potato casserole.

For an extra cheesy finish, you can sprinkle a little additional cheddar underneath the cornflakes.

🔥 Bake the Funeral Potatoes

10. Bake

Place the casserole in the preheated oven.

Bake uncovered for 50–60 minutes, or until:

The edges are bubbling
The center is hot
The cheese is melted
The cornflake topping is golden and crisp

If the topping begins browning too quickly, loosely cover the casserole with foil for the remainder of the baking time.

11. Rest Before Serving

Remove the casserole from the oven.

Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.

This gives the creamy filling time to settle and makes it easier to scoop.

Garnish with fresh parsley or sliced green onions if desired.

⭐ Chef’s Tips

Thaw the potatoes first: Frozen hash browns can release excess water during baking and make the casserole watery.

Squeeze out moisture: If the thawed potatoes feel particularly wet, gently squeeze them before adding them to the mixture.

Use freshly shredded cheese: It melts more smoothly than many pre-shredded cheeses.

Don’t crush the cornflakes too finely: Larger pieces create a much more satisfying crunchy topping.

Bake uncovered: This allows the topping to become beautifully golden and crisp.

Let it rest: A short resting period helps the casserole hold together when served.

🧀 Easy Variations

Extra Cheesy Funeral Potatoes

Add another ½ cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese to the potato mixture.

Bacon & Cheddar Potatoes

Fold 6–8 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon into the casserole before baking.

Ranch Funeral Potatoes

Add 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning to the creamy mixture.

Spicy Cheesy Potatoes

Add diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne, or red pepper flakes.

Loaded Funeral Potatoes

Add cooked bacon, sliced green onions, extra cheddar, and a little sour cream after baking.

Crispy Onion Topping

Replace some or all of the cornflakes with crispy fried onions for a savory alternative.

🍽️ What to Serve With Funeral Potatoes

These creamy potatoes make an excellent side dish for:

Roast chicken
Turkey
Baked ham
Roast beef
Steak
Pork chops
Grilled chicken
Meatloaf
Holiday roasts

They’re especially good alongside green beans, roasted vegetables, fresh salad, or dinner rolls.

🧊 Storage

Allow leftovers to cool before covering and refrigerating.

Store in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly.

Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.

The cornflake topping will soften slightly after refrigeration but will crisp up again when reheated.

🔥 Reheating

For the best texture, reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15–25 minutes, or until heated through.

Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave, although the topping won’t remain as crisp.

For extra crunch, finish reheated portions under the broiler for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.

❄️ Make-Ahead & Freezing

Make Ahead

Assemble the potato mixture in the baking dish up to 24 hours ahead.

Cover and refrigerate.

Prepare the cornflake topping separately and refrigerate it in an airtight container.

Sprinkle the topping over the casserole just before baking.

Allow the chilled casserole a little extra time in the oven if needed.

Freezing

For best results, freeze the casserole without the cornflake topping.

Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2–3 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, add the fresh cornflake topping, and bake until hot and bubbling.

🥔🧀 Final Result

These Funeral Potatoes are pure comfort food: creamy potatoes, melty cheddar, savory onion, rich sour cream, and a buttery, crunchy cornflake topping.

They’re easy enough for a weeknight dinner but special enough for holidays, potlucks, and family gatherings.

Creamy, cheesy, golden, crunchy, and seriously comforting in every bite! 🥔🧀🌽✨