Easy Funeral Potatoes are a creamy, cheesy, and crispy potato casserole that has earned a place at potlucks, holiday tables, and family gatherings all over America. Despite the solemn name, this dish is pure comfort food—warm, rich, and irresistibly satisfying. Also known as Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole, Party Potatoes, or Church Potatoes, it’s beloved for its flavor, ease, and ability to feed a crowd.
Why Are They Called “Funeral Potatoes”?
The name comes from the tradition of serving this dish at after-funeral luncheons, especially in the LDS (Mormon) community in Utah. Its popularity spread across the U.S. because it’s:
- Easy to make in large quantities
- Affordable and made with pantry/freezer staples
- Comforting and filling during gatherings or difficult times
Easy Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients
- 1 (30 oz) bag frozen shredded or diced hash browns, thawed
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom for vegetarian)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (reserve 2–3 tbsp for topping)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1–2 teaspoons dried minced onion (optional)
- 2 cups crushed cornflakes (or substitute crushed crackers, breadcrumbs, or potato chips)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine sour cream, soup, melted butter (reserve some for topping), cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and onion.
- Fold in thawed hash browns until evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, mix crushed cornflakes with the reserved melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the potato mixture.
- Bake for 40–50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Tips & Variations
- Make Ahead – Assemble (without topping) and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add topping before baking.
- Freezer Friendly – Prepare and freeze before baking for up to 3 months.
- Flavor Boost – Add cooked bacon, diced ham, or green onions for extra flavor.
- Topping Options – Try crushed Ritz crackers, Panko breadcrumbs, or kettle chips for different textures.
- Lighter Version – Use reduced-fat sour cream, light cheese, and cream of chicken soup made from scratch.
Serving Ideas
Funeral Potatoes pair beautifully with:
- Roasted chicken or turkey
- Baked ham
- BBQ ribs or pulled pork
- Fresh green salad or roasted vegetables
