Funeral potatoes are creamy and cheesy potatoes that are topped with buttered cornflakes and baked to golden brown perfection. A super easy casserole that’s perfect for feeding a crowd and always gets rave reviews!

When I’m entertaining, I like to serve a variety of hearty side dishes such as baked mac and cheese, corn casserole and these ultra decadent and delicious funeral potatoes.

A spoon serving up a portion of cheesy funeral potatoes.

If you’ve never tried funeral potatoes, you’re missing out! This dish is the perfect combination of super creamy potatoes with a crispy and buttery topping. I bring these potatoes to every family gathering and there are never any leftovers! This cheesy potato casserole recipe is also popular for holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter.

When you want hearty hearty cooking, try these potatoes or some of my other favorite side dish recipes like zucchini casserole, smashed potatoes, fried corn with bacon or scalloped potatoes.

Funeral Potatoes Ingredients

For these potatoes you will need cubed hash browns, melted butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, onion, garlic powder, onion powder, cheddar cheese, cornflakes, parsley, salt and black pepper.

Potatoes, sour cream, grated cheese and seasonings in a bowl.

How Do You Make Funeral Potatoes?

This funeral potatoes recipe starts when you place thawed, cubed hash browns, butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, seasonings and cheese in a large bowl. Stir gently until you combine all the ingredients. Next, spread the potato mixture into an even layer in a baking dish. Combine crushed cornflakes and butter, then sprinkle the topping over the potatoes. Bake until golden brown, then serve immediately and enjoy.

A mixture of potatoes with cheese and sour cream in a baking dish.

Tips For The Perfect Casserole

  • The cornflakes in this dish should be coarsely crushed. You can achieve this by placing the cereal in a resealable bag and lightly pounding it with a meat mallet or a rolling pin.
  • I recommend using freshly grated cheese for your casserole. The pre-shredded bags of cheese at the grocery store often contain preservatives and anti caking agents and do not melt smoothly.
  • This casserole feeds a crowd, but you can easily halve the recipe and bake it in an 8 or 9 inch square pan for a smaller group.
  • If you want to use fresh potatoes instead of hash browns par-boil the potato cubes before tossing them in with the rest of the ingredients. You can also use refrigerated hash brown cubes.

Quick Tip

Be sure to mince your onion finely for this dish, as you only want small pieces in each bite.

A dish of cheesy potatoes topped with cornflakes.

Recipe FAQs

Why do they call them funeral potatoes?

This dish got its name because people often serve it at gatherings after funerals. This dish is also known as cheesy hash browns, hash brown casserole or cheesy potato casserole. Even though people serve this dish at funerals, these potatoes are also popular for other occasions such as holiday, parties and potlucks.

What state is funeral potatoes from?

Funeral potatoes originated in Utah and are very popular in the surrounding Western and mountain states. One you try them, they will be popular in your household.

Can you make funeral potatoes ahead of time?

To make this funeral potatoes in advance, simply prepare the recipe without the cornflake topping, then store the casserole in the refrigerator covered with foil until you’re ready to bake it. Add the cornflakes, then bake as directed. You can assemble your casserole up to 6 hours before to plan to bake it.

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A dish of funeral potatoes topped with buttery cornflakes and parsley.

Flavor Variations

While these potatoes are great as-is, you can add other ingredients to the mix to customize this dish to your tastes.

  • Protein: Make this recipe a main course by adding 2 cups of cooked diced meat. You can use meats like chicken, ham or sausage.
  • Cheese: While cheddar cheese is a classic ingredient, feel free to substitute a different variety of mild cheeses. You can try Colby Jack, mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
  • Topping: Instead of corn flakes, you can use panko bread crumbs, crumbled Ritz crackers or crushed potato chips. You can also sprinkle cooked bacon on top with the cornflake mixture.
  • Potatoes: You can use shredded hash browns for a smoother dish.

Definitely don’t wait for a funeral to serve these potatoes. I serve them all year round for a comforting and hearty side dish!

More Side Dishes To Try

Funeral Potatoes Video

Love This Recipe?

Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

5 from 43 votes

Funeral Potatoes

AuthorSara Welch
A spoon serving up a portion of cheesy funeral potatoes.
Funeral potatoes are creamy and cheesy potatoes that are topped with buttered cornflakes and baked to golden brown perfection. A super easy casserole that's perfect for feeding a crowd and always gets rave reviews!
Time
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course Side
Cuisine American
Serves 8

Ingredients 

  • 2 lb bag frozen cubed hash browns thawed
  • 10 tablespoons butter melted, divided use
  • 10 1/2 ounce can cream of chicken soup
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • 1/3 cup onion finely diced
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 3 cups cornflakes lightly crushed
  • cooking spray
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9"x13" baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Place the hash browns, 4 tablespoons butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, onion, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and cheddar cheese in a bowl. Stir to combine.
  • Spoon the hash brown mixture into the prepared pan.
  • Place the cornflakes in a bowl and add the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter. Toss to coat.
  • Sprinkle the cornflake mixture over the potato layer.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes or until top is golden brown. Sprinkle with parsley if desired, then serve.

Notes

  1. Be sure to mince your onion finely for this dish, as you only want small pieces in each bite.
  2. The cornflakes in this dish should be coarsely crushed. You can achieve this by placing the cereal in a resealable bag and lightly pounding it with a meat mallet or a rolling pin.
  3. I recommend using freshly grated cheese for your casserole. The pre-shredded bags of cheese at the grocery store often contain preservatives and anti caking agents and do not melt smoothly.

Nutrition

Calories: 392kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 646mg | Potassium: 143mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1135IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 328mg | Iron: 0.7mg

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5 from 43 votes (24 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is the best recipe, honestly. Very flavorful, perfect texture, exactly what I was looking for. THANK YOU!

  2. 5 stars
    These potatoes look so creamy and comforting and perfect for miserable weather when you need cheering up. I love the crunch of the cornflake topping too.

  3. 5 stars
    I had these years ago and I’m so happy to run across the recipe again! This recipe turned out just like I remembered them!

  4. 5 stars
    Yum! I’ve never heard of funeral potatoes before, but this recipe looks so good. I love the crunchy topping.

  5. 5 stars
    A dish made with Potatoes are always delicious and this one looks special This is so creamy and cheesy and I just love the Buttered Crispy Topping. Best at any meal.

  6. 5 stars
    We have always called this dish Dead Spread potatoes for all the wonderful church women who unselfishly provided food in the church fellowship hall.