Why You’ll Love These Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
Comfort food doesn’t get much better than these Cheesy Funeral Potatoes. They’re creamy, crispy, cheesy, and utterly addictive—basically everything you want when life demands carbs.
I love how the cornflake topping creates that perfect golden crunch while the inside stays creamy and rich. Can you resist that gooey cheddar pulling into long strings with every scoop?
These potatoes come together in minutes but taste like you’ve been cooking all day.
Perfect for potlucks, holiday sides, or honestly, just a random Tuesday when you need something reliably delicious. Trust me, you’ll be scraping the dish for the last crispy bits.
What Ingredients are in Cheesy Funeral Potatoes?
Cheesy funeral potatoes are the ultimate comfort food casserole that brings people together, whether at family gatherings, holiday dinners, or yes, even funeral luncheons (hence the somewhat unusual name).
The beauty of this recipe lies in its perfect balance of creamy, cheesy goodness inside with that irresistible crispy cornflake topping. I’m always amazed at how something so simple can deliver such big, crowd-pleasing flavors.
Ready to gather your ingredients? Here’s everything you’ll need:
- 1 bag (about 30 oz) frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or medium)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (divided)
- ½ cup chopped onion (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups cornflake cereal, lightly crushed
When shopping for these ingredients, keep in mind that quality matters for the best flavor. I recommend using full-fat sour cream for maximum creaminess, and grating your own cheddar cheese rather than using pre-shredded (which contains anti-caking agents that can affect melting).
The onions are listed as optional, but they add a nice depth of flavor without overwhelming the dish.
And don’t skip the cornflake topping—it’s what gives this casserole its signature crispy contrast to all that creamy potato goodness underneath.
How to Make These Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
Making these cheesy funeral potatoes couldn’t be easier, and that’s exactly why they’re my go-to for potlucks and family gatherings. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This gives you the perfect cooking vessel for all that potato goodness to meld together without sticking to the pan.
Now for the fun part—the mixing! In a large bowl, combine your thawed 30 oz bag of hash browns, 10.5 oz can of condensed cream of chicken soup, 2 cups of sour cream, and 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Add in your ½ cup of chopped onion (if you’re using it), 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, and half of your melted butter (about ¼ cup).
Give everything a good stir until it’s well combined, making sure those hash browns are evenly coated with all that creamy, cheesy goodness. The mixture should look uniform but still have texture from the potatoes. Transfer this mixture to your prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer. Remember, even thickness means even cooking!
For that signature crunchy topping that everyone fights over, take your 2 cups of lightly crushed cornflakes and toss them with the remaining melted butter in a small bowl until they’re evenly coated. This butter coating is what transforms the cornflakes into a golden, crispy crust during baking.
Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the potato base, covering the entire surface. Pop your casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until you see those beautiful bubbles around the edges and that cornflake topping turns a deep golden brown.
Once done, let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving—this helps the layers set up a bit and makes serving much easier.
Cheesy Funeral Potatoes Substitutions and Variations
While your funeral potatoes will turn out perfectly using the classic recipe, there are countless ways to personalize this crowd-pleaser to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
I often swap cheddar for pepper jack when I’m craving heat, or mix in crumbled bacon for smoky flavor.
No cornflakes? Try crushed potato chips or panko breadcrumbs.
Vegetarians in the family? Replace cream of chicken with cream of mushroom or celery soup. You can even use fresh potatoes instead of frozen—just parboil and shred them first.
My mother-in-law adds diced green chilies and cumin, creating a Southwestern twist I’ve grown to love.
What to Serve with Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
When it comes to serving funeral potatoes, I’ve found that pairing them with the right dishes can transform this cheesy comfort food from a side dish to the star of a complete meal.
I love serving them alongside glazed ham or roasted chicken—the savory meat balances the richness perfectly.
For something lighter, try a crisp green salad with vinaigrette or steamed green beans.
Need a complete spread? Add dinner rolls and a veggie tray.
For brunch, pair with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit.
Trust me, these potatoes play well with almost anything, but simple proteins let their cheesy goodness shine.
Final Thoughts
As I reflect on these cheesy funeral potatoes, I’m reminded why this dish has earned its place at countless gatherings throughout the years. Rich, comforting, and impossibly creamy, it’s the kind of recipe that becomes a family tradition after just one bite.
Whether you’re bringing it to a potluck, serving it alongside holiday ham, or yes, even taking it to a funeral luncheon, these potatoes never disappoint. The contrast between that golden cornflake topping and the velvety potato mixture underneath? Pure comfort food magic.
Make them once, and I guarantee they’ll become part of your recipe rotation forever.
Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine hash browns, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, half of the melted butter (¼ cup), chopped onion (if using), salt, and black pepper.
- Mix well until everything is evenly combined and transfer to the prepared baking dish, spreading in an even layer.
- In a small bowl, toss the crushed cornflakes with the remaining melted butter until evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the buttered cornflake mixture evenly over the potato mixture.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until bubbling around the edges and the topping is deep golden brown.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
