If you’re looking for a funeral potatoes recipe, you are going to have questions! First of all, what are funeral potatoes and why are they called that? Well, whether you’re looking for a funeral potatoes recipe without corn flakes, with chicken, with corn flakes, or another variation, this dish is basically a potato side dish.
They’re great for parties, holidays and large gatherings. Try funeral potatoes crock pot or Instant Pot style for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Or how about cheesy cornflake potatoes to go with your dinner tonight? There are no hard and fast rules, which is why there are so many different funeral potatoes recipe ideas to choose from.
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What is in Funeral Potatoes?
This potato casserole often boasts dairy in the form of sour cream and melted cheese. Some recipes for funeral potatoes include onions, garlic, corn flakes and more.
Recipes do vary though so if you compare Pioneer Woman funeral potatoes or Mormon funeral potatoes to Amish funeral potatoes, for example, you’ll see they aren’t the exact same. No two potato casserole with corn flakes dishes are the same.
What is the History of Funeral Potatoes?
It’s not clear where the name of this cheesy potato casserole comes from. However, some people think it originated with the Relief Society, a women’s Christian organization. The women in the organization had various responsibilities, including preparing food for the recently bereaved.
The history of this dish is also interlinked with the Mormons. So are funeral potatoes a Mormon thing? Well, many Mormons grew up with this dish and not only at funerals. This popular side dish often made an appearance at everything from Thanksgiving, potlucks and fall/winter dinners.
A typical Mormon funeral potato recipe would include chopped potatoes, cheese, creamy chicken soup, and corn flakes.
Can You Make This Dish Ahead?
You can prepare this dish in advance but don’t add any cornflake topping or butter else it will go soft. If you want to freeze this cheesy potato casserole, make it until where you add the potatoes to the baking dish. Then you can cover with foil and freeze. Use within 3 months.
Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight then add the corn flake topping and bake. The finished dish will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator and you can microwave it to warm it back up.
How to Make Funeral Potatoes for a Crowd
This is a recipe that’s easy enough to double or triple. So if you want to make a big batch, get some disposable 13 x 9-inch baking pans unless you already have some metal ones.
Disposable 13 x 9 pans are cheap and you don’t have to collect them up after the party (or funeral!)
PrintFuneral Potatoes: Potato Casserole with Corn Flakes
This recipe pairs hash browns with soup, sour cream, cheddar and more. It’s a crispy topped cheesy potato casserole which will disappear fast. This is true comfort food.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Oven
Ingredients
- 24 ounces (680g) thawed hash brown cubes
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups (500ml) sour cream
- 2 cups (470g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (250 ml) melted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder (optional but good)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional but good
- 2½ cups (190g) crushed corn flakes
Instructions
- Pour the frozen hash browns into a colander and let them thaw.
- Drain off the liquid.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Put the soup, sour cream and half the butter in a bowl and stir.
- Mix in the cheese, salt and onion powder and garlic powder (if using).
- Now add the thawed potatoes and stir well.
- Spoon the mixture into a 13 x 9-inch (33 x 23cm) baking pan.
- Dot on the rest of the butter then sprinkle over the corn flakes.
- Bake for about 45 minutes or until golden and piping hot.
Notes
- If you can get cream of bacon soup in your local grocery store, it makes a tasty change from the cream of chicken soup.
- Feel free to use less or more corn flakes in the topping. Some cooks like a thin topping while others are generous with the corn flakes. It’s just down to personal preference.
- You can use your favorite kind of potato or corn chips for the topping instead of the corn flakes. Part of the fun is coming up with new variations to this funeral potatoes recipe.
Keywords: funeral potatoes recipe, how to make funeral potatoes, funeral potatoes with corn flakes, corn flake potatoes, cheesy potatoes
How Many Potatoes in a Pound?
3 medium sized russet potatoes or about 9 small white potatoes is about a pound (450g). A pound of russet potatoes is about 3½ cups of chopped potatoes.
PrintFuneral Potatoes Recipe without Corn Flakes
You don’t have to use corn flakes if you don’t want to. A potato casserole with corn flakes is always good but this alternative corn flake-free recipe is also delicious.
This is a simple version of funeral potatoes without corn flakes so add your own touches as you see fit to customize it.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Oven
Ingredients
- 2 cans (10½ ounces or 310ml each) cream of chicken soup
- 1½ cups (350g) grated cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (25g) dehydrated onion flakes
- 30 ounces (850g) thawed hash browns
- 1 pint (475ml) sour cream
- Large handful crushed potato chips
Instructions
- First of all, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Mix the soup with the cheese, sour cream and onions.
- Mix in the hash browns.
- Spoon the mixture into a 13 x 9-inch (33 x 23cm) casserole dish.
- Sprinkle the potato chips on top.
- Bake for about 45 minutes or until the topping is golden and crisp.
Notes
- Replace the potato chips with tortilla chips, Pringles or any cheese-flavored chips (UK: crisps) to add your own touch.
- Replace the onion flakes with 2 teaspoons onion powder or a couple of minced shallots if liked.
Keywords: cheesy potatoes without corn flakes, funeral potatoes without corn flakes, funeral potatoes with chips
How Long Can Funeral Potatoes Sit Out?
I wouldn’t leave them out for more than a couple of hours to be on the safe side. Don’t worry – these easy cheesy potatoes are so delicious I’m sure they’ll be all gone after an hour tops!
How Can I Make My Cheesy Potatoes Unique?
Try adding cooked chicken to the mix before baking. I bet funeral potatoes with chicken would be amazing.
Oh and bacon goes well too in an easy funeral potato recipe unless you’re looking for a vegetarian recipe. Since this is a side dish, you don’t have to add a protein.
You can also add sliced tomatoes on top for a splash of color or sprinkle on some snipped fresh chives before serving.
PrintFuneral Potatoes with Real Potatoes
Although hash browns are a quick and easy alternative, I find the best funeral potatoes recipe is one with real potatoes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Oven
Ingredients
- 7 medium potatoes (about 30 ounces or 850g)
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup (60g) butter
- 3 chopped green onions (spring onions)
- 1 pint (475ml) sour cream
- 1½ cups (350g) grated cheddar cheese
For the Topping:
- 2½ cups (190g) crushed corn flakes
- ¼ cup (60ml) melted butter
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into cubes.
- Boil them in salted water until al dente (mostly tender but still a little firm).
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Drain the water off the potatoes and let them cool slightly.
- Melt the butter in a pan then mix in the soup.
- Stir the cream with the green onions, cheese and salt in a bowl.
- Stir the soup mixture into the green onion mixture.
- Now gently stir the potatoes into the soup mixture.
- Spoon everything into a greased 13 x 9-inch (33 x 23 cm) baking dish.
- Melt the butter then mix with the crushed corn flakes.
- Spread the corn flake mixture over the top of the funeral potatoes.
- Bake for about 40 minutes or until piping hot and golden brown on top.
Notes
- Sub 3 tablespoons of dried chives for the green onions if liked.
- Use firm potatoes since they don’t turn to mush like creamy ones.
Keywords: funeral potatoes with real potatoes, real potato funeral potatoes
Can You Make Keto Funeral Potatoes?
If you are wondering whether keto funeral potatoes are a thing, you have a couple of options. Replace the potatoes (or hash browns) with turnip or cauliflower to cut down on carbs and you can be heavier handed with the cheese, sour cream, butter, and so on.
I haven’t done this myself – I’d rather have a small portion of the real thing, but I don’t mind turnip so it could work!
Another option is to use Carisma potatoes which are naturally low carb, although sadly these are difficult to find outside of Australia these days and they seem to be gone from shelves in Europe too.
Funeral Potatoes Crock Pot or Instant Pot
It’s handy to be able to make a funeral potato dish in a crockpot since you can bring the crockpot with you to wherever the gathering will be. The same applies if you’re using an Instant Pot since you can use the slow cooking setting.
Simply dump all the ingredients except a cup of cheese in the slow cooker (or Instant Pot) then cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours, or until the potatoes are tender. You can check them using a fork.
Take the lid off and sprinkle the last cup of cheese on top then put the lid back on. Cook for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted. For a change, try cream of celery or cream of bacon soup rather than the chicken.
