Cheesy Potato Casserole

5 from 74 votes
75 Comments

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Cheesy Potato Casserole, also known as funeral potatoes, is sure to please a crowd! You’ll love the tender potatoes, lots of cheese and a unique crunchy topping.

Plate of Cheesy Potato Casserole with a fork next to the baking dish of Cheesy Potato Casserole.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in Cheesy Potato Casserole
  2. Corn Flake Topping Substitutes
  3. Hash Brown Casserole Variations
  4. Frequently Asked Questions about Cheesy Potato Casserole
  5. What to Serve with Funeral Potatoes
  6. More Perfect Potato Recipes
  7. How to Make Cheesy Potato Casserole
  8. Cheesy Potato Casserole (Funeral Potatoes) Recipe

Cheesy Potato Casserole is better known to many as Funeral Potatoes, not because you only eat them at funeral luncheons, but because they’re a staple for feeding large groups of people. Most church potlucks, family gatherings or large luncheons feature some sort of take on this casserole dish alongside a ham, salad and rolls. There are dozens of variations to this recipe, but this one has been a family favorite for generations. We make them every year for our Easter dinner as it goes perfectly with Easter ham and all the trimmings. This cheesy potato casserole recipe is also a perfect side dish at numerous Christmas, Thanksgiving, basically any holiday dinner in our family. No matter what you serve it with or where you serve it, you’ll absolutely love this funeral potatoes recipe.

Ingredients in Cheesy Potato Casserole

Here’s our tried and true recipe for cheesy potatoes. They always turn out delicious and get devoured quickly!

  • Hash Brown Potatoes – I like using the frozen hash brown cubes but you could use the shredded hash brown potatoes for a different texture. Thaw the potatoes before adding the rest of the ingredients.
  • Salt – about three teaspoons, or to taste
  • Black pepper – to taste
  • Grated cheddar cheese – Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor!
  • Butter – this recipe calls for half cup butter or one stick.
  • Cream of chicken soup – some recipes call for cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup, but I don’t like the flavor as well as good old cream of chicken soup.
  • Sour cream – this gives the potato mixture extra creaminess that is so delicious!
  • Milk – any kind of milk works for this recipe.
  • Cornflakes – regular corn flake cereal, crushed to make two cups. Any brand will do.
Ingredients for Cheese Potato Casserole including cream of chicken soup, sour cream, potatoes, corn flakes, cheese, butter, salt and milk.


Corn Flake Topping Substitutes

It may sound strange to you, but I promise you will love the crunchy corn flake topping. Adding a couple of cups of crushed corn flakes gives this Funeral Potato casserole a golden brown crust, a delightful crunch and a nutty, buttery flavor that goes so well with all the cheese and cream in the potatoes. However here are some other topping ideas if you don’t have Cornflakes on hand:

  • Potato chips
  • Ritz crackers
  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • Other crushed crackers or plain cereal
Cheesy Potato Casserole in a scooped in a wooden spoon.

Hash Brown Casserole Variations

  • Add finely diced onion (about half a cup) to your Funeral Potatoes for extra flavor. If you don’t like the crunch of onions, you can grate the onion too.
  • Add cubed ham and add it straight to the potatoes for a delicious meaty meal.
  • Mix bacon or diced chicken into the potatoes.
  • Omit the crunchy corn flake topping and sprinkle with extra cheese.
  • Cook up your own potatoes instead of using diced hash browns. You’ll need 6-8 good size potatoes to make Funeral Potatoes. Just peel and dice into bite size pieces and follow the rest of the instructions in the recipe card below.
Plate of Cheesy Potato Casserole with a fork.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheesy Potato Casserole

Why are they called “funeral potatoes”?

This is the most asked question and I can understand why. Funeral potatoes get their nickname because they’re often served at post-funeral luncheons, particularly in the in the culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

What can I substitute for sour cream in cheesy potatoes?

Try plain Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream.

What is the difference between scalloped potatoes and cheesy potatoes?

Cheesy potato casserole, or au gratin potatoes use shredded cheese. Scalloped potatoes use a cheese sauce made with heavy cream and a flour and butter roux.

READ NEXT: 60+ Best Potato Recipes

What to Serve with Funeral Potatoes

This deliciously cheesy Funeral Potato casserole pairs beautifully with our Honey Baked Ham Copycat Recipe or our Slow Cooker Ham with Maple and Brown Sugar. Try these other recipes for dinner too:

Wooden spoon scooping Cheesy Potato Casserole from a baking dish. Plate of potatoes on the side.

More Perfect Potato Recipes

Hailing from Idaho, we know a thing or two about good potato recipes, besides these Funeral Potatoes. Try a few of our very favorites!

How to Make Cheesy Potato Casserole

Cheesy Potato Casserole in a baking dish with a wooden spoon for scooping.

Cheesy Potato Casserole (Funeral Potatoes)

5 from 74 votes
Cheesy Potato Casserole, also known as funeral potatoes, is sure to please a crowd! You'll love the tender potatoes, lots of cheese and a unique crunchy topping.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Video

Equipment

  • Conventional Oven
  • 9 X 13 inch Pan

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix hash browns, cheese, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
    Bowl of frozen potato hash browns, shredded cheese, salt and pepper mixed for Cheesy Potato Casserole.
  • Heat butter, soup, sour cream, and milk in a saucepan until butter is melted.
    Sauce pan of creamy sauce for Cheesy Potato Casserole with a wooden spoon on the side.
  • Stir heated sauce into hash browns.
    Bowl of Cheesy Potato Casserole mixture with a wooden spoon.
  • Pour mixture into a 9×13 baking dish.
    Cheesy Potato Casserole mixture in a baking dish spreading with a wooden spoon.
  • Top with corn flakes and a little melted butter.
    Cheesy Potato Casserole in a baking dish topped with crushed corn flakes and melted butter.
  • Bake for 1 hour.
    Cheesy Potato Casserole in a baking dish with a wooden spoon for scooping.

Notes

Variations:
  • Add finely diced onion (about half a cup) to your Funeral Potatoes for extra flavor. If you don’t like the crunch of onions, you can grate the onion too.
  • Add cubed ham and add it straight to the potatoes for a delicious meaty meal.
  • Mix bacon or diced chicken into the potatoes.
  • Omit the crunchy corn flake topping and sprinkle with extra cheese.
  • Cook up your own potatoes instead of using diced hash browns. You’ll need 6-8 good size potatoes to make Funeral Potatoes. Just peel and dice into bite size pieces and follow the rest of the instructions in the recipe card below.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 260kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 8gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 964mgPotassium: 323mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 580IUVitamin C: 7.5mgCalcium: 201mgIron: 2.6mg

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About the author

Emily Walker

Emily lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Beau, a physician assistant, and her three incredible children: a son and two daughters. Travel is one of her favorite ways to experience new cultures and cuisines, and she has a love for all things Disney.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made this for Easter and even my picky family members really liked it. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

  2. 5 stars
    I’ve always had this recipe my entire life. My mom made it and it was always a hit.

    By the way, scalloped potatoes do not contain cheese. Scalloped potatoes are simply thinly sliced potatoes layered with pats of butter and then just heavy cream is poured over and pats of butter. I’m sorry I get frustrated. Au gratin has cheese scallops does not. That’s the difference.

  3. 5 stars
    I love your recipes, this one included! An Easter dinner must have, the fam goes crazy over it. Thanks for helping me being delicious dishes to our table 🙂

  4. 5 stars
    I love your recipes, this one included! An Easter dinner must have, the fam goes crazy over it! Thanks for helping me bring delicious dishes to our table 🙂

  5. 5 stars
    These are my favorite go-to side dish with just about everything! They are usually the first thing gone!! Super cheesy & delicious!!

        1. Most recipes call for thawing potatoes . I do think they bake more thoroughly this way. Otherwise the center sometimes doesn,t heat all the way . Also if you use shredded hash browns instead of the cubes your casserole will be mushier. I prefer the cubes because it it serves up nicer
          These are a perennial favorite .People always look for them at every church, holiday, or family gathering! A great make ahead dish also. Refrigerate of course if making day before

  6. 5 stars
    I LOVE potatoes. And of all the potatoes THESE are my favorite! Every single meal I could eat these. Every single one. So wonderfully cheesy! And the corn flake topping is a perfect crispiness on top of the soft, cheesy, potato casserole! Yum, yum, yum!

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