Full of tender potatoes, gooey cheese, sour cream and topped with crispy Kellogg's corn flake cereal this savory casserole cannot be beat. Funeral potato with real potatoes is easy, cheesy, and delicious. It is the perfect side dish for any meal and simple to make.
Funeral Potatoes are known by many a name ... Cheesy Potatoes, Heavenly Potatoes, or Hash Brown Casserole, just to name a few. Funeral Potato with Real Potatoes are a serious comfort food!
I have always loved these potatoes more than any other kind of potato recipe. So much so, that I request them every year for my birthday. They are always a holiday dinner staple in our family. I can't even remember a Thanksgiving or Christmas without them.
And if you happen to be planning your whole meal around comfort foods, may I suggest some of our other favorite dishes? Instant Pot Barbecue Chicken, Lasagna Soup and Chicken Crescent Roll Ups all pair perfectly with these cheesy and delicious potatoes.
Then round out your meal and add in a sweet dessert like old fashioned chocolate chip cookies, Heath Bar Chocolate Caramel Cake or a slice of warm banana bread. Yummm!
🥫 Ingredients
Because Funeral Potatoes have been at nearly every church gathering I've ever been to, I am here to attest that there are several different ways to make this casserole and the difference comes down to one ingredient.
All superior Funeral Potato Casserole recipes are made with real potatoes. However, this dish is rarely prepared that way.
- Cream of Chicken Soup
- Sour Cream
- Melted Butter
- Green Onions
- Salt
- Cheese - any variety will do, we like to go with a mixed blend to achieve optimal flavor and meltyness.
- Cornflakes - don't skimp here. Those crunchy flakes make for the most delicious topping known to man.
- Potatoes - like we said real potatoes is the way to go here. But if you are in a bind for time or looking for a frozen hash brown variation that's okay, this recipe will do, just swap out the real potatoes for a bag of frozen hash browns instead.
(Scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements and full printable instructions.)
🥣 Step by Step Instructions
Make the Potatoes
Firstly, we need to prepare the potatoes for our Funeral Potato with Real Potatoes casserole. Let's start by dicing them and adding to a pot of boiling water. Then you will want to allow them to cook until they are just tender enough to pierce with a fork.
It is important that you are careful not to let them overcook at this stage. It is imperative that you keep in mind that they will be returning to the oven later to finish cooking.
Prepare the Sauce
Secondly, while the potatoes are cooking go ahead and melt the butter in the microwave. Then add it and add a can of cream of chicken soup to a bowl. After stirring everything together you can add the sour cream, chopped green onions, salt and shredded cheese to the mixture. Then return to stirring until everything is combined into a nice sauce mixture.
But be warned, if you are anything like me, this is when your mouth may begin watering in anticipation for the goodness it knows is coming.
Add Potatoes
When cooked, you will want to drain the potatoes and add them to the prepared sauce mixture. Gently stir everything together being sure every potato is coated.
Also keep in mind thought that you need to be careful not to stir too much. You don't want the potatoes to break down and cause the casserole to get mushy.
Transfer to Casserole Dish
Lastly, once the potato mixture is ready you can begin to spoon it into a greased casserole dish and finish it off by topping with the prepared crunchy cereal topping. Then place the pan in the oven to bake.
When your potatoes are all melted and bubbly go ahead and pull it from the oven and enjoy.
You can serve as a delicious side, or join the Ashley's Funeral Potato with Real Potatoes Fan Club, and eat them as a main dish or midnight treat. Seriously... welcome to my idea of heaven!
👩🏻🍳 Make it Your Own
When it comes to topping you have a number of options. For this recipe, I've doubled the amount of Kellogg's my mom usually uses.
And if I am being honest, if I was really treating myself - I'd quadruple the amount of topping. Yes I mean like, double the amount of ingredients called for in the recipe card for the topping.
I've already doubled it once from my mom's original recipe so why not live a little and double it again! I mean seriously, is it even possible to have too many crispy corn flakes on top of Funeral Potato with Real Potatoes? I think not.
📋 FAQ's
What kind of potatoes are best for funeral potatoes?
Let's specifically talk potatoes. There are many kinds of potatoes and we have tried them all. Dallin, my husband, likes the texture of russet potatoes best, while I prefer a red potato. But honestly, either will do.
What topping is best for funeral potatoes?
This is quite possibly the most important step in the whole process. Okay - not really but it is definitely my favorite part. In my own opinion Kellogg's Corn Flake cereal is our favorite but you can also use crushed Ritz Crackers or Doritos.
📖 Recipe
Funeral Potato with Real Potatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
Potato Mixture
- 6-7 medium potatoes 30-35 ounces
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups sour cream 1 pint
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
The Topping
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 2 cups crushed cornflakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F.
- Cube and boil potatoes until just soft enough to eat, but still firm when bitten into. (al dente) Drain off the water and set aside to cool.
- In microwave melt your butter. Once melted stir in can of cream of chicken soup.
- In separate bowl mix sour cream, chopped green onions, salt, and shredded cheddar cheese. Add the butter and soup mixture. Mix well and set aside.
- Fold in potatoes to the sauce mixture. Do not over stir, just long enough to coat all potatoes.
- Spoon mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish.
- To prepare the topping melt butter and mix with crushed Kellogg's Corn Flakes.
- Spread cereal topping over the mixture in the pan.
- Bake in oven at 400° F for approximately 35 to 45 minutes or until bubbly and corn flakes appear golden and crispy.
Video
Notes
- When boiling potatoes add one teaspoon salt to the water for more flavorful potatoes.
- Boil the potatoes until they are just soft enough to bite through. You want your potatoes to be al dente. They will cook more in the oven.
- Substitute fresh potatoes for 30 ounces of frozen hashbrowns.
- Substitute diced green onions for 3 tablespoons dried chives.
Emmz says
So great. Love ALL your recipes Ashley! Keep cooking and sharing for us please.
Alison says
Great recipe!
Lucy Simeon-Cumming says
UMMMM hello goodness! This recipe is absolute magic! I have also found that to make a slightly different consistency for the topping just use breadcrumbs and it’s also incredible! However 5/5, would recommend, would eat, do gorge myself to oblivion
Kristy Cook says
So this is my same recipe base but I’ve added things over the years that has really cranked up the flavor. I ad another 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese. I also add some dehydrated onion in as well as the green onion. I also add garlic powder and garlic salt, onion powder and pepper. Not too much garlic salt as the cream of chicken soup has a lot of salt already but I’d definitely needs the onion and garlic powder and pepper to kick up the flavor. I also do about 4 cups of cornflakes on top because we obscenely love them. I don’t put on the cornflakes except for the last 10-15 minutes and I leave them whole with the butter. Again great base but a few extras really helps the flavor.
Erin says
So good! I started making funeral potatoes from watching the vlogs and hearing them mentioned frequently. I just made a super basic recipe I found on YouTube because it’s only my partner and I in the house and I didn’t need a whole pan of anything. Turns out.... I did need a whole pan! I finally got around to trying this recipe and it’s so good! I’ve only made this with frozen potatoes up until now. For one extra easy step, it’s worth doing. And the green onions really made a difference in the recipe.
Every couple weeks my partner has to go to another state for a few days. I look forward to those visits every time because I can make a big pan of funeral potatoes, and eat the leftover until he comes home. Such a treat!
Thanks for sharing
Elizabeth says
This was fantastic !!! I’m a vegetarian so I did substitute cream of mushroom soup for the chicken but it was soo good my family loved it
Kailey Asbury says
As a former LDS (unfortunately) I’ve always craved Funeral Potatoes. Making/eating this almost brought me to tears because it took me back to being in church during a potluck and feeling the love my my family and friends during a gathering. It’s also the most unhealthy thing you could ever have for a holiday dinner- it’s worth the calories though!
Thanx Dashleys for perfecting my favorite thing on this world. I needed a good recipe to make during COVID- now to go run a 10k to work it all off 😂😅
Felicia says
I’ve made this recipe before and it was gobbled up quick. I made it again for Christmas dinner. This is an anytime dish but I try to pace myself. It’s very hard though. I’m pretty sure this would compliment any main dish. I use gold potatoes which cook up like soft pillows of goodness. Make this now you won’t regret it.
Kristen Longley says
My husband followed this recipe tonight and the whole family loved it! So flavourful and the crunch of the cornflakes is fantastic! This will become a regular side in our house for sure.
Hannah says
Potatoes of any kind especially when it involves butter are my favorite. These are mouth watering and you will want seconds and most likely thirds.
Emily K says
I do not personally just LOVE to cook, but I love good food. This recipe is so easy, leaves easy clean up, and are the BEST potatoes! The top gets nice and crispy while the inside stays soft, moist, and cheesy. It is truly *chefs kiss* good! If you have not made them you should, and if you have not eaten them, then you DEFINITELY need to!
Kati says
These are amazing. I use cream of celery to make it vegetarian. Tonight I realized I didn’t buy green onions, so I used finely diced white onion instead, and sautéed it in the butter until soft before adding the soup.
Sara Lively says
This recipe changed my life. As a potato lover, this dish has my heart. This will have everyone asking for the recipe at parties and your family will beg you to make it again. The ultimate comfort food
Nicole says
I made this last night with the chili recipe. It was really good but next time I won't use the green onion. I am not a fan of green onions so I used half the amount in the recipe but still wasn't a fan of the flavor it gave them. I still liked the dish alot but I think if I make them without the green onions I would give it 5 stars.
Crystal S. says
Best potatoes ever.
Emma says
So easy yo make, potatoes are creamy and full of flavor
Amanda says
Absolutely delicious!
Kristin says
These are great and using real potatoes makes all the difference. If you want a little more flavor, use a sharp cheese. Yummy!
April says
When we moved into our house over a year ago, I watched a vlog where Ashley was making this and I was inspired. This was the first time I made funeral potatoes with real/fresh potatoes rather than frozen hashbrowns- either way it hit the spot on a cold day
Elizabeth Olson says
This is my second time making this I substitute the cream of chicken for mushroom and it’s delicious
Amanda says
Amazing!
Kristen says
These were delicious such a great comfort food or anytime food really
Jamie D says
Made them, ate them, loved them! I saw another recipe with honey bunches of oats on top instead of cornflakes and I’m not brave enough to try it because this is so good. Maybe one day I’ll try it. But for now, this one is a keeper!
Amanda says
Best cheesy potatoes EVER!
Lily says
These were absolutely delicious! Such a comfort today! Adding it to my faves!
Lily says
Such a solid recipe!! I dream about these once they are all gone!
Amanda says
Best cheesy potato recipe I have found!