Funeral Potatoes Party Potatoes Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Recipe Introduction

Funeral Potatoes {Party Potatoes} are my ultimate comfort dish. Ever tasted a casserole that felt like a warm hug? They are cheesy with tangy sour cream and a crunchy cornflake topping.

Quick Hook

This Cheesy Potato Casserole hits all the right notes. Mellow cheddar, sour cream, and a toasty topping shine. Honestly, it’s addictive and impossible to resist.

Brief Overview

This Potato Casserole comes from the Mountain West. It’s a true Church Potluck Casserole favorite there. Difficulty is easy for cooks of all levels.

Prep takes about 20 minutes active. Bake time is 40 45 minutes until bubbly. Yields eight servings, roughly one cup each.

Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or weeknight crowds.

Main Benefits

Cheese and Greek yogurt add protein and calcium. Potatoes supply filling carbs and some fiber. It’s comfort food that also feeds a crowd.

Ideal for big family dinners and potlucks. What makes this recipe special is the crunchy topping. The Cornflake Topping Casserole finish sets it apart.

Why I Love It

My mum used to say, no potluck is complete. “No potluck is complete without it,” she always said. I once brought it to a reunion.

People raided it first. It vanished fast. That memory always makes me smile.

Quick Tips Before Ingredients

Thaw hashbrowns and squeeze out excess water. That trick prevents a soggy result. Use sharp cheddar for bold flavor. Grate from a block if you can.

For extra crunch, toast flakes briefly in butter.

Little Notes

Think Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole when you taste it. It’s a dependable Potato Side Dishes choice. Try bacon, broccoli, or jalapeños for variety. This Casserole Recipe adapts easily for guests.

Ready? Now onto the ingredients list. Grab your baking dish and cheese. Preheat your oven to 350° F ( 175° C) and let’s bake.

Ingredients & Equipment quick look

Fun fact: casseroles boomed in the 1950s with convenience foods. I grew up eating them. They felt like a hug. This recipe for Funeral Potatoes {Party Potatoes} is one of those hugs.

Main Ingredients

For the casserole:

• 30 oz (850 g) frozen shredded hash browns, thawed and drained.
• 10.5 oz (298 g) condensed cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom).
• 8 oz (225 g) full-fat sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt).
• 2 cups (about 200 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
• 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted and divided.
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about 1/2 cup / 70 80 g ).
• 1 tsp (5 g) garlic powder, 1 tsp (5 g) kosher salt.
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) freshly ground black pepper.
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce or 1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon mustard (optional).

For the topping:

• 2 cups (about 60 g) crushed cornflakes or crushed Ritz crackers or panko.
• 2 tbsp (30 g) unsalted butter, melted.
• 1 tsp (2 g) paprika (optional).
• 2 tbsp (6 g) chopped chives for garnish.

Quality notes: use a block of sharp cheddar. Pre-shredded cheese melts worse. Pick full-fat sour cream. Good cornflakes toast up crisp. Honestly, these small choices change everything.

Seasoning Notes

Essential combo: garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. It’s simple. It sings with cheddar. Flavor boosters: a splash of Worcestershire helps.

Dijon works too. Aromatics: raw diced onion gives a gentle bite. Cooked shallots are nice if you prefer milder flavors.

Quick swaps: no cream soup? Use a quick béchamel. Swap sour cream 1:1 with full fat Greek yogurt. Want spicy? Mix in 1/3 cup diced pickled jalapeños.

Equipment Needed

• 9 x 13 inch ( 22 x 33 cm ) baking dish.
• Large mixing bowl and spatula.
• Measuring cups, spoons, or kitchen scale.
• Small bowl for topping.
• Aluminum foil for tenting.

Household alternatives: no baking dish? Use two 8 x 8 pans. No rolling pin? Use a heavy skillet to crush cornflakes. No scale? Use cup measures.

I once forgot to drain potatoes. Disaster. The casserole went soggy. Learn from me. Thaw, squeeze, and keep it dry.

Bake at 350° F ( 175° C) for 40 45 minutes . Aim for 165° F ( 74° C) inside.

Let rest 5 10 minutes. Serve hot and watch faces light up. This is true church potluck comfort.

Cooking Method

Oh my gosh, comfort rules here. Americans eat about 130 pounds of potatoes yearly. No wonder dishes like Funeral Potatoes {Party Potatoes} exist. This Cheesy Potato Casserole fixes moods fast.

Prep Steps

Gather your mise en place first. Measure ingredients and grate fresh cheese. Thaw frozen hashbrowns if using. Thaw time is 30 60 minutes or overnight.

Drain and squeeze out extra water. Wet potatoes make a soggy bake. Preheat oven to 350° F ( 175° C) .

Grease a 9x13 dish. Keep a clean towel and oven mitts close. Safety note: handle hot butter carefully. Use a thermometer for safety.

step-by-step Process

1. Mix soup, sour cream, and 1/4 cup melted butter .
2. Stir in onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Fold in drained hashbrowns and 1 3/4 cups cheddar .
4. Spread mixture in prepared pan evenly.
5. Combine crushed cornflakes and remaining butter.
6. Top casserole and bake 40– 45 minutes until bubbling.

Watch visual cues closely. Edges should bubble vigorously. Topping must be golden and crisp. Insert a spoon into center. The casserole should be hot throughout.

Check internal temperature around 165° F ( 74° C) .

Pro Tips

Toast flakes in a skillet first for extra crunch. Grate cheese from a block for better melt. Mix gently; do not overwork the potatoes.

Common mistake: skipping the squeeze step. That causes a watery Potato Casserole . Another mistake: using low-fat dairy. The texture suffers.

make-ahead option: assemble and cover. Refrigerate up to 24 hours . Add 10– 15 minutes extra bake time if cold.

I once brought this to a church potluck. People called it the classic Church Potluck Casserole . I nicknamed it a winner.

Honestly, it’s the best Potato Side Dishes dish. Try serving with a crisp salad. It cuts the richness.

This is a versatile Casserole Recipe . It doubles for crowds. It also reads well as a Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole or Cornflake Topping Casserole . You’ll love how simple it is.

Recipe Notes

Fun fact: potatoes are the world's fourth largest food crop. That explains why this dish shows up everywhere. Honestly, I’ve brought this Cheesy Potato Casserole to more potlucks than I can count.

I call it my safety blanket. Funeral Potatoes {Party Potatoes} are creamy, cheesy, and oddly comforting. At church or a backyard BBQ, it disappears fast.

Serving Suggestions

Serve in a shallow dish for easy scooping. A sprinkle of chopped chives brightens things up. Pair this Potato Side Dishes with a crisp green salad.

A tart apple slaw also cuts the richness.

For drinks, try a dry Riesling or a cold lager. For kids, iced tea works perfectly. It’s classic Party Potatoes comfort food, so keep plates casual and forks ready.

Storage Tips

Cool completely before storing. Refrigerate in an airtight container. Eat within 3 to 4 days for best flavor.

You can freeze baked portions. Wrap well and freeze up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven. Heat until the center reaches 165° F ( 74° C) .

If you assemble but don’t bake, freeze unbaked for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking. Bake at 350° F ( 175° C) until bubbly and golden.

Variations

Want lighter? Swap sour cream for plain Greek yogurt. That makes a leaner Potatoes Recipe with tang.

Vegetarian? Use cream of mushroom instead. This keeps it a solid Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole without meat.

Seasonal swaps: add roasted butternut squash in fall. In spring, fold in blanched asparagus tips. Cornflake Topping Casserole becomes extra fun with crushed nuts or panko.

Nutrition Basics

Per serving is roughly 420 calories. Protein is about 11 grams. Fat is higher, around 28 grams. Sodium can be elevated too, so taste first.

Key benefits: potatoes give potassium and fiber. Greek yogurt adds protein. Use sharp cheddar for flavor, not extra quantity.

I once over salted this at midnight. Rookie move. Lesson learned: mix and taste a microwave spoonful first. That small test prevents disaster.

This Potato Casserole is forgiving. Make it your own. Bring it to a Church Potluck Casserole or family dinner and watch it vanish. You got this.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly are Funeral Potatoes {Party Potatoes} and why do they have that name?

Funeral Potatoes {Party Potatoes} are a cheesy, creamy hashbrown casserole topped with a buttery, crunchy cereal or cracker crust a Midwest/Mountain West comfort food classic often served at church potlucks and after funeral gatherings.

The nickname comes from their frequent appearance at those community meals, not from anything tragic about the dish; think of them as the reliable, crowd pleasing side dish your grandma brings to Sunday lunch.

How can I stop the casserole from getting soggy?

Thaw frozen shredded potatoes fully and squeeze out as much moisture as you can with a clean towel excess water is the main culprit for a watery bake. Use the “less is more” approach when mixing wet ingredients, grate cheese from a block for better melt, and dot or mix only the required butter into the topping; you can also toast the crushed cornflakes or crackers in a skillet for extra crunch before baking.

Can I make Funeral Potatoes {Party Potatoes} ahead of time, freeze them, or reheat leftovers?

Yes assemble the casserole and refrigerate, covered, for up to 24 hours before baking (add 10 15 minutes to the bake time if baking straight from cold). For freezing, bake first then cool and freeze in portions for 2 3 months, or freeze assembled in a foil pan but add extra bake time; reheat in a 350°F oven until bubbly (~25 35 minutes for refrigerated leftovers) and finish under the broiler for 1 2 minutes to recrisp the topping.

What easy variations or substitutions work if I want vegetarian, gluten-free, or lighter versions?

Swap cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom or a quick béchamel to keep it vegetarian, use gluten-free cornflakes or crackers for a gluten-free topping, and replace sour cream with full-fat Greek yogurt to boost protein while keeping tang.

To lighten it, cut back on butter, use part skim cheese, add cooked broccoli or roasted peppers for bulk and color, or fold in cooked lean bacon or caramelized onions if you want a smoky boost.

Are Funeral Potatoes {Party Potatoes} healthy what should I know about nutrition?

This casserole is rich and comforting expect around 400+ calories per 1-cup serving with notable fat and sodium from cheese and condensed soup. To make it healthier, use a homemade low-sodium béchamel, Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, grate your own cheese and reduce the amount slightly, and bulk the dish with vegetables to add fiber and vitamins while lowering calories per serving.