Funeral Potatoes

This creamy, cheesy funeral potatoes recipe is the ultimate comfort food casserole made with hash browns, sour cream, cheddar, and a rich homemade sauce. Topped with a crispy cornflake and potato chip crust, it’s perfect for Easter, potlucks, and family dinners. Learn how to make the best funeral potatoes from scratch — no canned soup needed.

Who has ever heard of the famous Funeral potatoes? They are legendary in the West and I have eaten a fair share of funeral potatoes in my life! I have had some mediocre ones and some absolutely delicious ones so I wanted to create what I would consider the best funeral potatoes in the world. The key is that they need to be creamy, cheesy, rich with a golden and crispy topping.

There are some recipes that are more than just food — they are memories, comfort, and community all wrapped into one dish. Funeral potatoes are one of those recipes.

If you’ve ever had them, you know — creamy, cheesy, golden on top, and impossible to stop eating. But if you haven’t, let me introduce you to one of the most loved comfort foods.

The BEST creamy funeral potatoes with a crispy topping, which are perfect for Easter, potlucks, or comfort food dinners. This cheesy hashbrown casserole made from scratch (no canned soup!) is rich, creamy, and crowd-pleasing. This funeral potatoes recipe is made with a homemade sauce because it tastes SO MUCH BETTER than canned sauce.

Why are they called “Funeral Potatoes”?

The name comes from their roots in church communities, especially in the Mountain West — Utah, Idaho, and Arizona. These potatoes were traditionally served at post-funeral luncheons, where neighbors would bring food to support grieving families.

They became a staple because they are:

• Easy to make in large batches
• Universally loved
• Comforting in a time when people need it most

Over time, they’ve become a go-to for potlucks, holidays, Easter dinners, and family gatherings — but the name has stuck.

A little personal note…

When my brother passed away in a car accident while serving a church mission, our community showed up in the most overwhelming and generous way.

People brought food constantly…so much food that we ran out of space. At one point, neighbors started bringing over extra refrigerators to put in our garage just to hold everything.

And what did we have the most of? Hams and funeral potatoes. Pan after pan after pan.

In the middle of such a devastating time, those meals meant everything. They were love, care, and support. And somewhere in all of that, I became something of an expert on funeral potatoes.

Why you will love these Easy Funeral Potatoes:

Made from scratch for better flavor – Instead of relying on canned soup, this recipe uses a simple homemade sauce that’s smoother, richer, and gives you that true from-scratch taste.

Perfect balance of creamy and crunchy – The cheesy potato base is ultra rich and comforting, while the buttery topping made with kettle chips and corn flakes adds the perfect golden, crispy topping.

A crowd favorite make ahead side dish  – This is one of those classic casseroles that disappears fast at potlucks, holidays, and family dinners! Everyone always goes back for seconds. You can prep it in advance, making it ideal for busy holidays.

What Makes the Best Funeral Potatoes?

These are the ultimate funeral potatoes recipe with sour cream, cheddar, and the crispiest topping. The best funeral potatoes are:

• Creamy but not soupy. You need them to be thick enough to hold together on a plate but creamy enough not to be dry. The homemade sauce makes all of the difference!
• Cheesy and flavorful. A mix of two types of cheese — one for creaminess and the other for a punch of flavor.
• Perfectly seasoned (not bland!). You know that I am a huge proponent of seasonings, especially salt. So many people will undersalt their food and it makes such a difference in the overall flavor. But, we are adding layers of flavors in these creamy funeral potatoes.
• Crispy on top, soft underneath. We are using two types of crunchy topping ingredients — kettle potato chips AND corn flakes cereal.

This version uses a homemade sauce (no canned soup!) for the best flavor and texture.

Ingredients:

The ingredients for this cheesy potato casserole are simple and straightforward, but we’re taking it up a notch by making a rich, homemade cheese sauce from scratch for the best flavor.

• Butter – Adds richness and helps build the base of the sauce while enhancing flavor.
• Onion – Brings a subtle sweetness and depth to balance the creamy ingredients.
• Flour – Thickens the sauce, giving the casserole its creamy texture.
• Milk – Lighter than using cream alone.
• Chicken Broth – Creates a smooth, flavorful base.
• Hash Brown Potatoes – The heart of the dish—tender, hearty, and perfect for soaking up all the flavor.
• Monterey Jack Cheese – Grate your cheese from a block! It will melt beautifully and add a mild, creamy cheesiness.
• Cheddar Cheese – Adds a sharper, richer flavor to balance the dish.
• Sour Cream – Makes the casserole extra creamy with a slight tang.
• Kettle Cooked Potato Chips + Corn Flakes – The ultimate topping combo! It’s crispy, buttery, and full of texture. You can use all chips or all corn flakes depending on preference. I like to use a mix.

How to make the Best Funeral Potatoes from scratch:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. Make the sauce: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk and chicken broth until smooth and thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Add the creamy ingredients: Remove from heat and stir in sour cream, Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
4. Mix with potatoes: Add the frozen hash browns and mix until fully coated. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
5. Make the topping: Crush the kettle potato chips and corn flakes and sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
6. Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let rest before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Storage:

Fridge:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.

Freezer:
Freeze (without topping) for up to 2–3 months. Add fresh topping before baking.

Reheat:
Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave individual portions. Add extra topping if needed to refresh the crunch.

Potato Side Dishes:

I have so many popular potato recipes, and here are some of my favorites…

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Oven Roasted Potatoes

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Boursin Cheese Creamy Mashed Potatoes