Cheesy Funeral Potatoes Recipe (Classic Special Potatoes)

Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole for Holidays, Ham, and Potlucks

This cheesy funeral potatoes recipe is the classic comfort-food side dish you’ll see at holidays, potlucks, and family gatherings. It’s made with thawed frozen hash browns, a creamy sauce, plenty of cheese, and a crunchy topping that bakes up golden and irresistible.

Some families call these funeral potatoes, others call them special potatoes, holiday potatoes, or even “sinful potatoes.” No matter what you call them, this is the version we keep coming back to because it’s easy, crowd-friendly, and consistently creamy (not runny).

Want to see another popular take for comparison? Food Network also has a well-loved version of funeral potatoes you can peek at for inspiration: Funeral Potatoes (Food Network).

Why These Cheesy Funeral Potatoes Are Always a Hit

Anytime we have ham, I feel like we have to have these special potatoes too, especially around Christmas and Easter. They’re rich and comforting, and they feed a crowd without a lot of fuss.

They also pair surprisingly well with grilled meats, like ribs or steak.

If you really love potatoes, satisfy your cravings with all our other potato recipes.

Ingredients for Classic Funeral Potatoes

I like to use this homemade cream of chicken soup in place of the canned stuff any time I can. It’s still easy, and I think it makes these special potatoes taste even better.

How to Mix Funeral Potatoes

Just dump all of the filling ingredients into a big bowl and stir to combine. So easy.

I use one of my largest mixing bowls, and it is barely big enough, but somehow I manage to mix everything together without making too big of a mess.

After you mix it up, pour it into the baking dish and top with the cheese and chips. Then bake it and you’re done.

Funeral Potatoes Topping Options (Chips, Corn Flakes, or Panko)

Cheesy potatoes with corn flakes on top are delicious, but I love the substitution of potato chips. My family just doesn’t eat corn flakes very often, so I have a hard time using up the rest of the cereal.

Potato chips, however, disappear quickly. And when you use chips on top, you don’t need to add more melted butter. Super tasty and even easier.

More reader-favorite topping ideas: Some readers also love using Panko bread crumbs for an extra crisp finish, especially when that’s what they have on hand.

Reader Tips and Simple Variations

• Do the potatoes need to be cooked first? No. If you’re using frozen shredded hash browns, thaw them first, then mix and bake. They cook through in the casserole.
• Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen? You can, but frozen hash browns usually give the most consistent texture. Fresh potatoes can release more moisture.
• Soup swaps: Some families use cheddar cheese soup and/or cream of mushroom for a slightly different flavor profile.
• Tater tot version: If your family loves tater tots, you can use them as a fun twist (it’s a popular variation for holidays).

Hope You Enjoy These Cheesy Funeral Potatoes

Some funeral potato recipes I’ve tried end up too runny in my opinion, or with an overpowering flavor. To me, this recipe has just the right consistency (full and thick) and a wonderful combination of flavors.

These special potatoes are perfect for special occasions, served with ham, and/or for feeding a large crowd.

Serving Size and Doubling Tips

This recipe fills a standard 9×13 pan. As a side dish, plan on about 8 large servings or roughly 10–11 medium servings, depending on your crowd.

If you’re feeding a bigger group (hello, holiday meals), it’s easy to double. Many readers find it simplest to mix two separate batches and bake in two 9×13 pans at the same time.

Additional Notes

This recipe is slightly adapted from a recipe shared by my cousin in my family cookbook. Thanks, Jessica, for the awesome idea of using potato chips on top.

This is the perfect dish to make and serve your funeral potatoes in

Funeral Potatoes Recipe FAQs

Do you cook the hash browns before making funeral potatoes?
No. Thaw frozen hash browns first, then mix everything together and bake. The potatoes cook through in the casserole.

Can you make funeral potatoes ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add the topping right before baking so it stays crisp.

Can you freeze funeral potatoes?
Yes. Freeze before baking for best results. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?
You can, but frozen hash browns tend to bake up more consistently. Fresh potatoes may release more moisture.

What can I substitute for cream of chicken soup?
Cream of mushroom is a common swap. Some families also like using cheddar cheese soup for a richer, cheesier flavor.

More Side Dish Ideas

• Slow Cooker Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes Recipe
• Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
• Loaded Potato Soup Recipe
• Amazing Bacon Cornbread Stuffing Recipe
• Lemon Herb Potato Salad Recipe

See all our side dish recipes here

Want More Easy Recipes?

Subscribe to our weekly emails for new recipes, dinner ideas, and seasonal favorites.

Easy Special Potatoes Recipe (Funeral Potatoes)

These are called special potatoes for a reason. They're crispy, flavorful, and so easy to make!

4.57 / 5 ( 16 Reviews )

Print Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Serves: 12

Adjust Servings: 12

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• 9x13-inch pan

Ingredients

Filling:

• 3 pounds frozen cubed potatoes
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom
• 1 onion chopped (about 1 cup)
• ½ cup unsalted butter melted
• 16 ounces sour cream about 2 cups
• salt and pepper

Topping:

• 1 ½ cups crushed original potato chips
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C
• In a very large bowl, mix together the filling ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour filling into a 9x13 baking dish.
• Sprinkle the top with cheese and crushed potato chips.
• Bake for about 50-60 minutes, until the top is golden, the filling is bubbling, and it is warmed throughout. (If you use frozen shredded hash browns instead of the cubed, you can decrease the baking time by about 20 minutes.)

Recipe Notes

For the topping, you can skip the potato chips and use 1 1/2 cups crushed corn flakes (or other crushed corn cereal) over the cheese. Then drizzle 1/4-1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted) to top it all off.

Nutrition

Calories: 403kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 28g | Sodium: 266mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g