Utah funeral potatoes are comfort food at its best, and our version is made from scratch and keeps things extra delicious. We skip the canned soups and use a simple creamy homemade sauce topped with freshly cut russet potatoes. You haven't lived until you've tried funeral potatoes! Despite its name, this dish is only suitable for funerals—it's great to bring to all parties and family gatherings.
For more delicious potato recipes, try ours Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes or us Easy Roasted Parmesan Pesto Potatoes.
Why our recipe?
- Made from scratch using russet potatoes and a homemade sauce. No cream here!
- Top with melted cheddar cheese and crunchy crushed cornflakes for the perfect finish.
- Tips on how to double the recipe or make it great for a big dinner.
These are a very popular comfort food in the Midwest thanks to the delicious cheesy and creamy potatoes. Everyone will definitely keep coming back for more, so you'll want to make sure there's enough for a few servings for everyone! These funeral potatoes are full of all the best ingredients. Who can say no to potatoes with cream and cheese? Of course we can't! And even better, this recipe comes together so easily!
Material notes
- onion: A white or yellow onion will work in this recipe. We recommend dicing or mincing it so it mixes well with the potatoes.
- Chicken Broth: You can use a can of stock or broth for this. You can also use vegetable broth if you don't have any chicken broth on hand.
- Heavy Cream: This is strongly preferred. You can substitute half and half, but it won't be as creamy.
- Sour Cream: It adds a bit of tang and even more creaminess to the sauce.
- Fresh Parsley: Fresh is best, but you can substitute 1 teaspoon dried.
- Hot Sauce: Use your favorite hot sauce! A concentrated vinegar-based hot sauce such as Tabasco will work best. It doesn't add heat, just flavor.
- Russet Potatoes: You will want to peel the potatoes for this recipe. If you don't have time for that, you can buy frozen shredded potatoes, also known as hashbrowns.
- Sharp cheddar cheese: Keep it sharp for extra flavor.
- Crushed Corn Flakes: Provides the perfect crunchy topping. Bread crumbs or crushed Ritz crackers can work as substitutes.
Name and origin
Funeral potatoes earned their unique name from their frequent appearance at post-funeral luncheons in the Mountain West, especially in Utah. Every family seems to have their own spin on this dish. Since The Stay At Home Chef is based in Utah, it only makes sense to share our version! Whether you call them funeral potatoes or something else, they're always delicious.
The local tradition is to have neighbors and the local church community provide food to the family after a funeral service. This hot dish casserole has become a staple because it's easy to feed a crowd, as well as providing a comforting meal. It is not limited to funerals. It's a popular choice for family dinners, holiday tables and potlucks across the country
Double and triple this recipe
This is truly one of the best dishes to take to large gatherings as it is sure to be a hit! If you want to make a larger batch, it's very easy to double or triple this recipe and make multiple pans.
To double the recipe, multiply each ingredient by two. Prepare sauce and potato mixture as directed, then divide between two 9×13-inch baking dishes or use a large roasting pan if you have oven space.
If you triple the recipe, using three 9×13-inch pans is your best bet for even baking and handling. Be aware that if you are using a thick or deep dish, you may need to increase the baking time by about 10-15 minutes to ensure that the potatoes are tender throughout. With multiple pans, check each one for doneness, as they may cook at slightly different rates based on their position in the oven.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You'll want to bake the funeral potatoes before serving them, but you can prepare them ahead of time if you need to! To make it ahead, prepare the potato mixture and sauce as directed and pour it into your baking dish. Then, add the first layer of cheese but squeeze over the cornflake topping and melted butter. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to bake, simply add the cornflake topping, drizzle with melted butter and bake as directed.
Storage and reheating instructions
Keep in fridge Leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days.
to freeze Store leftovers in an airtight container or resealable plastic freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheat Microwave portions on high in 30-second increments.
