Easy Funeral Potatoes Mormon Cheesy Hash Brown is the kind of cozy casserole I make when I need something that feels like a warm hug and I do not have the energy to fuss. You know those days when you have people coming over, the sink is full, and you still want dinner to be a guaranteed win. This is my go to because it is basically cheesy potatoes with a crunchy top, and nobody ever complains about cheesy potatoes. It also travels well, which is huge for potlucks and family dinners. If you have a bag of frozen hash browns sitting in the freezer, you are already halfway there.
Ingredients For Funeral Potatoes
This recipe is simple, and that is part of the magic. The ingredient list is mostly pantry and fridge stuff, and the frozen hash browns do all the heavy lifting. I have made this with fancy cheese and bargain cheese, name brand and store brand, and it always comes out comforting and tasty.
If you want a super close version to what I grew up eating, take a look at this post too: easy funeral potatoes cheesy hash brown casserole. It is right in the same cozy lane.
- Frozen shredded hash browns, thawed a bit so they mix easily
- Sour cream for that tangy creamy base
- Cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom if that is your thing
- Shredded cheddar cheese, and yes, add extra if you want
- Butter, melted
- Onion, finely chopped or use onion powder when you are feeling lazy
- Salt and pepper
- Cornflakes or crushed buttery crackers for the crunchy topping
Little tip from my own kitchen: if your hash browns are watery after thawing, just squeeze them gently in a clean towel. Nobody wants a soupy casserole. Also, shredding cheese yourself melts a bit smoother, but pre shredded works fine when you need speed.
One more thing I like to keep in mind: if you are cooking for a crowd that does not eat chicken, cream of celery soup is a good substitute and still tastes classic.
How To Make Funeral Potatoes
Okay, here is the part I love. This is basically mix, dump, top, bake. If you can stir things together, you can make this. I have thrown this together while chatting with friends in my kitchen and it still turned out great.
My simple step by step method
1. Heat your oven to 350 F. Lightly butter or spray a casserole dish. I usually use a 9 by 13 because I like a thinner layer with lots of crunchy top.
2. In a big bowl, stir together sour cream, cream soup, melted butter, onion, salt, pepper, and about two cups of shredded cheese. Then fold in the hash browns until everything is coated and evenly mixed.
3. Spread it into the dish and smooth the top. Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese because more cheese is never the wrong move here.
4. For the topping, mix crushed cornflakes or crackers with a little melted butter, then sprinkle it all over the top. This is what gives that golden crunch that people fight over.
5. Bake until hot and bubbly and the top is golden. In my oven it is usually around 45 minutes. If you like it extra browned, you can let it go a few more minutes.
When it comes out, let it sit for about 10 minutes before serving. That little rest makes it easier to scoop and it stays creamy instead of sliding everywhere.
If you are into breakfast style casseroles, you would probably also like this one: easy bacon egg and hashbrown casserole. Same comfort level, just morning vibes.
I brought this to a neighborhood dinner and it was the first pan to disappear. Even the picky kids asked for seconds, and one person texted me the next day for the recipe.
Variations + Swaps
This is where you can make it fit your life. I have made Easy Funeral Potatoes Mormon Cheesy Hash Brown a bunch of different ways depending on what I had and who I was feeding. The base idea stays the same, so do not stress.
Easy swaps that still taste great
Soup options: Cream of chicken is the classic, but cream of mushroom or cream of celery works too. If you want a more homemade vibe, you can make a quick white sauce, but honestly I usually stick with the can because it is easy.
Cheese choices: Cheddar is the standard. A mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack is really good. Pepper jack adds a little kick without being too spicy for most people.
Add ins: If you want this to feel like a full meal, you can add cooked diced ham, shredded chicken, or even browned sausage. I have also tossed in a handful of chopped green onions for a fresh bite.
Topping ideas: Cornflakes are the traditional crunchy top. Crushed Ritz style crackers are buttery and amazing. If you are gluten free, try gluten free crackers or just skip the topping and add extra cheese. It will still be delicious, just less crunchy.
If you like a super streamlined version with minimal ingredients, this one is a nice shortcut: 5 ingredient cheesy hashbrown casserole. It is perfect for those weeks when you are running on fumes.
Also, if you love creamy potato bakes in general, you might want to peek at easy cheesy scalloped potatoes creamy oven baked. Different style, same comfort.
Why They’re Called Funeral Potatoes
This name can catch people off guard if they have never heard it. Easy Funeral Potatoes Mormon Cheesy Hash Brown is a classic in a lot of communities in the American West, especially in Utah and among Mormon families. The dish shows up at gatherings where you need something filling, comforting, and easy to serve to a lot of people.
At funeral luncheons and after service meals, the food is usually about taking care of people. Nobody wants something fussy. This casserole is warm, familiar, and it feeds a crowd without being expensive. So the nickname stuck, and now it is basically famous.
Even outside of that tradition, I think it makes total sense. When life is heavy or busy, people lean into simple comfort food. And that is exactly what this is.
How To Freeze
I am a huge fan of freezing this because it feels like giving your future self a gift. Easy Funeral Potatoes Mormon Cheesy Hash Brown freezes better than you might expect, especially if you handle the topping the right way.
Freezing tips that actually work
To freeze before baking: Mix everything and spread it in the dish, but stop before adding the crunchy topping. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze up to 2 months. When you are ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, add the topping fresh, and bake as usual.
To freeze after baking: Let the casserole cool completely. Wrap tightly and freeze. The topping will soften a bit after freezing, so if you care about crunch, you can add a fresh handful of buttered cornflakes on top before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat covered at 350 F until hot in the middle. If the top needs help, uncover for the last 10 minutes.
If you love the idea of hands off comfort food, you might also like this crockpot version: easy crack potatoes crockpot cheesy ranch. It is different, but it scratches the same cheesy potato itch.
Common Questions
Can I make this the night before?
Yes. Mix it up, put it in the dish, cover, and refrigerate. Add the crunchy topping right before baking so it stays crisp.
Do I have to thaw the hash browns?
I recommend partially thawing because it mixes easier and bakes more evenly. If you forget, you can still make it, just plan on a little extra bake time.
What goes well with it?
Anything simple. Ham, roasted chicken, salad, or even just steamed broccoli. It is rich, so something fresh on the side is nice.
Can I use diced hash browns instead of shredded?
Yep. The texture is a little chunkier, but it still works. Just make sure they are not super icy when you mix them in.
How do I keep it from getting greasy?
Do not overdo the butter, and use a cheese you like but that is not overly oily. Letting it rest after baking also helps it settle.
A cozy dish you will make again and again
If you need one casserole that always makes people happy, Easy Funeral Potatoes Mormon Cheesy Hash Brown is it. It is creamy, cheesy, and that crunchy topping is basically the reason I keep making it. Save it for potlucks, holidays, or a random Tuesday when you want comfort food without drama. If you want to compare other reliable versions, these two are worth a look: Funeral Potatoes (Hash Brown Casserole) Recipe – Allrecipes and Funeral Potatoes | The Modern Proper. Now go grab that bag of hash browns and make it happen, you are going to love how easy it is. 
Funeral Potatoes
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly butter or spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- In a large bowl, stir together sour cream, cream soup, melted butter, chopped onion, salt, pepper, and about two cups of shredded cheese. Fold in the thawed hash browns until everything is evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared dish and smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the crushed cornflakes or crackers with some melted butter, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheesy hash browns.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until hot and bubbly and the top is golden brown. For a crispier top, bake an additional few minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
