Funeral Potatoes are the quintessential comfort food casserole, perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and yes, even funeral luncheons. This creamy, cheesy potato dish, topped with a buttery, crunchy cornflake crust, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. If you’re searching for a recipe that embodies the hearty, home-style cooking spirit of the Pioneer Woman, look no further. This Funeral Potatoes recipe brings together simple ingredients to create a dish that’s both incredibly satisfying and easy to make.
What are Funeral Potatoes? And Why Are They Called That?
For those unfamiliar, Funeral Potatoes might sound a bit somber. The name comes from their traditional role as a comforting dish served at post-funeral gatherings. In times of mourning, providing easy-to-serve, crowd-pleasing food is a thoughtful gesture, and Funeral Potatoes fit the bill perfectly. However, don’t let the name fool you – these cheesy potatoes are far from sad! They are a celebration of simple, delicious flavors and textures, making them welcome at any table, from holiday dinners to casual weeknight meals. Think of them as the ultimate cheesy potato casserole, gooey on the inside and delightfully crunchy on top.
This recipe echoes the kind of fuss-free, flavorful cooking championed by Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman. Her recipes are all about approachable comfort food that families love, and Funeral Potatoes align perfectly with that philosophy. Just like Pioneer Woman recipes, this dish relies on pantry staples and straightforward techniques to deliver maximum flavor and satisfaction.
Key Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Style Funeral Potatoes
To make this comforting casserole, you’ll need a handful of simple ingredients that come together beautifully:
- Hash Browns: The base of our casserole. You can use frozen shredded hash browns for convenience, or if you’re feeling ambitious, shred your own fresh potatoes like the Pioneer Woman might! Shredded or diced hash browns both work, depending on your preference.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: This provides the creamy, savory base that holds the casserole together. Cream of mushroom soup can also be substituted for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and richness to the potato mixture, creating that signature gooey texture.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Lots of cheese is key! Sharp cheddar provides a robust flavor that complements the creamy potatoes perfectly. Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Colby Jack or Monterey Jack for a milder taste.
- Melted Butter: Butter is essential for both flavor and texture. It’s incorporated into the potato mixture and, most importantly, used to create the crispy cornflake topping.
- Corn Flakes: The secret to the incredible crunchy topping! Crushed corn flakes mixed with melted butter create a golden brown crust that contrasts wonderfully with the creamy potatoes underneath. Some variations even use crushed potato chips for an extra salty crunch.
- Green Onions: These add a touch of freshness and mild onion flavor to balance the richness of the casserole.
Funeral Potatoes – creamy, cheesy potatoes topped with buttery crunchy cornflakes. These are always a hit at get togethers. #funeral #potatoes #sides #dish #recipe #potluck
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Funeral Potatoes
Making Funeral Potatoes is incredibly easy, just like many of Pioneer Woman’s recipes. Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, melted butter, and sliced green onions. This creamy mixture is the heart of your Funeral Potatoes.
- Add Hash Browns: Add the thawed hash browns to the bowl and mix everything thoroughly until the potatoes are evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
- Prepare Cornflake Topping: In a ziploc bag, lightly crush the corn flakes. In a separate small bowl, stir together the crushed corn flakes and melted butter until the corn flakes are evenly coated. Set aside for topping.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the potato mixture into a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 40-50 minutes. This initial baking time allows the potatoes to heat through and the casserole to become bubbly.
- Add Topping and Finish Baking: Remove the foil from the casserole dish. Sprinkle the cornflake topping evenly over the potatoes. Bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the potatoes are bubbling hot. The cornflake topping should be nicely browned and crispy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the Funeral Potatoes cool slightly before serving. They are delicious served hot and are the perfect side dish for ham, chicken, or beef.
potato mixture
Tips and Variations for Perfect Funeral Potatoes
- Fresh Potatoes: While frozen hash browns are convenient, you can absolutely make Funeral Potatoes from scratch using fresh grated potatoes, just like a true Pioneer Woman might prefer! Be sure to squeeze out excess moisture from the grated potatoes before adding them to the mixture.
- Make Ahead: Funeral Potatoes are a great make-ahead dish. You can assemble the casserole (without the cornflake topping) a day ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, simply add the topping and bake as directed.
- Freezing Instructions: Yes, you can freeze Funeral Potatoes! For best results, freeze the casserole before adding the cornflake topping. Wrap tightly in freezer-safe wrap and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. Add the cornflake topping just before baking.
- Cheese Variations: Experiment with different types of cheese! Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a blend of cheddar and Gruyere would all be delicious.
- Additions: For extra flavor, consider adding cooked bacon bits, diced ham, or sautéed onions to the potato mixture.
Funeral potatoes in a dish
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Funeral Potatoes recipe is destined to become a family favorite, much like the comforting recipes Ree Drummond shares. It’s:
- Easy to Make: Minimal prep time and straightforward instructions make this recipe perfect for busy cooks.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Everyone loves cheesy potatoes! This casserole is always a hit at gatherings.
- Comforting and Delicious: The creamy, cheesy potatoes and crunchy topping are incredibly satisfying and flavorful.
- Versatile: Perfect as a side dish for holidays, potlucks, or weeknight dinners.
Gooey Potatoes – creamy, cheesy potatoes topped with buttery crunchy cornflakes. Some people call these funeral potatoes but this name is much less morbid. the-girl-who-ate-everything.com
Get Ready to Bake Your Own Pioneer Woman Inspired Funeral Potatoes!
Whether you call them Funeral Potatoes, Gooey Potatoes, or Party Potatoes, this cheesy potato casserole is a guaranteed winner. Embrace the spirit of home-style cooking and whip up a batch of these comforting potatoes for your next gathering. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this dish disappears!
Pioneer Woman Funeral Potatoes Recipe Card
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 (2 lb) bag of frozen cubed or shredded hash browns, thawed
- 2 cups sour cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- (Optional) Small bunch of green onions, sliced
Topping:
- 2-3 cups Corn flakes
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a large bowl, combine hash browns, sour cream, cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, melted butter, and green onions (if using). Mix well.
- For the topping: Lightly crush corn flakes in a ziploc bag. Mix crushed corn flakes with melted butter.
- Pour potato mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 50-60 minutes.
- Remove foil, sprinkle corn flake topping over casserole, and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until topping is browned and potatoes are bubbly.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Recipe Notes:
- Source: Inspired by classic funeral potato recipes and the comforting cooking style of Pioneer Woman.
- Variations: Add bacon, ham, or different cheeses to customize your casserole.
- Freezing: Freeze casserole before adding topping for best results.
