These cheesy potatoes are also called funeral potatoes because they're the perfect comfort dish! Not only a hit at funerals, but it's the best party potatoes for any gathering!
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📖 About this Recipe
You may already have a recipe for cheesy potatoes, but today I'm sharing mine! Many of us know these best as "funeral potatoes" because they're served as a hot comforting dish at potluck gatherings after funerals.
These party potatoes are served hot at any event! I make sure to serve them every Easter next to the ham, but this dish is perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, too!
🧾 Ingredient List
A bag of frozen potatoes (shredded or diced) makes this cheesy potato casserole so very easy! Allow the frozen hash browns to partially thaw before mixing into the rest of the ingredients. What else is included in my recipe? I'm glad you asked!
What you need for cheesy potatoes:
- Frozen diced hash browns (2 lb bag)
- Sour cream (16 oz)
- Onion (1 yellow)
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups)
- Cream of chicken soup (1 can)
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, plus another ½ cup for topping)
- Onion powder (1 teaspoon)
- Salt (1 teaspoon)
- Garlic powder (½ teaspoon)
- Ritz crackers (2 sleeves)
Guess what? You just need to mix these ingredients together in ONE bowl then spread them into the 9x13-inch casserole dish! Wait to top the cheesy potatoes with the Ritz crackers topping until the last 10 minutes of baking. Bake the casserole for a total of about 1 hour -- you want it hot and bubbling!
👩🏽🍳 How to Make This Recipe
Cheesy potatoes is really very simple but OH! so delicious! The general steps are as follows:
- Mix all ingredients except the topping in a large bowl.
- Spread evenly in greased 9x13-inch pan.
- Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 45 minutes.
- Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle evenly over top of casserole.
- Bake an additional 10 minutes.
Click here for full recipe ingredients and instructions.
🔪 Variations
Shredded potatoes: My recipe for cheesy potatoes calls for frozen diced hash browns instead of shredded. I just prefer it this way, but you can definitely sub them out for the shredded potatoes!
Topping options: We love the buttery crisp topping of crushed Ritz crackers, but you can also try other toppings like cornflakes cereal, saltines, potato chips, or french fried onions -- and they're equally as delicious! We always have Ritz crackers on hand, so that's what I typically use.
Onions: This recipe tosses the raw onions right into the mix and allows them to cook with the casserole. However, if you'd like a softer onion bite, take a few minutes to cook the onions in a pan with oil before adding to the mix.
♨️ Storage and Leftovers
Store leftovers covered in the fridge then reheat in the oven for best results. The microwave is fine, but to get a crispier topping again you will want to use the oven, or toaster oven!
You can freeze these cheesy potatoes. Prep them in a foil casserole dish but leave off the Ritz topping. Thaw overnight in the fridge the day before you want to bake them. I recommend placing the dish in the oven while it's preheating so the potatoes are warming up and to help them cook through.
🥔 More Delicious Potato Recipes
If you love these cheesy potatoes, you will also like to try these potato dishes:
- Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
- Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Lemon Garlic Baby Potatoes
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup
- Potato Vegetable Casserole Supreme
- Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
- Cheesy Bacon Potato Skins
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This recipe was originally published November 2008 and most recently updated with new recipe tips March 2021.
Recipe Card
Cheesy Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 lb. frozen diced hash brown potatoes , partially thawed
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 16 oz. sour cream
- 1 can (10 oz.) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup diced onions
- ½ cup unsalted butter , melted
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the topping:
- 2 sleeves Ritz crackers
- ½ cup unsalted butter , melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray; set aside.
- Mix all ingredients (minus the topping) in a large bowl. Spread evenly into prepared dish. Bake 45 minutes.
- Combine the topping ingredients in a medium bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the potatoes and bake an additional 10 minutes until crispy.
Notes
- Use shredded potatoes if you prefer over diced.
- If you like the onions cooked more, saute in a pan with a tablespoon oil for about 5 minutes before adding to the mixture.
- Try other toppings like cornflakes, saltines, potato chips, or french fried onions.
- Best reheated in the oven or toaster oven, but a microwave will do.
- Nutrition information is an estimate only.
Katie says
Haha. What a great idea! they are so cute!