French Onion Funeral Potatoes

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French Onion Funeral Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food casserole, layered with creamy potatoes, sweet caramelized onions, and a buttery crunchy topping. Whether you’re serving them at a family gathering, potluck, or holiday dinner, this dish never fails to steal the show. The name might sound somber, but these cheesy, golden potatoes bring nothing but joy to the table.

There’s something undeniably nostalgic about this kind of potato bake. It combines the heartiness of hash browns with the rich flavor of French onion soup, all tucked into a luscious creamy sauce. Topped with crushed cornflakes or crispy fried onions, it’s the kind of side dish that makes you sneak seconds (or thirds) without hesitation.

Why You’ll Love This French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe

This dish takes all the best parts of a classic funeral potatoes recipe and gives them a savory upgrade with caramelized onions and French onion seasoning. It’s easy to prep ahead of time and travels well, making it perfect for gatherings. The creamy interior and crispy topping hit every texture craving, while the rich onion flavor takes things to a whole new level.

What Kind of Potatoes Should I Use?

Frozen shredded hash browns are the go-to for this recipe. They save time and absorb all the creamy, cheesy goodness beautifully. You could also use diced hash browns if you want a chunkier texture. Just avoid fresh potatoes unless you parboil them first—they won’t soften properly during baking.

Ingredients for the French Onion Funeral Potatoes

This recipe is all about cozy flavor. Each ingredient plays a role in building up the comforting base and irresistible topping that make these potatoes shine.

  • Frozen shredded hash browns
  • Caramelized onions
  • Sour cream
  • Cream of mushroom soup
  • French onion soup mix
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Butter
  • Crushed cornflakes or crispy fried onions
  • Salt and black pepper
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How To Make the French Onion Funeral Potatoes

Step 1: Prep the Onions

Start by slowly caramelizing thinly sliced onions in a bit of butter until golden brown and sweet. This step takes time but is worth every minute for that deep, savory flavor.

Step 2: Mix the Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, French onion soup mix, caramelized onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and season with salt and pepper. Add the frozen hash browns and stir everything together until well combined.

Step 3: Assemble and Top

Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Melt butter and mix it with your topping of choice—either crushed cornflakes or crispy fried onions—then sprinkle evenly over the top of the potato mixture.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving so it sets just enough to scoop easily.

How to Serve and Store French Onion Funeral Potatoes

This recipe makes enough to serve 8 to 10 generous portions, making it ideal for feeding a crowd. Serve it warm, straight from the oven as a hearty side alongside meats or casseroles. If you have leftovers, store them covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through. To freeze, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months, then thaw in the fridge before baking.

What to Serve With French Onion Funeral Potatoes?

Herb-Crusted Baked Chicken

The crispy and savory chicken contrasts beautifully with the creamy potatoes.

Garlic Butter Green Beans

A fresh and snappy side to lighten up the richness.

Honey-Glazed Ham

Perfect for holidays or Sunday dinners, this combo is a match made in heaven.

Garden Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette

A crisp salad adds balance and freshness to your plate.

Classic Caprese Salad

Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil bring a light and colorful element to the meal.

Southern Meatloaf

Old-school meatloaf paired with these potatoes is pure comfort.

BBQ Pulled Pork

Tender and saucy pork pairs well with the creamy, cheesy base.

Crispy Jalapeno Popper Egg Rolls

Add a crunchy, spicy starter to contrast the soft potato casserole.

Want More Casserole Ideas?

If you love these French Onion Funeral Potatoes, you’ll definitely want to check out these other comfort-filled casseroles:

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📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go with cornflakes or crispy onions? Add bacon or a little garlic?

I love seeing how others tweak this one to make it their own.

Explore beautifully curated comfort food casseroles on Janet Dishes on Pinterest and discover new crowd-pleasers to add to your rotation.

Conclusion

French Onion Funeral Potatoes are creamy, cheesy, crispy, and packed with rich flavor. They’re an instant classic, whether you’re serving them at a family dinner or bringing them to a gathering. Easy to make and impossible to resist, this is one dish that always gets asked for again.

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French Onion Funeral Potatoes


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  • Author: Janet Reynolds
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A cozy and irresistible side dish, these French Onion Funeral Potatoes combine frozen hash browns, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, and a crispy topping. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or comfort food dinners. Cheesy potato casserole, creamy funeral potatoes, holiday side dish.


Ingredients

2 pounds frozen shredded hash browns

2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced

1 cup sour cream

1 can cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz)

1 packet French onion soup mix

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

4 tablespoons butter, divided

2 cups crushed cornflakes or crispy fried onions

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper


Instructions

1. In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and slowly cook the sliced onions over medium-low heat until caramelized and golden, about 25–30 minutes. Stir occasionally.

2. In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, French onion soup mix, caramelized onions, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper.

3. Add the frozen shredded hash browns to the bowl and mix until everything is evenly coated.

4. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the potato mixture evenly inside.

5. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and mix with the crushed cornflakes or fried onions. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.

6. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 45 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.

7. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to allow the dish to set.

Notes

Use frozen hash browns straight from the bag without thawing for best texture.

Caramelizing the onions low and slow builds deep flavor—don’t rush this step.

Cornflakes offer crunch, but fried onions bring an extra punch of onion flavor.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 310
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 780mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 7g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

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