A Cozy Dish for a Crowd
This recipe is my go-to for big family gatherings. It fills the whole house with a wonderful smell. Everyone always asks for the recipe.
I call them “Funeral Potatoes” with a smile. The name sounds sad, but the dish is pure joy. It is meant to be shared with people you love. That is what good food is all about.
Let’s Get Mixing
First, get your hash browns, cheese, and sour cream ready. Put them all in a big bowl. Add that melted butter and give it a good stir.
My grandson loves to help with this part. He says it feels like squishing mud. I still laugh at that. Getting your hands in the food is part of the fun.
The Secret is in the Sauce
Now, we make the magic sauce. Cook your onions in butter until they are soft. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Then you add the garlic and spices.
This is where the flavor comes alive. The flour thickens everything up. Then the broth and milk make it creamy and smooth. Pour this right over your potato mix.
What is your favorite cozy spice? Is it the pepper or the cayenne? Let me know.
The Best Part: Crispy Onions
While the dish bakes, we make the topping. We fry thin onion rings until they are golden and crisp. They add a wonderful crunch.
Fun fact: Frying the onions makes them sweet and nutty. It changes their flavor completely.
Be very careful with the hot oil. I always use a big pot so it does not splash. Do you prefer crunchy or soft onions on your food?
Time to Bake and Share
Pop your dish in the oven. In about 45 minutes, it will be bubbly and golden. Your kitchen will smell so good.
This dish matters because it brings people together. It is warm and comforting. It tells your family you care enough to cook something special.
A Dish Full of Memories
Food is more than just eating. It is about the memories we make. This casserole reminds me of laughing with my sisters in the kitchen.
Sharing a meal matters. It connects us. It is a simple way to show love. What is a dish that always makes you think of your family?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen cubed hash browns | 32 oz | Thawed |
| Unsalted butter | 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) | Melted, for potatoes |
| Sharp cheddar cheese | 2 cups | Shredded |
| Sour cream | 1 1/2 cups | |
| Unsalted butter | 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) | For sauce |
| Yellow onion | 1 small | Diced, for sauce |
| Garlic | 2 teaspoons | Minced |
| All-purpose flour | 1/4 cup | |
| Kosher salt | 1 teaspoon | For sauce |
| Black pepper | 1/2 teaspoon | |
| Cayenne pepper | 1/2 teaspoon | |
| Dried mustard | 1/2 teaspoon | |
| Chicken broth | 1/2 cup | |
| Whole milk | 1/2 cup | |
| Yellow onions | 2 large | Thinly sliced and separated into rings, for topping |
| Vegetable oil | 4 cups | For frying |
| Kosher salt | 1/2 teaspoon | For topping |
My Cozy French Onion Funeral Potatoes
Hello, my dear! Let’s make my special potato casserole. It’s the coziest dish you’ll ever eat. I call them my “funeral potatoes,” but they are for living and laughing. The name is funny, I know. I still laugh at that. It’s a warm, cheesy hug on a plate. Perfect for sharing with people you love.
This recipe has a secret. We make our own crispy onions for the top. It adds such a wonderful crunch. My grandson says it’s the best part. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Let’s get our hands busy. You will love how simple it is.
Ingredients
- 1 (30 oz) package frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced into rings (for topping)
- 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
Step 1: First, turn your oven on to 350°F. Grease your favorite baking dish. I use my old blue one. It has seen many family dinners. Now, put the hash browns in a big bowl. Add the melted butter, cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Mix it all together with your hands or a spoon. It feels so good to mix it.
Step 2: Let’s make the sauce. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a pan on the stove. Toss in your diced onions. Cook them until they look soft and shiny. Then add the garlic. Oh, the smell is just wonderful. It reminds me of my own grandma’s kitchen.
Step 3: Now, sprinkle in the flour and all the spices. This makes a roux. Stir it for one minute. (A hard-learned tip: don’t walk away! It can burn so fast). Slowly pour in the chicken broth and milk. Keep whisking until it gets nice and thick.
Step 4: Pour that lovely sauce over your potato mixture. Stir it all up so every piece is coated. Then put it all into your baking dish. Pop it in the oven for about 45 minutes. You will know it’s done when the edges are bubbly. Do you prefer your casserole edges soft or a little crispy? Share below!
Step 5: While it bakes, we make the crispy onions. Heat oil in a deep pan. Carefully fry the onion rings in small batches. They turn a light golden brown. Take them out and let them drain on a paper towel. Sprinkle them with salt right away. When the casserole comes out, cover the top with these onions.
Cook Time: 45–50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Side Dish, Casserole
Three Tasty Twists to Try
This recipe is like a good friend. It’s happy to change things up. Here are some fun ways to make it new. I love trying little changes. It keeps my family guessing what I’ll make next.
The Bacon Lover’s Dream. Mix in a whole cup of cooked, crumbled bacon. Everything is better with bacon, don’t you think?
Green Goddess Style. Stir in a cup of chopped fresh spinach. It adds a pretty pop of green and goodness.
Everything Bagel Fun. Swap the crispy onions for everything bagel seasoning. Just sprinkle it on top before baking. So easy and so good!
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving Your Masterpiece
Now, let’s talk about serving this cozy dish. I like to put it right in the middle of the table. It makes everyone feel at home. For a full meal, serve it with a simple green salad. The fresh greens are perfect with the rich potatoes. A slice of warm, crusty bread is nice too. You can wipe your plate clean with it.
What should we drink with it? A cold glass of apple cider is wonderful. It’s sweet and tangy. For the grown-ups, a pale ale is a nice choice. The beer cuts through the richness so well. It’s a perfect pairing for a cozy night in. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Funeral Potatoes Cozy
This casserole keeps well in the fridge. Cover it tightly for up to three days. You can also freeze it before baking for a future meal. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight.
Reheating is simple. Warm individual portions in the microwave. For the whole dish, use the oven at 350°F. This keeps the texture just right. I once reheated it too fast and it got soggy.
Batch cooking this dish saves busy weeknights. Making two means one for now and one for later. This matters because a ready-made meal feels like a warm hug after a long day.
Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Troubles
Is your sauce too thin? Just add a little more flour. Cook it for one more minute while stirring. This will help it thicken up nicely.
Are the onions burning? Your heat might be too high. Cook them slowly over medium heat. I remember when I rushed this step and had to start over. Getting the onions soft and sweet matters for the best flavor.
Is the casserole too dry? Try adding a splash more milk next time. A good sauce makes the potatoes creamy and rich. This matters because it builds your confidence in the kitchen. You learn as you go.
Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Potato Questions Answered
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes! Just use your favorite gluten-free flour blend.
Q: How far ahead can I prepare it?
A: You can assemble it a full day before baking.
Q: What cheese can I swap for cheddar?
A: Gruyère or Monterey Jack work wonderfully here.
Q: Can I make a smaller portion?
A: Absolutely. Just halve the ingredients and use a smaller dish.
Q: Any optional add-ins?
A: A cup of diced ham would be a tasty addition. Fun fact: This dish is a classic at family gatherings in the American Midwest.
Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope this recipe becomes a favorite in your home. It always brings back happy memories for me. I love seeing your own kitchen creations.
Share a picture of your finished dish with everyone. It is so fun to see your results.
Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!
Happy cooking!
—Olivia Hartwell.
French Onion Funeral Potatoes A Meat Lovers Snack
Description
A rich and comforting casserole featuring cheesy hash browns, a creamy, savory sauce, and a topping of homemade crispy fried onions.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- To prepare the main mixture, combine the thawed hash browns, melted butter, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream in a large bowl. Mix until everything is well incorporated and set the bowl aside.
- For the sauce, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the diced onions until they are soft and translucent, which should take 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne, and dried mustard into the skillet. Cook this roux for about a minute while stirring. Gradually pour in the chicken broth and milk, whisking continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and thickens.
- Pour the finished sauce over the potato and cheese mixture, stirring thoroughly to coat everything evenly. Transfer the combined ingredients to your prepared baking dish.
- Bake the casserole for 45 to 50 minutes, until it is heated through and the edges are bubbly.
- While the casserole bakes, heat vegetable oil in a deep saucepan to 350°F (175°C). Working in batches to avoid crowding, fry the thinly sliced onion rings for 2 to 5 minutes until they turn a light golden brown and become crisp. Remove the onions with a slotted spoon and let them drain on paper towels, then season them with salt immediately. Once the casserole is out of the oven, top it generously with the homemade crispy onions before serving.
Notes
- For a quicker version, you can use store-bought French fried onions instead of making your own crispy onions.
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