French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe

Introduction

French Onion Funeral Potatoes are a comforting, cheesy casserole perfect for family gatherings or potlucks. With crispy fried onions on top and a rich, creamy sauce, this dish is sure to become a favorite side.

Ingredients

• 32 ounces frozen cubed hash browns, thawed
• ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups (226 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 ½ cups (345 g) sour cream
• ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• ¼ cup (31 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried mustard
• ½ cup (120 g) chicken broth, room temperature
• ½ cup (122.5 g) whole milk, room temperature
• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced, layers separated (about 4 cups)
• 4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable oil
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt (for fried onions)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the thawed hash browns, melted butter, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Mix well and set aside.
3. Step 3: In a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat, melt ¼ cup butter. Add the diced small yellow onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute.
4. Step 4: Stir in the flour, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and dried mustard. Cook for 1 minute while stirring.
5. Step 5: Slowly whisk in the whole milk and chicken broth until smooth. Continue cooking and whisking until the sauce thickens.
6. Step 6: Pour the sauce into the potato mixture and mix until well combined. Transfer everything to the prepared baking dish.
7. Step 7: Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and heated through.
8. Step 8: While the casserole bakes, prepare the fried onions. Line a large baking sheet with two layers of paper towels and set aside.
9. Step 9: Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over high heat to 350°F.
10. Step 10: Working in batches, fry about 1 cup of the thinly sliced onions at a time, stirring occasionally, until they turn pale golden brown, about 2-5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon or fine mesh strainer and place in a single layer on the paper towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining onions.
11. Step 11: Sprinkle the fried onions with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and toss to coat evenly.
12. Step 12: Remove the casserole from the oven and evenly sprinkle the fried onions on top.
13. Step 13: Serve the casserole warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, use a mix of sharp and smoked cheddar cheeses.
• Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangier option.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, replace chicken broth with vegetable broth.
• Make fried onions ahead and store them separately so they stay crispy when adding to the casserole.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to maintain texture. Avoid microwaving, which can make the casserole soggy. Keep fried onions separate and add fresh before serving to preserve crispness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?

Yes, you can grate fresh potatoes and dry them thoroughly before using. Frozen hash browns are convenient but fresh potatoes work well too.

How can I make this dish ahead of time?

Prepare the casserole up to the baking step, cover it, and refrigerate overnight. Bake just before serving, adding fried onions after baking to keep them crispy.

French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 485 reviews

French Onion Funeral Potatoes is a comforting casserole dish featuring a creamy blend of hash browns, sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream, topped with crispy homemade fried onions. Inspired by the rich flavors of French onion soup, this hearty baked dish combines a savory onion sauce with a crunchy onion topping for a deliciously satisfying meal or side dish.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potato Mixture

• 32 ounces frozen cubed hash browns, thawed
• ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups (226 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 ½ cups (345 g) sour cream

Sauce

• ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• ¼ cup (31 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried mustard
• ½ cup (120 g) chicken broth, room temperature
• ½ cup (122.5 g) whole milk, room temperature

Fried Onions

• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced, layers separated (about 4 cups onions)
• 4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable oil
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prepare it for the casserole.
2. Prepare Potato Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the thawed cubed hash browns, melted butter, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Mix thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of ingredients. Set aside.
3. Make Sauce: In a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat, melt ¼ cup butter. Add the diced small yellow onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
4. Add Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and dried mustard. Stir and cook the mixture for about one minute to cook the flour and spices.
5. Add Liquids and Thicken Sauce: Gradually whisk in the whole milk and chicken broth at room temperature. Keep whisking and cooking until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth, ensuring there are no lumps.
6. Combine Sauce and Potatoes: Pour the thickened sauce into the potato mixture bowl. Stir well to combine everything evenly. Then, transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
7. Bake Casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and heated through.
8. Prepare Fried Onions: While the casserole bakes, line a large baking sheet with two layers of paper towels. Heat 4 cups of vegetable oil in a large saucepan over high heat to 350°F (175°C).
9. Fry Onion Layers: Working in batches, carefully add about 1 cup of the thinly sliced onion layers to the hot oil. Fry, stirring occasionally, until onions turn pale golden brown, about 2-5 minutes. Use a fine mesh strainer or slotted spoon to remove the fried onions and place them evenly on the lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining onions, ensuring oil temperature returns to 350°F before each batch.
10. Season Fried Onions: Sprinkle the hot fried onions with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and toss gently to coat evenly.
11. Add Fried Onions to Casserole: After the casserole has baked, remove it from the oven and evenly sprinkle the crispy fried onions on top.
12. Serve Warm: Serve the French Onion Funeral Potatoes immediately while warm for the best creamy and crunchy texture experience.

Notes

• For best results, ensure hash browns are fully thawed before mixing to avoid excess moisture.
• Keeping the milk and broth at room temperature helps achieve a smooth sauce without lumps.
• Thinly slicing onions and frying them in small batches ensures evenly crisp fried onions.
• Adjust cayenne pepper to control spiciness according to preference.
• This dish pairs well with green salads or steamed vegetables as a main or side dish.

Keywords: French Onion Funeral Potatoes, casserole, hash browns, fried onions, cheesy potato bake, comfort food, baked casserole